19-02-2004 03:12									#61
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I am sure that he would direct me towards the back lines if he had seen me before. I can run very quickly thanks to my light build and I think that the idea of being caught by a forward and his mates are an encouragement to run faster than usual.

You've just conjured for me a mental image of you fleeing from Havak.

quote: I don't worry for the pantry of a Rugby player in France, they all love what is good, believe me.

And, presumably, to qualify as a front rower, you have to eat the pantry - shelves, door and all.

	19-02-2004 05:40									#62
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quote: Originally posted by finbar You've just conjured for me a mental image of you fleeing from Havak.

I visualized a forward but did not think about Havak and what he could do to the back that ducked past him two or three times before he could catch him.

Waoh! It's getting cold here, I am shivering...

quote: And, presumably, to qualify as a front rower, you have to eat the pantry - shelves, door and all.

That's a pretty good evaluation.

	19-02-2004 06:34									#63
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare What are you still doing in such a backwater country? One would hope that, with the many people of Irish origin and the British that must be living out there they could show some of it.

The only way to see any of the games is to pay $20 at the door of your local irish pub. Setanta Sport has a monopoly on the 6 nations so you have to have a satellite dish.

	19-02-2004 06:34									#64
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I visualized a forward but did not think about Havak and what he could do to the back that ducked past him two or three times before he could catch him.

So many backs ducked past Havak that they gave the path a bus route number.

	19-02-2004 14:03									#65
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quote: And I am not psychotic. I just behave differently on the field and outside

I was actually paying you a compliment by saying most of the hookers I have known were psychotic but you were different. Unless as Finbar suggest you have a true alter ego?

Your coaches advice is very good though.

And as for old front rowers - the biggest rugby lesson I learned in my teens was from a forty plus year old prop who worked me seven ways from Sunday when I thought I was the bees knees.

quote: Look, the best - or worst - you'll manage will be to extrapolate it into something anti-SH rugby. In which case, as always, it will be water off a buck's dacks.

And this means the truth isn’t something you take much notice of? How about that for an extrapolation?

quote: Oh, and the ex-Bok U21 skipper is starting his first match for the Brumbies on the wing.

And no doubt farcically playing for Australia later in the summer (or is he serving residency?) Been there, done that debate – but it doesn’t make it any more right that this nonsense happens.

quote: Still, I suppose just about exactly the same could be said about your Mr Kaye after his RWC performance.

Except Ben is holding his position in the most competitive second row in the world. So Woody is seeing something we are not. I’ve seen him play one really good game since last May – Tigers home match with Ulster last month.

quote: I visualized a forward but did not think about Havak and what he could do to the back that ducked past him two or three times before he could catch him.

Here’s the thing – I had (still have perhaps) explosive straight line speed over the first forty or so metres. No step though. So god forbid the girlie who danced past me in a game then later got himself drawn into a breakdown within stampede range.

One on one against backs – of course I was beaten once or twice. Of course I am also sufficiently old that when I started playing front rows used to wander from set piece to set piece and leave the flashy stuff (like open play) to the fit guys.

	19-02-2004 16:22									#66
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quote: Originally posted by Havak And this means the truth isn’t something you take much notice of? How about that for an extrapolation?

No, that's just bullsh*t. Extrapolation is something else altogether.

quote: And no doubt farcically playing for Australia later in the summer (or is he serving residency?) Been there, done that debate – but it doesn’t make it any more right that this nonsense happens.

I assume he has to serve residency. I don't know enough about the rules - does residency apply regardless of age? Anyway, starting on the wing, he's up for a decent old initiation against a couple of handy Blues' wingers.

quote: Except Ben is holding his position in the most competitive second row in the world. So Woody is seeing something we are not.

Indeed.

quote: Here’s the thing – I had (still have perhaps) explosive straight line speed over the first forty or so metres.

Only when the words "last orders" are uttered, surely.

quote: No step though.

Except when the words "last orders" are uttered and there's a 92 year old granny in your way heading to order a last G&T. Mmmmm. On second thoughts, no step.

quote: So god forbid the girlie who danced past me in a game then later got himself drawn into a breakdown within stampede range.

