07-02-2004 17:28									#271
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare Finbar, you should try reading Stanislaw Lem's "His Master's Voice".

Okay, I'll check it out.

quote: As for the 6 nations (sorry to be on topic), don't underestimate Wales this year. They showed good things in the World Cup and could beat any one of the big teams on a given match. But maybe I'm just dreaming.

It will be very interesting to see whether they can carry on from - indeed, hopefully, build on - their form in the WRC. They looked to have some talented young players.

	07-02-2004 17:38									#272
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Samurai Yoriki and their magistrate investigating the disappearance of another magistrate.

I turned on FoxSports this arvo and what do I see? A replay of Toulouse -v- Osprey from a couple of weeks ago. Good first half from Toulouse in terrible conditions, slack second half. That Baby person looks like he can play a bit. I shall say nothing about Mam'zelle Lab1tch's hair colour!

Edit. Sacking their coach has done Leicester the world of good. They actually scored 3 points this week against Sale, an improvement on the usual 0. Unfortunately for Leicester, Sale also scored 3 points. Mmmm. Reads suspiciously like a s***** scoreline, doesn't it? Maybe Leicester have tried using a different shaped ball in an attempt to win a match.

	08-02-2004 09:26									#273
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quote: Originally posted by finbar It will be very interesting to see whether they can carry on from - indeed, hopefully, build on - their form in the WRC. They looked to have some talented young players.

When they have the ball.
If they were more professional, and can get enough ball in the forwards, they can do damage.
Can they get that platform?
I personally don't think they can, but for pure flair with the ball in hand they will be great to watch.

	09-02-2004 05:05									#274
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Samurai Yoriki and their magistrate investigating the disappearance of another magistrate.

Let me guess, Samurai Yoriki gains XP according to the number of peasants heads he removes for the unpardonable sin of insufficient bowing and scraping?
All in character of course.

quote: Originally posted by LdiCesare As for the 6 nations (sorry to be on topic), don't underestimate Wales this year. They showed good things in the World Cup and could beat any one of the big teams on a given match.

With a bit of luck there might be more than 3 nations in the 6N this year.
If they can retain some of the form they showed I could see them going a long way. I doubt they'd actually win it but I could see them reaching the final.



Not that it's worth winning of course.

	09-02-2004 05:08									#275
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What are you doing out of bed so early? Or have you moved to a sensible part of the country?

	09-02-2004 05:45									#276
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Early?

We don't all work from home y'know. Some of us have to get in early to beat the traffic.

Besides which - getting in at 07:30 at ~19C is infinitely preferable to getting in at 08:30 at ~28C.

All rather depressing really.

	09-02-2004 07:03									#277
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It's 38C and 70% humidity here. Painful stuff.

	09-02-2004 11:07									#278
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Out: Neil Back

In: Henry Paul.

The smilie for this one is yet to be created.

Last edited by finbar on 09-02-2004 at 12:02

	09-02-2004 13:48									#279
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quote: Mmmm. NH Tri Nations, SH Tri Nations. There's little difference.

The quality of ours is probably higher – because no team struggles for motivation against England. Does RSA-Aus really fire the players or the public imagination anymore?

quote: I look forward to seeing England taking on better oppo than Italy with half your team retired and the other half out with his shoulder injury.

I suspected Clive would pick an unusual side – and he certainly has.

quote: To be even more honest finbar's homepage hosts a younger and even more exciting lineup. Probably play better rugby too.

Come back to me when the ABs or Australia finally register a win against us. So June then?

quote: Robocop doesn't even bear mentioning. :barf:

Heretic!!

I’ve also read such as Stephen Baxter (enjoyed Moondust particularly) and ‘classics’ such as the Foundation trilogy – does that meet your approval?

quote: Maybe Leicester have tried using a different shaped ball in an attempt to win a match.

