02-03-2004 16:44									#151
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quote: I'd've liked to have seen his face if it had cost them the match.

It does sound…rather reckless. I must make sure I catch it on the S12 shows.

quote: And, in the same fantasy vein, they would never be in front of him when he kicks.

Direct equivalents remember – of course they will be ahead of the kick just like Doug is.

Murphy is actually a far more versatile player than Doug as far as I am concerned and is just as devastating in attack whilst being far more solid in defence. If he were English he would I think be keeping Lewsey out the side. That is how highly I rate him. Baxter is a more direct comparison – raw speed in spades and ruthless finishing but perhaps still a little naeive about the game and just as defensively frail (he came from the inferior code after all).

quote: A knighthood for him!

It’s not that rare – most London based hacks are not keen on us or any other side that dares succeed and not be from London.

quote: Apparently he was putting himself around. He wanted to try himself out in S12. They fell for it.

Lets hope they went for a one year deal?

quote: Those qualification rules aren't going to change. Nor should they. He probably knows it.

Such a shame for him though. After all as a Fijian he qualifies for England (Dependent territory and all that)?

quote: Birmingham? A minus mark is that they'd be totally unintelligible.

Believe it or not as you get towards Solihull and Coventry the accent gets even worse.

	02-03-2004 19:12									#152
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I suspect he is a Munster fan and has a problem with the 2002 final still.

I would be interested in knowing what he thinks about the Stade Toulousain who won a H-Cup semi-final against the Munster after an epic game last year.

	02-03-2004 20:55									#153
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He probably makes you Lee van Cleef to our Jack Palance.

	03-03-2004 04:14									#154
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Murphy is actually a far more versatile player than Doug as far as I am concerned and is just as devastating in attack whilst being far more solid in defence.

Wow. There's a tribute and a half. Let's see him live up to it on the world stage.

quote: Baxter is a more direct comparison – raw speed in spades and ruthless finishing but perhaps still a little naeive about the game

You mean he stays behind the kicker?

	03-03-2004 04:31									#155
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quote: Originally posted by Havak He probably makes you Lee van Cleef to our Jack Palance.

The Good, The Bad ... and the Tamerlin!

	03-03-2004 04:36									#156
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Lee van Cleef any day!

	03-03-2004 07:33									#157
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quote: Originally posted by finbar The Good, The Bad ... and the Tamerlin!

	03-03-2004 13:42									#158
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quote: Wow. There's a tribute and a half. Let's see him live up to it on the world stage.

In a way you have – the Ireland that beat Australia in 2002 and then went on the challenge for a Grand Slam had him at fullback. The Ireland that failed to beat Australia in the world cup and leaked soft tries at the end of the Wales game had Girvan Dempsey at fullback. It may be coincidence.

I would like to mention you are hardly being fair to him – Doug sits in one of the world ‘giant’ teams and it is easy for him to shine. Geordan is in an international ‘also ran’ side and it’s much harder to make your mark.

quote: You mean he stays behind the kicker?

Bullseye.

Looks shaky under high ball as well – that being alien to L*****.

Did Tamerlin get the ‘Black hat’ reference?

	03-03-2004 15:44									#159
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Did Tamerlin get the ‘Black hat’ reference?

NO!

	03-03-2004 15:55									#160
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Oh dear.

I see Magne has been dropped - how do you feel about that?

On the other hand Neil Back has been recalled - it's a strange tournament for selections so far.

	03-03-2004 16:14									#161
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I see Magne has been dropped - how do you feel about that?

I think that "relief" is the most adequate word...

	03-03-2004 17:06									#162
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quote: Originally posted by Havak In a way you have – the Ireland that beat Australia in 2002

I remember him!

quote: I would like to mention you are hardly being fair to him – Doug sits in one of the world ‘giant’ teams and it is easy for him to shine. Geordan is in an international ‘also ran’ side and it’s much harder to make your mark.

It doesn't seem to stop Mr O'Driscoll constantly making his mark.

quote: Did Tamerlin get the ‘Black hat’ reference?

He thinks Lee van Cleef is a contemporary of Rembrandt's.

	03-03-2004 17:37									#163
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quote: Originally posted by finbar He thinks Lee van Cleef is a contemporary of Rembrandt's.

I thought it was a Jeweller...

	03-03-2004 18:06									#164
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quote: I think that "relief" is the most adequate word...

