Rugby - Tours Tours Everywhere!

[LDiCesare]

In other news, Toulon is now definitely first of the Pro D2 French competition. Which means they'll play in Top14 French championship next year.
I don't know who will stay, but Umaga shoul remain coach, and Dan Carter has been announced. Current players include Gregan, Luger and lots of former glories who seem to believe the Mediterranean is a nice place to end their rugby days. It should be interesting to watch the RCT next year. They might compete seriously with the current French powerhouses (Toulouse, Clermont, the Stade Français).

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
A real dilemma for you - either myself or the nose will be insufferable on Sunday.

Gee, the original Sophie's Choice. On balance, I'd probably have to support Leicester, only because it will throw the coach a lifeline. Under all of the circumstances - World Cup year, taking up the reins late, the #10 being a liability as often as he was an asset, the coach's chief assistant undermining him - sacking him would be unfair in the extreme. From my observations, the forwards and defence coaches should be under the microscope as much as anyone.

The classic ABs won of course.

Classic? Looks like a mixture of once-were-greats and never-weres.

I don't know who will stay, but Umaga shoul remain coach, and Dan Carter has been announced.

Announced or confirmed? He's denying it, but who knows? I don't think Victor Matfield is staying. And George Gregan will probably struggle at the higher level.

[Havak]

Did you say Luger was with Toulon? I thought he was long retired.

It might be unfair in the extreme Finbar but my priority is what is right for the club. Marcelo comes across to me as a really nice bloke who just doesn't understand the pressure of expectation that goes with being Tigers head coach.

Beating Wasps will secure his post for next season - losing to them still leaves him in serious trouble I think.

None of which says you are wrong - Cockerill and Neil Back have to take a good long look at themselves too.

I am also a bit confused as you seem to have repeated the rugby definition of Classic?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Did you say Luger was with Toulon? I thought he was long retired.

Ah yes. Mr Luger. Amongst other things, including fanciful tries, Jonah Lomu's personal footpath.

It might be unfair in the extreme Finbar but my priority is what is right for the club. Marcelo comes across to me as a really nice bloke who just doesn't understand the pressure of expectation that goes with being Tigers head coach.

I think the pressure of expectation has smacked him right between the eyes. I'm sure it's been a huge shock to him. Obviously the priority is what's right for the club, but my point is that what's right for the club isn't yet clear.

Beating Wasps will secure his post for next season - losing to them still leaves him in serious trouble I think.

I think you're right. It's a silly situation. If he survives, it's all down to Varndell's last-minute try, over which the coach had no control or say whatsoever.

I am also a bit confused as you seem to have repeated the rugby definition of Classic?

And I'm sure the Classic ABs gave the young Leicester chaps a masterclass in drinking afterwards.

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Not many teams were going to stop Wasps in the first half. Great performance. Leicester tried hard in the second but, with the odd exception, were still playing one-pace slugging rugby. I'm not sure what the Kiwi flanker was doing in the team. The Wasps back row made him look silly. Aaron Mauger showed some glimpses of what he can do. If only he had more opportunity. I'm also not sure that Martin Corry is doing the club any great favours by playing on another year. I suspect a judicious clean out is in order.

EDIT. Oh, and the Crusaders rolled the Waratahs in the S14 final. Deservedly. Too strong in defence, too classy around the paddock. As of now, Robbie Deans is the Wallabies coach. Should be interesting. He has some terrific young talent at his disposal. Unfortunately, it's all behind the pack. The lack of a front row is going to haunt him.

[Havak]

Trouble is that one dimensional driving game is pretty effective against the insects - and had they hit it earlier it could have been a very different result.

Certainly I expect a blind side to protect his stand off a little bit better. Croft should have started. If Cozza had a role it was as number 8 - but then Crane is now a better option there I think.

And we do need a class openside.

But coaching is where the most interesting changes will occur - if Marcelo stays both English lads (Cockerill and Back) will surely be on the road. All three might go - or the English lads might stay and Marcelo goes.

So congrats to the insects - 'runner up champions' for the fourth time. No team has exploited the system more - or more eloquently shown that we shouldn't slavishly copy everything that S14 does.

I was a little conflicted last year when Tigers exploited the system to win the title but ultimately I still think the play offs are a terrible idea. They might make sense in a 14 week tournament of 13 qualifying games - but they make no sense for a league of 22 games over eight months. Sadly we are stuck with them meaning many more chances for Wasps to 'win' the title.

Oh and on the subject of below par officiating - Van Gisbergen fumbles a ball and then Simon Shaw drops on it from the clearest offside position you will ever see. Unless you are Mr Barnes who did not see it at all that is. Kiwis will know Mr Barnes from a certain game in Cardiff. I now agree with them.

Hipkiss picked up a scratched eye on Saturday - Hodgson clashed heads with the Jerminator on Sunday and came off far the worse. Should Charlie not recover this means either Flood opposes Carter or *shudder* Goode may get a call up.

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Good to see Rob Andrew getting in some early practice with his excuses. England struggled against an average Baa-Baas team because the Baa-Baas "turned up to stop us playing, very unlike the Barbarians of old". In other words, they tried to compete. Not that I saw the match. It wasn't shown here. But from the extensive highlights I did see, England just looked poor and uncoordinated.

[Havak]

The pack was shockingly poor - but then it was missing most of the players who will tour in NZ or play in the Churchill cup.

Given the talent ton display the Barbarians were even worse.

