Rugby - The Game They Play In Heaven II

[finbar]

Nice Wallaby effort. Shame they were so wasteful with ball in hand, particularly in the first half. Still, the forwards turned up, back row in particular, and the vaunted Lions back row was negated. Honorable mention, though, to Faletau who never stopped trying. Wallaby backs shredded the Welsh defence often enough to have had two or three more tries. Frustrating. Still, Fatland blames the ref. What an odious dolt Fatland is. That's the 9th loss to the Wallabies in succession, the 22nd loss to a SANZAR team out of 23 matches under Fatland's hand. Time to be rid of Fatland, boyos.

[Havak]

Always the bridesmaids.

I thought Barnes had a very solid game myself.

Wales have the same old problems - they can raise it in the six nations, most notably against England of course, but they just cannot threaten the SH big three. Credit to them for hanging in but the Wobblies really should have won that more comfortably.

*The Great White Whale has been named as Coach of the year at the UK Coaching awards. Constant self promotion can be effective it seems.

[kittenOFchaos]

Remarkably quiet gentlemen.

For my own part work has taken over my life. This is truly an abhorrent state of affairs and not part of the master-plan.

Better news is I'm almost a home-owner

Some terrific Heineken Cup rugby over the past fortnight with the exception of Glasgow Vs Cardiff Blues which was one of the worst games I've seen in a long time.

Is it just me or is Dean Ryan lining himself up for a career in rugby punditry? Almost every day there is some article quoting him. Most recently in praise of Danny Cipriani. Perhaps Ryan has given up on Worcester already and who would blame him

[finbar]

Been a bit busy m'self recently. Congrats on acquiring your own castle, kOc.

Dean Ryan is probably looking for a job anywhere after his season's coaching. Oh, and there's definitely a media push on for Cipriani. He's actually played pretty well this season. For all his failings, I'd give him a chance in front of the black hole that is Farrell Jnr.

Seasons Greetings to all! We're off to Naples for 10 days in search of some warmer weather.

[finbar]

Mmmmm. Watching Sarries -v- Leicester. Penalty try to Sarries. Merry Christmas, Havak!

And Flood off to France? Interesting decision. I wonder whether Lancaster has told him his England future is limited.

[Havak]

Most probably. And Happy New year both.

I'm still in denial about the Sarries result, and hardly over Cockers latest outburst after the Sale game (A Steve Diamond coached team cheats? Shocker!). Perfect time to welcome the old enemy to Welford Road. Or not.

Cockers may have just signed a new long term deal but that won't mean a dime if he fails to make the play offs. I still recall how ruthlessly the club dismissed Deano (who brought them four titles on the bounce and back to back European Cups).

[Havak]

And we scraped a draw with literallly the last play of the game as Gibson sneaked over. He looks a pretty capable young player incidentally.

A really hard season this one, but then when I look at the (huge) injury list we have three British Lions on that long term - most clubs would suffer with losses like that.

If we can just sneak into fourth and get the boys all fit I don't think any side would fancy us in the play offs.

I've grown to really hate Sarries. They are very very good at what they do but they are also so blatantly breaching the salary cap that it is no longer at all amusing. Hard to see how Saints are compliant either. I suspect both outfits are giving players back end deals (the old wriggles such as consulting jobs for the spouses).

[finbar]

Only saw the first half of Tigers -v- Treviso. Pretty average stuff against a team of triers. Couldn't believe how McLean and Williams sliced Tigers open as they did a few times. Little fat Ben Youngs is a mystery to me. He can play some decent rugby but then - as yesterday - make 20 yards with a quick tap, then, under no pressure, pass it to no one.

I enjoyed watching Sarries being exposed by Toulouse. Toulouse just shut them down and Sarries had absolutely no answers.

[kittenOFchaos]

I enjoyed watching Sarries being exposed by Toulouse. Toulouse just shut them down and Sarries had absolutely no answers.

Zebre 6 - Toulouse 16

Toulouse are perpetual disappointments. Occasionally they get it up, but most of the time they are limp.

Toulouse vs Saracens last week was the difference between me winning £100 or £1100 (needed Saracens within 5). Today I expected Toulouse to win by far more than that...so clearly I'm not impressed with either team at the moment.

[finbar]

Toulouse will do that to you. And they picked an arguably stronger team against Zebre than against Sarries.

And, today, flat-track bullies Sarries buried Connacht.

[kittenOFchaos]

Well, no top-flight rugby this coming weekend - LV Cup nonsense

[finbar]

Indeed. I don't know why they bother.

[finbar]

Wales, France, Ireland.

[finbar]

Two out of two. Wales playing their same old limited boshing game, Italy lifting enormously after some dire performances in the autumn. Injuries forced Brunel's hand in the backs selection, four of the young Italian backs had 7 caps between them. An early costly error by Esposito aside, they acquitted themselves very well. Michele Campagnaro looks like a nice young prospect at 13. Why Wales can't or won't use their only real threat, North, coming off the wing more is a mystery.

England's first half hour was rubbish and it cost them. The French looked strangely out of puff in the second half. England had enough possession to do the job but absolutely no cutting edge. 36 is out of his depth and Farrell Jnr really only a plodder.

[kittenOFchaos]

Farrell Jnr really only a plodder.

Thought Farrell had a decent game overall...he did try running it and played the corners well at time.

36 for all his faults was very involved in the game as was Nowell. Not got time to really go into things, but I thought the English scrum was particularly abysmal, particularly with Mako and Youngs.

Ross Ford