20-05-2004 05:18									#331
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Who?

Beethoven!

You'll find him in the encyclopedia between "bastard" and "bum"!

	20-05-2004 08:06									#332
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Does not look as a very respectable individual.

	20-05-2004 09:06									#333
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Precisely! He thieved French composers' music!

	20-05-2004 13:32									#334
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quote: You never know, climate might also have entered the equation. He's Fijian, via Brisbane. Canberra is hardly tropical.

I recall a certain tour – I stayed in Cairns and got sunburnt (in the height of their winter) whilst some of the lads headed to Canberra for the mid-week game. We linked up with then in Melbourne where they were pleased with the warmer weather – in Melbourne.

So I can see the lads sense if he made the choice on that criteria.

quote: Check the menu options for the Bok players. Are there options for headbutt and spit?

It’s a number crunchers dream – there are all sorts of attributes scored 0-100. It seems that a combination of high ‘Will’ and low ‘discipline’ gives the greatest chance of red cards. Fights can and do break out – players get binned and dismissed totally.

I am worried the stats need editing though – in my opening game as new coach of Tigers I was trailing Quins 28-14 at half time and only just sneaked through 33-28 in the end. It’s hardly realistic is it?

quote: Rathbone got better and better as the season progressed. He has to be a big chance.

Well Wendall had his chance – and blew it. But what were we saying the other day about border hoppers?

quote: You're obviously unaware of the now ancient scientific claim that cooking in aluminium saucepans contributed to Alzheimers.

Blissfully unaware.

quote: He'll be left standing scratching his head in clouds of our flankers' and wingers' dust wondering which way they went.

Not a chance in hell. You misunderstand me – I do not rate the lad that highly as he doesn’t do the core job of a blindside that well for my money – but in the loose he could skin anyone – your mob included.

I can’t see him starting – but he may make the bench. England would not profit from starting an S12 like flanker – they need a Corry in there taking the heads of your flankers in the tackle (legally of course).

quote: On behalf of my bretheren-in-spirit, I deeply resent the association.

Just a guess – but are you not a big fan of the Nose?

quote: Your diatribes against players crossing borders to further their rugby careers are etched in our memories.

I dislike it still. Only nations with no natural resources should be doing it and that certainly does not include us – did I mention we have tow full squads touring this summer?

It will really hit home to me when they pick a player I rate who is a border hopper – for now Abbot is just marking time until Smith comes in, Lipman the same for Skinner. The young prop bothers me – he is rather good.

quote: Mmmm. The PC rugby game obviously has a stepping tutorial. It - and you - need a patch. Fast.

Believe me were it Twickers I would take the bet. But three tests all in enemy territory – do you think I’m totally daft? However well we play we could always lose these games. Have the refs been named?

As for great composers I have always rated Paul Weller. What do you mean 'wrong end of the stick'?

Okay I think I will turn over Toulouse and Canterbury tonight...

	20-05-2004 13:46									#335
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You have to see what I just found - I am starting to think we can take pretty much any player away from you guys if we want to...

[from BBC News]
Newcastle Falcons have signed Australian second row Radike Samo from the ACT Brumbies in a two-year deal.
The versatile 27-year-old, included in Australia's squad for the forthcoming Tests, has played at lock and wing.

"We're delighted that Radike has agreed to join us," said Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew.

"He's one of the outstanding forwards of the Super 12 season, very mobile with excellent hands. He'll bring a different dimension to our game."
[ends]

	20-05-2004 17:02									#336
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quote: Originally posted by Havak It’s a number crunchers dream – there are all sorts of attributes scored 0-100. It seems that a combination of high ‘Will’ and low ‘discipline’ gives the greatest chance of red cards. Fights can and do break out – players get binned and dismissed totally. I am worried the stats need editing though – in my opening game as new coach of Tigers I was trailing Quins 28-14 at half time and only just sneaked through 33-28 in the end. It’s hardly realistic is it?

I'm sure it didn't help Quins' chances when you switched off the game as they approached the try line. How does the game work? You -v- the computer? As in single player Civ?

quote: Just a guess – but are you not a big fan of the Nose?

A useful barging #8 a couple of years ago and a d*ckhead of the highest order for getting himself into the trouble he did.

quote: Believe me were it Twickers I would take the bet. But three tests all in enemy territory – do you think I’m totally daft? However well we play we could always lose these games. Have the refs been named?

Not that I know of, but they're bound to be England haters. They always are. I think it's outrageous the way they appoint refs who don't understand the rules and always manage to disadvantage England.

quote: As for great composers I have always rated Paul Weller.