The game was played in absolutely torrential rain in Stockport. Parts of the pitch must have had an inch of standing water on it. I’m surprised two penalties were scored to be honest with you. Still two points is better than none I guess?

quote: Out: Neil Back In: Henry Paul. The smilie for this one is yet to be created.

Bracken and Corry – both in the RWC final 22 – were also dropped. Is it the end of Back? Maybe…Clive is either looking to the future - or simply avoiding injuries amongst the seniors of the squad for the later bigger games.

Personally I think Clive is intent on proving that Jonno was the key to the RWC success rather than him – but I guess that is hardly the view of a neutral.

	09-02-2004 14:39									#280
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quote: Originally posted by Havak The quality of ours is probably higher – because no team struggles for motivation against England. Does RSA-Aus really fire the players or the public imagination anymore?

My word it does. Particularly when played in SA.

quote: Still two points is better than none I guess?

For you? These days? It's Christmas.

quote: Bracken and Corry – both in the RWC final 22 – were also dropped. Is it the end of Back? Maybe…Clive is either looking to the future - or simply avoiding injuries amongst the seniors of the squad for the later bigger games.

My view: he's resting Bracken, and trying out the alternatives. Back, barring unforseen events, has had his day. All good things must come to an end eventually. I don't know enough about Corry.

	09-02-2004 15:17									#281
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quote: My word it does. Particularly when played in SA.

But there was no sign of it last year? Just like the Wallabies hardly turned up for the home game with the ABs. I think in all honesty you guys play each other too much – it loses that special nature of the fixture.

quote: For you? These days? It's Christmas.

Too true – and I accepting all gifts.

quote: Back, barring unforseen events, has had his day. All good things must come to an end eventually. I don't know enough about Corry.

Knowing when to walk away – it’s a huge thing for a player. Note I am not disagreeing with you.
Corry played some part in all three Lions tests – see if you can catch the inevitable repeats. He is a very good player but suffers because he is versatile (can cover 4-8) and because he could never usurp Dally in Clive’s mind. In many ways he is the better player (IMO).
The team should be named for mid-day here – will let you know how radical it is!

	09-02-2004 16:09									#282
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I think in all honesty you guys play each other too much – it loses that special nature of the fixture.

Tri-Nations is home and away. Two Tests each. One more than you play in the 6 Nations.

quote: Corry played some part in all three Lions tests – see if you can catch the inevitable repeats. He is a very good player but suffers because he is versatile (can cover 4-8) and because he could never usurp Dally in Clive’s mind. In many ways he is the better player (IMO).

After Dallaglio's efforts in the WRC, he's lucky to be in the team let alone captain, IMHO.

BTW, Dawson's canning of Graham Henry on the Lions Tour was quoted here. I think it's from his book. How the Lions were leading at halftime, Quinnell was playing a blinder, the coach said to stop leaving all the work to Quinnell and go through other channels. Dawson blamed that for the loss. That wasn't why they lost the match.

	09-02-2004 16:53									#283
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quote: Tri-Nations is home and away. Two Tests each. One more than you play in the 6 Nations.

So you are playing twice as much as I think you should.

quote: After Dallaglio's efforts in the WRC, he's lucky to be in the team let alone captain, IMHO.

No argument here.

quote: Dawson blamed that for the loss. That wasn't why they lost the match.

Dawson is an okay scrummie – and an over opinionated young man as well.

Which is not to say there is no truth in it. Henry was a disaster back then. He had game plans that required learning in detail nine phases of play…patterns rather than unstructured offence…

If he does that to the All Blacks it will be a similar disaster.

Exploring other channels did not lose that series. Of far more direct influence was Jonny’s shockingly risky pass in his own 22 just after half time in Melbourne – oh and that absolutely heinous piece of foul play with the swinging elbow from Nathan for which he was never punished by the ARU – surprising absolutely no one in the UK. I am surprised Hill didn’t get cited by the Aussies for hurting Grey’s elbow though!