I gather the bus route past you was the 307 express to Five Points.

quote: One on one against backs – of course I was beaten once or twice. Of course I am also sufficiently old that when I started playing front rows used to wander from set piece to set piece and leave the flashy stuff (like open play) to the fit guys.

Yes, I'm sure I saw you in one of the sepia episodes of FoxSports' Vintage Rugby.

	20-02-2004 03:36									#67
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I've finally worked out where Tamerlin gets to when he's not posting here! Last night, watching Discovery Channel, I discovered that Airbus has a flight training simulator in Toulouse. He's down there trimming his flaps when he should be here!

	20-02-2004 05:55									#68
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quote: Originally posted by finbar I've finally worked out where Tamerlin gets to when he's not posting here! Last night, watching Discovery Channel, I discovered that Airbus has a flight training simulator in Toulouse. He's down there trimming his flaps when he should be here!

May I help you gentlemen?

	20-02-2004 06:04									#69
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Oh, sorry, I hadn't realised you were training to be an air hostess too.

	20-02-2004 07:58									#70
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I can be very sexy if I want to!

	20-02-2004 08:16									#71
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You hooker, you.

	20-02-2004 13:29									#72
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First S12 match of the season.

Highlanders 39 -d- Queensland Reds 8

Highlanders, now without Taine Randell and Byron Kellaher, very strong. Reds dismal.

	21-02-2004 01:07									#73
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quote: Originally posted by finbar First S12 match of the season. Highlanders 39 -d- Queensland Reds 8 Highlanders, now without Taine Randell and Byron Kellaher, very strong. Reds dismal.

I won't get to see this one. What's Byron up to? I thought for sure he would be starting this match.

	21-02-2004 01:10									#74
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Byron Kelleher has landed himself a starting job at the Chiefs. Lucky guy.

	21-02-2004 01:17									#75
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quote: Originally posted by Frozzy Byron Kelleher has landed himself a starting job at the Chiefs. Lucky guy.

heh, moving up eh? Wouldn't the Highlanders have him?

	21-02-2004 01:24									#76
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He wanted a starting job, and he was being pushed out by the Highlanders.

	21-02-2004 01:38									#77
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quote: Originally posted by Frozzy He wanted a starting job, and he was being pushed out by the Highlanders.

That's a shame. He hasn't had many chances to fulfill his potential.

	21-02-2004 01:44									#78
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I think he's there as a short-term/long-term player

Short term: Do something for the Chiefs
Long Term: Mentor Isaac Boss, the future of Chiefs/Waikato half-backs.

	21-02-2004 04:15									#79
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I suspect Byron's departure from the Highlanders might also have been related to the very ugly internal brawling that went on prior to and following Laurie Mains' exit. From what I read, it's still going on.

	21-02-2004 10:18									#80
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Half time - Crusaders 9 Waratahs 17

The Crusaders look like they'd rather be sucking down a few beers than playing a game of rugby. They've done very little running with the ball - instead preferring aimless kicking. The Waratahs just want it more. Two great individual tries from them.

	21-02-2004 11:16									#81
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Final score Crusaders 43 Waratahs 19

The Crusaders stubbornly refused to run the ball and were totally devoid of any imagination. They finally scored a try late in the game after Deans made a few changes in the lineup, but it was far too little too late. It'll be interesting to see who gets selected for the starting lineup against the Blues next week. I reckon Mehrts might be picked for that one.

Excellent game from the Waratahs, but having said that they werre never really put under any pressure by the pathetic Crusaders. I look forward to seeing how they go against better quality opposition.

	21-02-2004 11:19									#82
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Waratahs 43 -d- Crusaders 19

You're right. The Crusaders looked like they'd rather be somewhere else. Strangely insipid performance from them, tactically inept, shoddy defence. Only in the last 10 minutes did they actually string together some cohesive play. Strong performance by the Waratahs all over the park with Rogers and Tuquiri, in particular, making the defence look second rate. Plank had a particularly powerful, consistent game. He seems to be enjoying his new environment and new responsibility.