Get some Chopin into your life!

quote: Okay I think I will turn over Toulouse and Canterbury tonight...

Dunno about Canterbury, but Toulouse seem to be a pushover these days. And I bet Tamerlin won't turn up to the match.

	20-05-2004 17:04									#337
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quote: Originally posted by Havak You have to see what I just found - I am starting to think we can take pretty much any player away from you guys if we want to... [from BBC News] Newcastle Falcons have signed Australian second row Radike Samo from the ACT Brumbies in a two-year deal. The versatile 27-year-old, included in Australia's squad for the forthcoming Tests, has played at lock and wing. "We're delighted that Radike has agreed to join us," said Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew. "He's one of the outstanding forwards of the Super 12 season, very mobile with excellent hands. He'll bring a different dimension to our game." [ends]

Yes, I heard about that today. Fiji were going to claim him anyway. You can have him.

EDIT. I almost forgot! I was watching a Brit cooking show on cable tonight and they were talking about Cheshire Pork Pies. Pork and apple? Heard of them?

	20-05-2004 17:54									#338
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quote: How does the game work? You -v- the computer? As in single player Civ?

Yes it’s basically a turn based management game with a neat little arcade game simulator built in. You don’t have to actually play the games – you can opt for a Computer resolved outcome – but the most fun the game offers is in the arcade section really.

One thing is sure – the developers overestimated Will Greenwoods power and pace. He burst through my defence twice and outsprinted Geordan Murphy to the line. I’ll have to fix that in the editor.

Oh and another sign the developers are French (Apart from calling Fiji Fidji anyway)? Fabien Pelous scores similarly to Jonno in all attributes. And Magne leaves McCaw , Backy and Smithy in his wake. Pure fiction some of it you see.

quote: A useful barging #8 a couple of years ago and a d*ckhead of the highest order for getting himself into the trouble he did.

I believe, though I may be wrong, that was all a final consequence of his inability to reconcile the loss of his sister Francesca in the Marchioness disaster - and inappropriate ways of trying to deal with such negative things in life.

quote: I think it's outrageous the way they appoint refs who don't understand the rules and always manage to disadvantage England.

You see we are getting you there at last. All we need is for you to admit this extends to any NH side having to play SH sides down there are we are home free.

quote: Get some Chopin into your life!

I’m a terrible cook.

quote: And I bet Tamerlin won't turn up to the match.

Does he ever?

Sunday is the big day I believe – will they turn up?

quote: Fiji were going to claim him anyway. You can have him.

Thanks. But given he is going to Falcons it doesn’t really help me much.

Going to claim him on the basis he is Fijian? That is shocking – what are they thinking of?

	20-05-2004 20:24									#339
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Dunno about Canterbury, but Toulouse seem to be a pushover these days.

True for the Stade Toulousain though this is not the Wasps I am afraid of but of the Stade Toulousain itself. The well known sentence, at least in Toulouse, is more than true these days: "the worst ennemy of the Stade Toulousain is the Stade Toulousain".

quote: And I bet Tamerlin won't turn up to the match.

This too easy a bet.

	21-05-2004 12:48									#340
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The worst enemy of Stade Toulousain is London Wasps right now.

However I am nothing if not fair so:

Bon chance mon ami!

*edit* Wasps Mark van Gisbergen - a Kiwi formerly with Waikato but brought to blighty by Gatland - has asperations to play for England when he qualifies through residency next year. More ammunition for Finbar's border hopping cannon?

	21-05-2004 13:36									#341
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quote: Originally posted by Havak *edit* Wasps Mark van Gisbergen - a Kiwi formerly with Waikato but brought to blighty by Gatland - has asperations to play for England when he qualifies through residency next year. More ammunition for Finbar's border hopping cannon?

The children's movie based on the series I did last year is back on the agenda. I had a meeting today with Channel 5's Head of Children's Production. As the only Pom I'm likely to come across for a while, I asked him about Leicester. What's it like? What sort of people live there? He had nothing but praise for the place. Best integrated city in England, best curries, lovely surrounding countryside. But then I discovered he knows nothing about rugby and is a s***** fan.

	21-05-2004 13:43									#342
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quote: Originally posted by Havak One thing is sure – the developers overestimated Will Greenwoods power and pace. He burst through my defence twice and outsprinted Geordan Murphy to the line. I’ll have to fix that in the editor.

While you're at it, insert fear into the eyes of that England player who panicked just a tad more than he should have last November.

quote: Oh and another sign the developers are French (Apart from calling Fiji Fidji anyway)? Fabien Pelous scores similarly to Jonno in all attributes. And Magne leaves McCaw , Backy and Smithy in his wake. Pure fiction some of it you see.