It now seems certain by the way that the Aussie TV companies actively helped the Wallabies crack the line out calls – Martin says he is certain Eales and Plank knew the calls as he made several fast switches and the Wallabies moved to counter as quick as he could call in Sydney. That’s what I like about Australia – winning means so much they will play 20 million versus 22 if need be.

*Edit*

Interesting selection.

England: I Balshaw (Bath); J Lewsey (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton); P Grayson (Northampton), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps, captain).

Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Borthwick (Bath), C Jones (Sale Sharks), M Dawson (Northampton), O Barkley (Bath), H Paul (Gloucester).

Potentially a very dangerous backline. But Robbo is no centre - and the bench looks rather weak if things go badly up front. It's very possible they will lose this one.

	10-02-2004 03:22									#284
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quote: Originally posted by Havak So you are playing twice as much as I think you should.

quote: Which is not to say there is no truth in it. Henry was a disaster back then. He had game plans that required learning in detail nine phases of play…patterns rather than unstructured offence…

And nothing else when they didn't work. That's one of the problems with such highly structured play.

quote: It now seems certain by the way that the Aussie TV companies actively helped the Wallabies crack the line out calls – Martin says he is certain Eales and Plank knew the calls as he made several fast switches and the Wallabies moved to counter as quick as he could call in Sydney. That’s what I like about Australia – winning means so much they will play 20 million versus 22 if need be.

But of course. If J**** thinks something, it must be so.

quote: Potentially a very dangerous backline. But Robbo is no centre - and the bench looks rather weak if things go badly up front. It's very possible they will lose this one.

Obviously highly unlikely against Italy. We just have to wait to see whether these experiments continue against the stronger teams.

	10-02-2004 05:35									#285
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Come back to me when the ABs or Australia finally register a win against us. So June then?

I'll be sure to do that. After all, a Welshman might actually be a bit of a motivational advantage while your lot have King Clive at the helm.
It goes without saying, of course, that you won't see me for dust if it doesn't happen.


So who exactly is this Paul Grayson lad who's leaping into the breach to boldy go where Wilco went before ... yadda yadda yadda?
I don't recall his name coming up before.
More to the point, is he class enough to take the role of centrepiece about which the rest of the team revolves, or are they going to have to change their gameplan to compensate?


Almost missed this ...

http://www.planetrugby.com/News/story_34079.shtml

The former head of the ARU, John O'Neill, in his announcement upon taking up the reins of Soccer Australia ...

quote: "I think anyone who supports Australian sport will tell you that they would love to see the Socceroos be successful and that's certainly what I would like to help achieve," O'Neill said. "But I should say I'm not a miracle worker ... I don't have a magic wand. "It takes time. It's a matter of getting the building blocks in place. Creating a good product and then the broadcasters come, and the sponsors come, and the fans come."

Hmmm. Sounds suspiciously like the same thing the last chap appointed to head up that auspicious body came up with.
He's right with the "it takes time" line but if I were you John I'd start looking around for a quality second-hand magic wand.
When the large majority of both your player base and your fan base consists primarily of the 10% of the population recently emigrated from Italy, Greece and the Balkans then you've got your work cut out for you.

	10-02-2004 05:42									#286
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Interesting selection. England: I Balshaw (Bath); J Lewsey (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton); P Grayson (Northampton), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps, captain). Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Borthwick (Bath), C Jones (Sale Sharks), M Dawson (Northampton), O Barkley (Bath), H Paul (Gloucester). Potentially a very dangerous backline. But Robbo is no centre - and the bench looks rather weak if things go badly up front. It's very possible they will lose this one.

Oh, I agree. It is obviously an attempt to see how the strike running is going.
On what I have seen Alex King would have been worth a look at in this fixture.
In the big fixtures this year, I think that the experiment will be the 10/12 rotating system that worked in the WC later stages in the second half against Wales and against France.
There is a lot of talk about how Wilkinson needs to be protected and about Charlie Hodgsons ability.
If they both were fit, I would expect that England will look at playing two 10's and rotating and see how, and in what situations , this is superior to the current back system.
Henry Paul's selection is a look at the midfield balance as well, .