He does seem to have had two very quiet games by his standards?

Can Harinodoquy do a job at openside I wonder? Still Wales is the right side to test him against.

quote: It doesn't seem to stop Mr O'Driscoll constantly making his mark.

Very true. I am sure if Murphy gets an injury free run he may impress us similarly.

quote: He thinks Lee van Cleef is a contemporary of Rembrandt's.

He was certainly thinking Dutch.

	04-03-2004 02:46									#165
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Very true. I am sure if Murphy gets an injury free run he may impress us similarly.

M-hm. So he will outrank Dougie if and when he gets an injury-free run?

quote: He was certainly thinking Dutch.

Well, neighbours, after all.

BTW, I hope the debacle of the Canterbury Bulldogs Rugby L***** club is making the news over there. After a practice match on the Central Coast the weekend before last, and a night on the turps by the players, a local 20 year old lass has made accusations of sexual assault - every available orifice - against a group of players. Earlier this week, one of the players was reported as claiming she'd accommodated 8 of them a couple of nights before the match, and she only made the complaint because they'd knocked her back the morning after the match. Another player was reported as claiming that gang-bangs were part of the Canterbury club culture in particular and L***** in general. The police are now interviewing players and seeking to take DNA samples. Much much more will come of this. All in the week when the ARL launched its new season with an advertising campaign designed to attract women to matches.

One wonderful moment amongst it all, though. When asked if gang-bangs were part of rugby union culture, a former player said they were. Except the union lads kissed the girl afterwards.

	04-03-2004 03:34									#166
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Another player was reported as claiming that gang-bangs were part of the Canterbury club culture in particular and L***** in general...

Maybe is it a part of the campaign designed to attract women to Rugby L*****.

	04-03-2004 05:24									#167
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Yes, the irony is delicious. The ARL is, obviously, spewing about it. Canterbury is the club that deliberately breached its salary cap - and covered it up - by more than a million dollars the year before last. They were leading the comp when it was discovered. The ARL deducted all its points for the season, sending them to the bottom of the comp with zero points. If any of the rape allegations are proved, the ARL will punish the club just about out of existence.

	04-03-2004 06:09									#168
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Huh. Serves them right for playing l*****

	04-03-2004 11:52									#169
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Tidbits:

1. Andrew Mehrtens starts this week for the Crusaders against the Reds.

2. A report in this morning's press to the effect that Clive, looking for matches for his "A" team, frustrated by Scotland and Wales abandoning their "A" teams and the cancellation of a match against Italy, could be looking to a Super 12 team or two to help him out.

	04-03-2004 13:52									#170
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quote: M-hm. So he will outrank Dougie if and when he gets an injury-free run?

Is that how it read? I meant he will finally catch the eye of the SH if he gets such a run – and lets face it SANZAR tend to be a little blinkered when the only NH club players they see are has beens like Kevin Yates and Gregor Townsend. Murphy’s quality is already acknowledged here, believe me. It is no wind up when I say I rate him higher than Howlett – he is that good IMHO.

quote: One wonderful moment amongst it all, though. When asked if gang-bangs were part of rugby union culture, a former player said they were. Except the union lads kissed the girl afterwards.

That is some quote all right!

The whole thing has gone gloriously without mention up here. But then League is a tiny minority sport even compared to Union. Even Challenge cup results struggle to get more than a brief mention on the radio news of the day. Shame.

It’s serious stuff of course – I wouldn’t want to trivialise it too much other than to say maybe they should ban L*****?

quote: …could be looking to a Super 12 team or two to help him out.

Why are you so happy? He is suggesting that S12 sides are the strength of Scotland or Wales A sides!!! It's a huge insult surely?

Seriously it's only the Bok franchises apparently – nothing personal to Aus/NZ but rather because of the similar time zones making it comparatively easy to travel for a brief period (similar to a 6N fixture). Personally I am all for it – as the other Unions (except France) abandon their A sides it can only help us to have a second 22 of lads getting experience of 'international' rugby.

Okay now Leicester played the Barbarians last night. We fielded an understrength side with some lads from the development squad thrown in and the legend Zinzan coached the baa-baa’s. Sounds like I’m pre-empting a huge loss doesn’t it? Well get this:

Leicester 69-21 Barbarians

It was a rout – and I think Zinzan has proved yet again (after his time at Quins) that not all great players make great coaches.