And if the developers haven't already done so, give all les grenouilles dark roots while you're editing?

quote: I believe, though I may be wrong, that was all a final consequence of his inability to reconcile the loss of his sister Francesca in the Marchioness disaster - and inappropriate ways of trying to deal with such negative things in life.

My condolences to him. IMHO, the stuff with the undercover journos was pure hubris.

quote: You see we are getting you there at last. All we need is for you to admit this extends to any NH side having to play SH sides down there are we are home free.

I absolutely totally agree. Any NH team that ever loses - or even comes close to losing - against a SH team has been dudded by the ref.

quote: I’m a terrible cook.

Buy a CD of his Polonaises. You will be reduced to tears. For the right reasons.

quote: Sunday is the big day I believe – will they turn up?

We know Tamerlin won't.

quote: Going to claim him on the basis he is Fijian? That is shocking – what are they thinking of?

That report still hasn't made the press here. At least it hadn't this morning. Most odd.

	21-05-2004 14:12									#343
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Is that perchance the Fat Cow Motel heading for movie status?

quote: Best-integrated city in England, best curries, lovely surrounding countryside.

Most integrated yes – but not entirely without problems on that front. But it is probably fair to say Leicester has made the best effort at creating a stable and reasonably friendly multi-cultural community in the UK.

Curry houses he is spot on with – including some of the best Thali (vegetarian) houses too.

Surrounding countryside – heck yes – I particularly recommend NE Leicestershire – fields, farms, hills and cracking public houses.

The S***** team got relegated from the top flight this year – good news for Tigers as it means less Friday games for us next year (reason being the lower divs play more Sunday and mid-week games than the top flight and the City police no longer let both sides play at home at the same time).

quote: While you're at it, insert fear into the eyes of that England player who panicked just a tad more than he should have last November.

As with VD Dan Luger has not troubled either England squad this summer either. The game has him correctly listed with USAP – but I haven’t played them yet.

quote: And if the developers haven't already done so, give all les grenouilles dark roots while you're editing?

Whilst some big name players have been given fairly good skins some are way off – I’ll have a look for Labit but wouldn’t be surpised to find he has a LaCroix hairstyle.

quote: IMHO, the stuff with the undercover journos was pure hubris.

Pride very much comes before a fall. Not our tabloids finest hour never the less.

quote: I absolutely totally agree. Any NH team that ever loses - or even comes close to losing - against a SH team has been dudded by the ref.

The ultimate aim of these threads has been achieved! They can now be retired, their work done.

What do you mean “learn to spot sarcasm”?

I’ll consider acquiring some Chopin – but fear it may result in my being fined extensively by my touring party for unnecessary ‘culture’.

quote: That report still hasn't made the press here. At least it hadn't this morning. Most odd.

It also looks like he will start the Super 12 final? That utility back heading to Sarries is on the bench too.

The BBC is making much of Brumbies poor record against Crusaders – how would you call this one?

	21-05-2004 16:25									#344
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quote: Originally posted by Havak The worst enemy of Stade Toulousain is London Wasps right now.

No, I can assure that the Stade Toulousain is still the worst opponent to fear. I can assure you that when the Stade is playing well, no team can resist. The problem is that they have not been able to produce a good game as often as they would have liked to.

quote: Bonne chance mon ami!

Thanks!

Fingers crossed...

	21-05-2004 16:57									#345
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I should have remembered that "luck is a lady".

And surely you mean that when they are playing well no team can resist except TIGERS.

	21-05-2004 18:44									#346
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Is that perchance the Fat Cow Motel heading for movie status?

No, the children's series called "Snobs" that I did for Channel 9 here and Channel 5 over there. It ended up Channel 5's highest ever rating children's series. Thus they wanted to make a feature based on it. We had a false start that had me working over Christmas and New Year to produce a first draft. I told them before I started that the story was totally wrong but they insisted. Now they've decided they agree with me and want to start all over again.

quote: Curry houses he is spot on with – including some of the best Thali (vegetarian) houses too.

I wouldn't be troubling them. Any decent Italian?

quote: Surrounding countryside – heck yes – I particularly recommend NE Leicestershire – fields, farms, hills and cracking public houses.

Pots of money in the countryside, he said.

quote: The S***** team got relegated from the top flight this year – good news for Tigers as it means less Friday games for us next year (reason being the lower divs play more Sunday and mid-week games than the top flight and the City police no longer let both sides play at home at the same time).