	10-02-2004 05:53									#287
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quote: Originally posted by ravagon So who exactly is this Paul Grayson lad who's leaping into the breach to boldy go where Wilco went before ... yadda yadda yadda? I don't recall his name coming up before. More to the point, is he class enough to take the role of centrepiece about which the rest of the team revolves, or are they going to have to change their gameplan to compensate?

He is the England 10 from before Wilkinson.
Decent player, passes ok, tackles ok, kicks as well as anyone tactically, average with the ball in hand at test level.
An old school English 10, basically.
In this team to do the kicking as a safety valve, really.

	10-02-2004 07:19									#288
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Paul Grayson is efficient though not creative, this is at least the way I remember him...

As far as I remember, England's games under his leadership were rather unimaginative.

	10-02-2004 14:18									#289
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quote: And nothing else when they didn't work. That's one of the problems with such highly structured play.

More than that Finbar Mr Henry apparently had several tantrums when players took ‘improvised’ options in games instead of obeying his ‘structures’.

quote: But of course. If J**** thinks something, it must be so.

I trust his opinions of events on the rugby field. He is a far more astute reader of the game than most pundits ever give him credit for. If he says the Wallabies sussed the calls then they sussed the calls. If on the other hand he says he thinks that is because Aussie TV tried every trick in the book to film the Lions training that’s just an opinion I give consideration to. And then find it extremely likely indeed.

Have you watched the IRBs RWC 03 official review Video/DVD? It’s worth watching – I’d been blessed with ITV commentary for the live event so getting to hear the Aussie commentary on games was very amusing indeed. As my welcher mate said when lending it to me – “watch it with the sound off”.

quote: Obviously highly unlikely against Italy. We just have to wait to see whether these experiments continue against the stronger teams.

There may be a clue in Clive’s words from yesterday afternoon: “I don’t think we have seen the last of Neil’s England career yet”.

quote: I'll be sure to do that…It goes without saying, of course, that you won't see me for dust if it doesn't happen.

I’d be disappointed if you reacted any other way to either result.

quote: So who exactly is this Paul Grayson lad who's leaping into the breach to boldy go where Wilco went before ... yadda yadda yadda?

As Flipside says he was the incumbent for the 99 RWC. Spent three years without a cap and is now on a second wind. Definitely old school.

Plays for Northampton but apart from that he is quite a nice lad. Kicking game is very solid – distribution can be suspect (sorry to disagree on that Flipside). Game plan will need to adapt I suspect. We shall see.

quote: Henry Paul's selection is a look at the midfield balance as well, .

I would really have liked to see the Greenwood-Smith option tried in midfield. Paul has been playing well, and deserves a chance, but Smith is a far classier act.

Notice the lack of loose forward cover on the bench? Jones can cover back three but he is really a lock…what do we do when Hill goes off hurt?

	10-02-2004 15:02									#290
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I trust his opinions of events on the rugby field. He is a far more astute reader of the game than most pundits ever give him credit for. If he says the Wallabies sussed the calls then they sussed the calls. If on the other hand he says he thinks that is because Aussie TV tried every trick in the book to film the Lions training that’s just an opinion I give consideration to. And then find it extremely likely indeed.

But of course. And if he said Mr Blair is God and Mr Hoon His son, you'd be on your knees in front of the telly news every night.

quote: As my welcher mate said when lending it to me – “watch it with the sound off”.

Don't give it back to him. On my behalf.

	10-02-2004 15:27									#291
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Notice the lack of loose forward cover on the bench? Jones can cover back three but he is really a lock…what do we do when Hill goes off hurt?

Judging by the last lions tour, lose and then moan about dirty play, the coaching, media intrusion, line out calls, the current selection policy and the utter unfairness of it all.