Bets moment of the game? Larkham running up to Easter after the latter scored a try seemingly with every intent of starting a fist fight.

Harrison - bound for bath I understand - was his classic self. Niggly and borderline legal for the most part.

Regan taught the young English lad (Paice) that experience and attitude can overcome youth and talent - he got to Paice very early on and took him offf his game.

Jerry put some effort in - but then it was his shop window n'est pas?

[finbar]

I somehow missed your first post of the day. The ref had a very ordinary day. As quick and powerful as the Wasps back row were, they spent a lot of time offside. Not, I think, that it mattered. They were simply too quick for the plodding Leicester chaps. Especially when the only Leicester player capable of matching them was on the bench! With the likes of Rees, Haskell, Croft and even Lipman, England have the building blocks for a wonderful back row for years to come. All they need is a #8 with matching ability. Nick Easter's captaincy of the B team yesterday seems to suggest he's going to remain first choice and he ain't in the other guys' class.

I'm sure Leicester's one-dimensional driving game could have upset Wasps. It would upset a lot of teams. Unfortunately, at this point in time, it's their only weapon, apart from one-out Lomu-like efforts from the big winger.

[Havak]

And when you look at our team's backline - Mauger, Hipkiss, Tuilagi, Varndell and Murphy - it's criminal that their massive talents are not being unlocked.

Much has to lie with the stand off and his inability to release his back line properly?

As you know I have nailed my flag to the mast on the number 8 - I think Crane is the man. He has his detractors - most suggest he is not a big enough man (only 6' 1" and 17 stones). Lets see how he does with the Churchill Cup squad.

Sackey and Hipkiss have both been ruled out of the NZ tour now. Varndell and Waldouck have been called up. Hodgson must have made the tour after all.

Waldouck is the big lad who played inside centre for the insects on Saturday. Normally on the wing he is a good prospect.

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Yes, #10 is the problem. Heck, Butch James is far from the most creative #10 in the world and he manages to unleash the Bath backs. A quality #10 would involve Mauger as he should be involved and the rest should flow accordingly.

I think Crane is big enough. The last couple of times I've seen him I've been surprised by what seemed to be a lack of speed. I thought I'd seen him with more speed in the past. What's happened to the guy with the hyphenated name who had so much potential last season until he broke his leg?

I've seen Waldouck quite a few times. Talent. I think I mentioned him quite a while ago. What interests me most now, though, is the wing pecking order. Obviously Sackey was one of the starting wingers. Does Ojo's original selection in front of Varndell push him up into Sackey's spot? Or does Varndell's superior experience edge him?

[Caligastia]

If you’ve been in a white person’s apartment or home you might have noticed a ball that looks like a cross between an egg and a football. It is a Rugby ball and it is an important sport for white people.

They love Rugby for a number of reasons, the first of which is the fact that it is not very popular in North America. In fact, it is even less popular than soccer which gives a white person that all important edge in the contest to see who likes the most obscure sport. Though this is important, it is not the real reason why white people love the sport so much.

Rugby’s greatest appeal lies in its uniforms.

Unlike other sports where jerseys are made out of nylon or mesh, Rugby jerseys are like thick sweatshirts with collars! In fact there is no other jersey on earth that can move so seamlessly from the playing field to the farmers market

Many white people first acquire a love of rugby during their high school and college years by playing either for a school team or in the case of highly advanced white people-part of an intramural league. In fact, many white people will continue to play the sport into their early 30s at local parks on Saturday morning. If you are looking to expand your group of white friends, you would be wise to get yourself invited to one of these games. However, you should be prepared to have your crotch grabbed.

Though playing the sport is the most common way for white people to become interested in Rugby, a great number of them pick up a taste for the game while studying abroad in Australia or New Zealand. Like soccer, they are given the chance to purchase a scarf of their adopted team, but more importantly they can acquire a Rugby jersey. Unlike a soccer scarf, they can wear this garment all year long which provides for a more reliable trinket that can be used to initiate conversations about their time down under. For extra credit, some white people will declare that they are into Australian Rules Football and not Rugby. If you wish to friend this person, it’s best to ask them about the differences in rules because they will be thrilled to tell you.

Aside from playing the game with white people, there is one other surefire way to use rugby for your own personal gain. If you have determined that the white person you are talking to prefers rugby over soccer, it is strongly advised that you say: “you know, American Football players might be bigger, but rugby players are so much tougher.” Their response will be to tell you about how Football players are weak because they wear pads. This will be followed by a knowing nod or wink in your direction and an invitation to join them for a game on the weekend.

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/04/10/95-rugby/

[Havak]

I can see what the writer was aiming for - but they miss the mark somwhat I think.

Finbar - Ojo did himself few favours in the Barbarians game. Not that it was entirely his fault.

I think Strettle and Topsy remain favourites though.

[finbar]

I have no idea what that means. I tried to go to the site but it jammed every browser I have on the computer. Apparently it's a blog run by an aspiring LA comedy writer, aspiring being the operative word.

In other news, the NZRFU has confirmed that Dan Carter will be taking a sabbatical, missing next season's S14 to play in the NH - either Toulouse or Toulon, it seems - before returning to NZ.

In other very depressing news, the Tri-Nations will be played under the ELVs, but including the unlimited numbers in a line out law, and worst of all, the "pull down the mall" law. Bustards!

[Havak]

Man the barricades - our game is under attack!