Yes, he was telling me how those three soccer players charged with sexual assault in Spain had been set up by prostitutes. I think he lives somewhere in the stockbroker belt outside London, I forgot to ask which team he follows.

quote: As with VD Dan Luger has not troubled either England squad this summer either. The game has him correctly listed with USAP – but I haven’t played them yet.

Test him out under the high ball. See how accurately they have programmed abject fear.

quote: Whilst some big name players have been given fairly good skins some are way off – I’ll have a look for Labit but wouldn’t be surpised to find he has a LaCroix hairstyle.

You might have trouble spotting Labit. I don't think computer monitors are yet capable of registering his hair colour.

quote: What do you mean “learn to spot sarcasm”?

quote: I’ll consider acquiring some Chopin – but fear it may result in my being fined extensively by my touring party for unnecessary ‘culture’.

He wrote the Polonaises as anthems - for want of a better term - to stir the people back home. They're stunning. But you really can't go wrong with any of Chopin's work. Have a listen. It's very accessible. Even his "Funeral March", the one that everyone recognises. It's actually one of his Preludes.

quote: It also looks like he will start the Super 12 final? That utility back heading to Sarries is on the bench too.

The report finally appeared on the Sydney Morning Herald's website this arvo. It will be in tomorrow morning's paper. Yes, he's playing. His NH club should cross its fingers there's no injury. You should check him out if you get a chance if it's televised there. Bartholomeusz is also coming off the bench. Pretty much his permanent role.

quote: The BBC is making much of Brumbies poor record against Crusaders – how would you call this one?

Brumbies have lost more finals to them than they've won. But, in those games, the Crusaders were a much better team than they currently are. Their defence used to be impenetrable, tying up the Brumbies' playmakers. The Brumbies also made some crucial tactical errors. This Crusaders defence is leaky by comparison and their structure has tended to fall apart. If current form prevails, the Brumbies should win. They're superb and merciless exploiters of weaknesses. But they will miss Mortlock. Who knows? Boilovers have happened before.

	21-05-2004 18:49									#347
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quote: Originally posted by Havak And surely you mean that when they are playing well no team can resist except TIGERS.

No. If he'd meant that he would have said it.

	21-05-2004 19:40									#348
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quote: Originally posted by finbar No. If he'd meant that he would have said it.

True!

	21-05-2004 20:00									#349
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quote: Now they've decided they agree with me and want to start all over again.

Tssh – some people just will not do anything unless they can make it sound like their own idea.

quote: I wouldn't be troubling them. Any decent Italian?

At least one very well rated one – a place called Antibo’s (on London road just up from the train station).

quote: Pots of money in the countryside, he said.

An awful lot of it yes. It’s the heart of Hunt territory for starters. Buying property in the villages in the North of the county is not for the faint hearted.

quote: I think he lives somewhere in the stockbroker belt outside London, I forgot to ask which team he follows.

Almost certainly Chelsea given the above.

I think “allegedly set up by German girls chancing making a fast buck” would have been safer – there is no suggestion here they are Prossies. Of course the charges were dropped yesterday.

quote: Test him out under the high ball. See how accurately they have programmed abject fear.

I agree with you that it is one of the memories of the entire tournament. Well along with Plank crying after the final anyway.

As for the game –even Coventry have a fullback solid under the high ball!

quote: His NH club should cross its fingers there's no injury. You should check him out if you get a chance if it's televised there.

He has until pre-season training in late July to get right again if he does get crocked. It is on Sky here – but it is one of your very rare 3pm kick offs isn’t it? I’ll have to watch the repeat!! And the European Shield kicks off at Noon.

quote: If current form prevails, the Brumbies should win. They're superb and merciless exploiters of weaknesses. But they will miss Mortlock. Who knows? Boilovers have happened before.

It is going to be fun – not least with red-rage Finny taking the helm?

quote: True!

I see. You were clearly wrong then.

The Wasps fans have been practicing a new chant:

Allez Wasps! Allez Wasps! Allez Allez Allez, Wasps Wasps Wasps!

	21-05-2004 20:25									#350
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I see. You were clearly wrong then.

quote: The Wasps fans have been practicing a new chant: Allez Wasps! Allez Wasps! Allez Allez Allez, Wasps Wasps Wasps!

I am so used to the team that I can usually tell you if the Stade Toulousain is in good shape in the first minute of the game. The first scrum is usually the barometer of the Toulousains.

	22-05-2004 00:34									#351
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Now we know the truth. Tamerlin only watches the first minute of the matches.
Now everyone beware, Beethoven's Ode to joy may be overheard before the matches of the 6 nations.

	22-05-2004 06:14									#352
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quote: Originally posted by Havak At least one very well rated one – a place called Antibo’s (on London road just up from the train station).