Just for reference I’ll post the teams below – it wasn’t the strongest Baa-baas side but on paper it should have been much better than it was.

This is the fixture that in amateur days was played on boxing day and attracted the biggest names in world rugby. People bought season tickets just to get to this game. It’s one of the things going Professional did ruin – ‘what you gain on the swings…’ and all that.

Leicester: M Holford, J Richards, J White, M Corry, J Hamilton, W Johnson, L Abraham A Balding, T Tierney, J van der Westhuyzen, J Holtby, D Gibson, G Gelderbloom , G Murphy, A Goode.

Replacements: P Clarke, G Chuter, R Nebbett, D Montagu, A Wright, S Glitherow, N Baxter

Barbarians: K Faiva'ai, T Leota, A Galasso, A Codling, B Casey, D Danaher, K Dawson, G Delaney, M Williams, N Jenkins, D Cech, A Marinos, M Denney, T Beim, W Serevi.

Replacements: T Fuga, A Jackson, S Hall, P Short, S Bonetti, I Derenalagui, L Balue

	04-03-2004 16:24									#171
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Is that how it read? I meant he will finally catch the eye of the SH if he gets such a run – and lets face it SANZAR tend to be a little blinkered when the only NH club players they see are has beens like Kevin Yates and Gregor Townsend. Murphy’s quality is already acknowledged here, believe me. It is no wind up when I say I rate him higher than Howlett – he is that good IMHO.

Gotcha!

quote: The whole thing has gone gloriously without mention up here. But then League is a tiny minority sport even compared to Union. Even Challenge cup results struggle to get more than a brief mention on the radio news of the day. Shame.

I thought it might have had a run in "The Sun". A copy of which one of your office cleaners might have left lying around.

quote: It’s serious stuff of course – I wouldn’t want to trivialise it too much other than to say maybe they should ban L*****?

The ARL is absolutely totally ropeable. Understandably. Just to ice the cake for the ARL, today, at a combined codes - L*****, rugby and AFL - function, the Australian L***** team captain offered this from the podium (and to set the context, St George won 11 L***** premierships in a row back in the 60s, and Johnny Raper was one of their legendary players): "St George won eleven titles with one Raper, imagine how many Canterbury will win". Two minutes later, he was grovelling and apologising. L***** has this wonderful habit of self-destructing. If only it would go the whole hog.

quote: Seriously it's only the Bok franchises apparently – nothing personal to Aus/NZ but rather because of the similar time zones making it comparatively easy to travel for a brief period (similar to a 6N fixture).

I assumed it was the Bok teams. None of which would be competitive against the Bognor Regis 3rd XV. So why bother anyway?

quote: it wasn’t the strongest Baa-baas side .... Barbarians: K Faiva'ai, T Leota, A Galasso, A Codling, B Casey, D Danaher, K Dawson, G Delaney, M Williams, N Jenkins, D Cech, A Marinos, M Denney, T Beim, W Serevi. Replacements: T Fuga, A Jackson, S Hall, P Short, S Bonetti, I Derenalagui, L Balue

Um ... who?

	04-03-2004 16:53									#172
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quote: Gotcha!

Bugger!

quote: I thought it might have had a run in "The Sun". A copy of which one of your office cleaners might have left lying around.

Thankfully not.

quote: Two minutes later, he was grovelling and apologising

Oh my god – talk about ill considered jokes. It makes the one about Cocklers cracked by that Tory moo up here seem almost reasonable…

quote: I assumed it was the Bok teams. None of which would be competitive against the Bognor Regis 3rd XV. So why bother anyway?

I think it is to embarass the Countries that have ditched their A sides perhaps – Clive kind of works like that, as in toss an idea out and get press space...

quote: Um ... who?

You missed the top points scorer in international rugby then? And the Fijian wizard? Apart from that you are right – the names used to sell tickets were conspicuous by their absence.

None of which changes the fact Zinzan does not seem to be a natural coach.

	04-03-2004 19:49									#173
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Tidbits: 1. Andrew Mehrtens starts this week for the Crusaders against the Reds.

It's about time. The Crusaders really lift with him in the team. Not exactly a tough match to bring him on for though.

	05-03-2004 06:20									#174
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quote: Originally posted by Havak None of which changes the fact Zinzan does not seem to be a natural coach.