	10-02-2004 15:57									#292
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I've complained about all those and more in relation to that tour. And I'm right too.

	11-02-2004 04:31									#293
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FoxSports isn't showing the 6 Nations here! Not even replays! Yet we get month-old replays of the Heineken Cup!

Who has the 6 Nations broadcast rights over there?

Edit. The BBC has the domestic rights. So who is "Setanta"? The Crusaders - Kiwi S12 outfit - have negotiated with broadcast rights-holders Setanta to show the 6 Nations broadcast live at their club venue. Presumably Setanta hold the international distribution rights. If the Crusaders can purchase the rights, why can't FoxSports!

Last edited by finbar on 11-02-2004 at 04:43

	11-02-2004 04:59									#294
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quote: Originally posted by finbar So who is "Setanta"?

The hound will always beat the fox.
Finbar, do you genuinely not know who "Setanta" is?

It is a VERY famous name in Ulster mythology.

	11-02-2004 05:08									#295
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quote: Originally posted by finbar FoxSports isn't showing the 6 Nations here! Not even replays! Yet we get month-old replays of the Heineken Cup! Who has the 6 Nations broadcast rights over there? Edit. The BBC has the domestic rights. So who is "Setanta"? The Crusaders - Kiwi S12 outfit - have negotiated with broadcast rights-holders Setanta to show the 6 Nations broadcast live at their club venue. Presumably Setanta hold the international distribution rights. If the Crusaders can purchase the rights, why can't FoxSports!

*flipside has a serous moment*

In Ulster mythology "Setanta" is the nephew of King Conor MacNeasa, ummm............. ends up being called "Cuchulainn."
It also is the name of an Irish company that distributes sports to the pubs and clubs of the U.S and Australia.

	11-02-2004 05:34									#296
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I've just checked the website and apparantly all Australian users need to check with their Sydney office why they are not covering the 6N.
If you wish to see the games, I'm sure that Havak or Tamerlin will record them and send the tapes to you.
If this is not possible, I would happily send them them to you if you wish.

I work on a Saturday anyway and will be recording them to watch on Sunday.

*Serious mode disabled*

	11-02-2004 05:51									#297
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quote: Originally posted by flipside It is a VERY famous name in Ulster mythology.

Ergo, of absolutely no interest to anyone outside Ulster.

	11-02-2004 05:56									#298
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quote: Originally posted by flipside In Ulster mythology "Setanta" is the nephew of King Conor MacNeasa, ummm............. ends up being called "Cuchulainn."

Fair enough. I'll wait till Peter Jackson makes a $897 million eleven-part movie about him.

quote: It also is the name of an Irish company that distributes sports to the pubs and clubs of the U.S and Australia.

Goodoh. That explains how the Crusaders acquired the rights.

	11-02-2004 06:10									#299
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quote: Originally posted by flipside I've just checked the website and apparantly all Australian users need to check with their Sydney office why they are not covering the 6N.

You mean a mass protest? Fair enough.

quote: If you wish to see the games, I'm sure that Havak or Tamerlin will record them and send the tapes to you.

I can imagine getting tapes of England matches from Havak. Lots of clumsy DIY editing resulting in J**** miraculously appearing in the games. And Tamerlin's tapes of France matches? He'll have gone through the tapes and hand-coloured Mam'zelle Lab1tch's hair with his coloured Textas!

quote: If this is not possible, I would happily send them them to you if you wish.

You're probably the only I could trust. Thanks all the same, but I'd know the results and it wouldn't be the same. I think I'll bombard FoxSports with emails.

	11-02-2004 06:40									#300
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Ergo, of absolutely no interest to anyone outside Ulster.

Yep. True.
That was what made me laugh so much.
The fact that you were asking why Setanta = Cuchulainn = "The hound of Culainn" could beat "Foxtel."

I thought that you may be doing so deliberately.