Have you been there? If not, why not? Went to Sydney's best Italian place again last night. Lashed out on a stunning Italian red - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. A 1999. Ridiculously expensive but I'd read about it for years and finally decided to lash out and try it. It was absolutely totally blissful. You could have bought about 100 pints of your llama p*ss for the price of it. And you'd probably prefer your llama p*ss!

quote: It’s the heart of Hunt territory for starters.

Yes, I forgot that he mentioned that too. They should be strung up, those hunting types.

quote: He has until pre-season training in late July to get right again if he does get crocked. It is on Sky here – but it is one of your very rare 3pm kick offs isn’t it? I’ll have to watch the repeat!! And the European Shield kicks off at Noon.

No, it's 7.40pm kick off, 10.40am your time. Hopefully you'll discover that before you get this on Monday.

quote: It is going to be fun – not least with red-rage Finny taking the helm?

After some exemplary disciplined rugby, he has resorted to giving away stupid penalities in the last couple of matches.

	22-05-2004 06:17									#353
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare Now we know the truth. Tamerlin only watches the first minute of the matches.

quote: Now everyone beware, Beethoven's Ode to joy may be overheard before the matches of the 6 nations.

Finally! Someone else with some culture!

	22-05-2004 08:36									#354
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Finally! Someone else with some culture!

You are Australian, you don't have the right to use the word culture.

	22-05-2004 08:52									#355
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin You are Australian, you don't have the right to use the word culture.

At least I care about Beethoven having ripped off your composers! You don't!

	22-05-2004 12:54									#356
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I must warn finbar however that my musical culture is very limited. I almost never listen to music. This having to do with my mother who couldn't do anything when listening to music, so I didn't listen much in my youth and didn't see the point of listening to music later on. So I know a bit of Beethoven, Ravel, Wagner, St Saens, and then we go to lyric things like 'La Pitchouli' or 'Il est un coin de France', which I believe Tamerlin has already heard.

	22-05-2004 16:25									#357
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare ... and then we go to lyric things like 'La Pitchouli' or 'Il est un coin de France', which I believe Tamerlin has already heard.

Though this can hardly be considered as culture I have already heard these songs.

	22-05-2004 17:30									#358
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare So I know a bit of Beethoven, Ravel, Wagner, St Saens

At least you're familiar with three fine composers and a plagiarist. Though I'll concede that Beethoven was fine when he wasn't plagiarising. Still, that's four more composers than Tamerlin has heard of. He thinks Grand Funk Railroad constitutes culture! Pity about Wagner's politics, I think he's one of the great storytellers in music.

	22-05-2004 20:39									#359
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Brumbies 47 - Crusaders 38

20 minutes into the game the Brumbies were ahead 33-0. At that point I decided on beer for breakfast..

The Crusaders fought back valiantly, but they had left themselves with far too great a scoreline to crawl back from. Ben Blair is to blame for two of the Brumbie tries.

Interestingly Robbie Deans brought on Mehrtens when the Crusaders were down 33-0. It just goes to show that the only reason he hadn't played him in previous matches was because of personal animosity. When the heat was on he trusted Mehrtens' ability and experience.

	23-05-2004 06:11									#360
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I doubt that I've seen many more bizarre rugby matches. It was pretty much 7s rugby from beginning to end. Yes, Ben Blair had an absolute shocker, but he wasn't the only Crusader who went missing in the first 20 minutes. That said, the Crusaders' second-half fightback was admirable. The Brumbies stuck to their 7s game and it nearly cost them.

Good to see Joe Roff breaking "Bottle" Cullen's S12 try scoring record in his last match.

And nice to see Radiki Samo produce one out of the hat in his last match for the Brumbies. His one-handed steal from the Crusaders' lock in the lineout, turning an apparently safe Crusaders' lineout win from their own throw into a turnover, had to be seen to be believed.

And exactly how David Nucifora managed to behave with the class and dignity he did under the circumstances is beyond me. Since his sacking more than a month ago, he has presented himself impeccably. A sign of real class. Just a pity the same can't be said for the players who engineered his sacking, none of whom are prepared to acknowledge their roles. The list of culprits apparently includes Bill Young, Jeremy Paul and Stirling Mortlock. I gather George Gregan wasn't part of the sacking gang.

So Joe Roff is off to Oxford Uni to study, with David Giffin probably going too. I wonder which English clubs will be making phone calls? Jeremy Paul is also apparently contemplating heading overseas, as is Scott Fava. With Samo and Bartholomeusz already going, there are going to be some gaps to fill next season.