I recall Zinzan making an utter goose of himself with his opinions during the WRC.

	05-03-2004 14:58									#175
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It's easily done - he is a heck of a nice guy so I am told - but he is neither a natural pundit nor coach.

Fitzy seems to have taken on the role for the six nations. He gets a special award for continually stating the bleeding obvious ("what they need to do is get the ball up the other end"!!!).

Still he has competition from Brian Moore who describes everything as 'handbags' that doesn't actually result in someone going unconscious. If they do pass out from a haymaker it gets decribed as a 'slap'.

Tomorrow could be interesting - I suspect Ireland may turn us over. They are well motivated and coming off a good win - whilst we have drafted a guy I simply don't rate at all to fill J's shirt and are persisting with that mis-shaped back row with Hill at 7. I hope I'm wrong of course!

Naturally Wales will beat France on Sunday (wait for Mr )

Can Italy turn over the Scots tomorrow I wonder?

	05-03-2004 16:57									#176
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Tomorrow could be interesting - I suspect Ireland may turn us over. They are well motivated and coming off a good win - whilst we have drafted a guy I simply don't rate at all to fill J's shirt and are persisting with that mis-shaped back row with Hill at 7. I hope I'm wrong of course!

And why is Neil Back - so to speak - back on the bench? What sort of selection is that? At his age?

quote: Naturally Wales will beat France on Sunday (wait for Mr )

He's currently in Cardiff with a lump of coal claiming citizenship.

quote: Can Italy turn over the Scots tomorrow I wonder?

I doubt they can get their act together sufficiently.

The Chiefs rolled the Blues tonight. Gee, the Blues are struggling. They lost Rokococo early with a shoulder injury but his presence wouldn't have helped them. They never looked in control, never seemed coordinated. They haven't in any of the three matches, despite the win against the Crusaders. To the Chiefs' credit, they played very well, never giving the Blues an inch. Carlos went off injured midway through the second half but he hadn't had any great impact.

Waratahs thumped the Cats. Another super first half - helped by the incompetent Cats missing 19 tackles in the first half - followed by a lacklustre second half, which would worry the coach. So would Matt Rogers being carted off on the medi-cab in the last minute with an ankle injury. He's been in sublime, silky form. Hopefully it's not serious.

	05-03-2004 18:14									#177
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quote: And why is Neil Back - so to speak - back on the bench? What sort of selection is that? At his age?

A good one!

You know I am actually old to enough to remember when there were coal mines in Wales. That is scary.

It does rather look like Waratahs are making the early pace. Who was it who suggested it won't be a Kiwi side winning this year – they may have a point?

If Blues keep struggling and Henry jumps another way for the tri-series we may have Carlos signed and sealed sooner rather than later. I’m trying to work out if that is a good thing!?

*edit* On the day you were telling me about Canterbury League side and their legal troubles Seven Leicester City Soccer players were heading into deep trouble in Spain. Six are still in custody on suspicion of various offences that all revolve around an alledged sexual assault on three German women. Another sport shooting itself in the foot...

	06-03-2004 00:31									#178
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quote: I see Magne has been dropped - how do you feel about that?

(maybe a bit exaggerated, but he's so overrated...)

	06-03-2004 07:53									#179
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quote: Originally posted by Havak It does rather look like Waratahs are making the early pace.

They've played one complete game. Against the Crusaders. Apart from that, they've played two great halves in the other two matches. Currently, IMHO, the Brumbies would thump them. That aside, the Waratahs are benefiting enormously from the presence of Plank and Vickerman. Last year, their lineouts were a joke. Not so this year.

quote: *edit* On the day you were telling me about Canterbury League side and their legal troubles Seven Leicester City Soccer players were heading into deep trouble in Spain. Six are still in custody on suspicion of various offences that all revolve around an alledged sexual assault on three German women. Another sport shooting itself in the foot...

I read about it. I saw the words "Leicester" and "sex allegations" in the headline. Naturally I assumed that J**** had rubbed the lantern object up against some poor unfortunate lass.

	06-03-2004 20:45									#180
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Forza Italia!

Italy beat Scotland by 20-14 (or 16 - I didn't really check the result of the last kick).

Scots are pitiful. They are unable to attack, scored one try at the end of the match but really they were lucky the Italians gave them 9 points out of silly penalties. Very unsurprising match, but entertaining nonetheless.