	21-02-2004 11:23									#83
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Plank??

	21-02-2004 11:41									#84
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The NSW half-back... Wilkinson?

	21-02-2004 15:47									#85
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Plank is Justin Harrison, Wallaby and former Brumbie and now Waratah lock. Named so by VD. And who is VD?

Brumbies 44 - d- Blues 27

Extraordinary game of high-powered, blitzkrieg rugby played in very trying conditions. 38C in Canberra during the day, 30C at kickoff. The Brumbies had every combination working a treat, and a defence that minimised the impact of Carlos and the lethal Blues' back three. The old guard - Gregan, Larkham, Roff, Mortlock - were all at the top of their powers, and the younger brigade weren't far behind. Rathbone looks like he can play a bit too. Marking Caucau, he only let him slip once.

Interestingly enough, the Brumbies spent the last 20 minutes doing exactly what you're not meant to do - kicking long to the Blues' back three. Except the Brumbie chasers were steaming after the kicks, trapping the Blues deep where they didn't want to be. Very interesting tactic. And, yet again, Carlos' defence was found wanting. Anyone who sees a replay should take a look at Steve Larkham's extraordinary try early in the second half - leaping over Dougie Howlett in the in-goal to take the ball and ground it.

	21-02-2004 15:48									#86
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quote: Originally posted by Frozzy The NSW half-back... Wilkinson?

NSW half-back is Chris Whittaker.

	21-02-2004 22:52									#87
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France 25 - 0 Italy.

A poor game by both teams. Italy were simply unable to get the ball. They were beaten in every possible sector of game. They couldn't even try to convert a single penalty. They have been dangerous at most twice in the whole game.
France dominated, had very good forwards, but didn't socre much. One try in the first half, two in the second. Two more could have been scored, one wasn't because Dominici, after a brilliant move, just let the ball slip and made a nice knock-on in the ingoal, the nearest Italian being maybe 30 or 40 meters away. The other one was refused to Crenca for a dummy runner. Considering that Betsen was beyond the Italian whom he supposedly blocked, I don't get the referee's call on this one. But these two times when the French got into the ingoal only show that they were unable to finish their moves. The forwards were rather good, with a few nice mauls and a very good pair of locks. Magne could have been running straight for a change, and Harinordoqui scored two tries. The halves were okay but not extraordinary. This was Peyrelongue's first test so that may be part of the reason. The backs were not so good. Dominici made a stupid mistake, Clerc was never very dangerous, and the centers were too often used as rams. They were lucky the Italians didn't manage to grab the balls more often after the tackle. Brusque and later Elhorga were good at full back. I don't get why Elhorga starts on the bench. He's better than Clerc in my opinion.
I think the French attacked a lot, but their attack scheme was murky at best, and they tried to do things too complex, resulting in knock-ons, blocked movements nd missed opportunities.

	22-02-2004 05:11									#88
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare France 25 - 0 Italy.

Fifteen Italians defending, this is the summary of the game.

quote: France dominated, had very good forwards, but didn't score much.

True, though I found Olivier Magne abysmal in the first half.

quote: The halves were okay but not extraordinary. This was Peyrelongue's first test so that may be part of the reason.

I have found Jean-Baptiste Ellissalde good and Peyrelongue's performance rather "can do better". Though Peyrelongue is a far better kicker than Frédéric Michalack I think that the latter one is the kind of scrum-halves we needed today.

quote: He's better than Clerc in my opinion.

Vincent Clerc has not been handled any good ball, he was most of the time supporting the other backs while they were fumbling with the ball.

	22-02-2004 05:24									#89
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Chiefs 17 -d- Hurricanes 7

Chiefs look very good. Incredible defensive play. That's about it

	22-02-2004 06:03									#90
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Ummm....

I apologise for my recent posts and wish to thank all of the members of this thread for their indulgence of my spamming.
As has been obvious recently, I am going through a strange period and will not be posting any more.
Thank You ( Genuinely) .

Oh, and in particular I would like to thank finbar and Tamerlin for their late night humour and Havak for his posts which have always made me think before work.

*Iain*