28-04-2004 15:49									#121
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quote: C'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité (this is hospital mocking charity).

Ah – I think you are confusing English clubs with ‘Team England’ there. Our clubs have strict salary caps – French ones do not. Why do you think the Welsh RFU has complained directly to the FFR about player poaching? They are taking it to the IRB next.

quote: Not only that, Toulouse has a climate to offer its players. England player contracts come complete with a stipulation for dank grey mist.

Perfect rugby weather - you see we think of everything for the lads.

quote: Can Corne spit that high?

He tends to wait until Martin has been tackled before launching a cheap shot.

quote: I prefer to see it as English rugby going further down the path of English cricket as a sporting United Nations, weakening itself in the process.

Strange – I prefer to think of it as SAINTS doing that.

quote: The English can take us the H-Cup (though that remains to be demonstrated

Toulouse are a good side – but new gears will be needed at the end of May or the yellow and black will win through. Your best hope is they are likely to be involved in the Premiership play off final the week after and may lack complete focus.

Soleil on the other hand is over rated if it has to come with weak continental beer. Give me mist, rain and BITTER and day.

We have our new coaching team – and for the core fans it is a dream ticket!!



Leicester have appointed long-time Tigers servant John Wells as their new head coach.

The ex-flanker, previously Leicester forwards coach, has been in charge of team affairs since director of rugby Dean Richards left earlier this year.

Leicester have also announced that former players Pat Howard and Richard Cockerill are rejoining the club.

Howard is the Tigers' new backs coach while Cockerill becomes assistant forwards coach.

So there you go Finbar – we got our man Howard – will the second coming be as happy for him?

	28-04-2004 15:53									#122
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So only England players would threaten to strike - and maybe Aussies?



so what about this?

	28-04-2004 17:27									#123
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quote: Originally posted by Havak He tends to wait until Martin has been tackled before launching a cheap shot.

And A.J. Venter too? I hear he's also copped 8 weeks for headbutting last weekend playing for the Sharks. I saw the incident tonight on TV. Identical to Krige's - two head butts in a ruck situation.

quote: We have our new coaching team – and for the core fans it is a dream ticket!! Leicester have appointed long-time Tigers servant John Wells as their new head coach. The ex-flanker, previously Leicester forwards coach, has been in charge of team affairs since director of rugby Dean Richards left earlier this year.

Another old boy. When will they ever learn?

quote: So there you go Finbar – we got our man Howard – will the second coming be as happy for him?

We shall see.

So what's this all about?

	28-04-2004 17:30									#124
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quote: Originally posted by Havak So only England players would threaten to strike - and maybe Aussies? so what about this?

Nuh. We sorted everything out last year prior to the World Cup. Hence the even worse blood between O'Neill and Gregan.

	28-04-2004 17:52									#125
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quote: I saw the incident tonight on TV. Identical to Krige's - two head butts in a ruck situation.

And it had looked so much like they were leaving this phase behind in RSA rugby.

quote: Another old boy. When will they ever learn?

Seemingly never. If ACT are a clique then Tigers are the proverbial Old Boys Club – literally.

As for your link – Sarel van De Walt is another of those journalists who believe the truth should never get in the way of a good story clearly. A number of the English clubs are struggling financially? Well in the top flight this simply isn’t true – pure and simple. Most of them are probably as healthy as the S12 franchises in fact. They all receive a slice of RFU TV money these days as we have discussed before…

And where the hell did this person get the silly idea Bobby has the ear of the RFU or can in anyway influence this silly team joining the top flight. Bobby may be listened to by the WRFU where he is plying his trade but he holds no influence at HQ.

Would you like to know the facts as they stand? Johann Rupert has approached a National League club. That club is Orrell who stand second in National One – but who will not be promoted this season as Worcester already have been. Orrell have flatly refused to speak to him. This makes sense when you think Orrell lies between Liverpool and Wigan and Rupert intends to move the club to London.

Orrell are perhaps financially vulnerable – but the idea the RFU will wear this plan is laughable. Rupert cannot buy his way into the Premiership that way – he needs to target an incumbent – and he will get short shrift there too.

A silly article for a silly idea?

quote: Nuh. We sorted everything out last year prior to the World Cup. Hence the even worse blood between O'Neill and Gregan.

But they did threaten as I recall? So in that way they join England as prima donnas?

	28-04-2004 22:22									#126
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quote: Originally posted by Havak so what about this?

This is an old problem and the illness of the French Rugby since a few years, the article is summing up the situation rather accurately.

	29-04-2004 05:12									#127
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quote: Originally posted by Havak And it had looked so much like they were leaving this phase behind in RSA rugby.

Yep. Bizarre, isn't it? Identical sins, same weekend. And up until last weekend, the Bok teams - Butch James' tackling aside - had been focused pretty much on rugby and not argie bargie. That they'd prospered for it can't be a coincidence. And now Stormers and Sharks are missing key players just when they most need them.

quote: Seemingly never. If ACT are a clique then Tigers are the proverbial Old Boys Club – literally.

Age old question - at what point does a fresh eye become necessary? But at least the players aren't running the show at Tigers. The fundamental Brumbies' problem manifested itself on the weekend against the Waratahs - they were being stifled tactically as much as outplayed. How does a team that coaches itself deal with that? They couldn't and didn't.

quote: A silly article for a silly idea?

Sounds like it. It's actually the sort of story that gets an outing in the off-season when there's nothing else to write about.

quote: But they did threaten as I recall? So in that way they join England as prima donnas?

There were threats of court action. But it was resolved a damn sight quicker than what's going on over there.

Qantas are the new naming-rights sponsor for the Wallabies. $15 million over three years. Interesting that Emirates Airlines were the front runners offering the same amount, but, reading between the lines, it seems Emirates weren't being offered the naming rights. Presumably the powers didn't think it appropriate that the Australian rugby team should run around plastered with Arab signage. Still, now they can rewrite the Qantas advertising refrain (courtesy of Peter Allen): "I Still Call The Short Side Home". Cue a from Tamerlin!

	29-04-2004 05:14									#128
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin This is an old problem and the illness of the French Rugby since a few years,

That, and dark hair roots!

	29-04-2004 18:53									#130
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quote: And now Stormers and Sharks are missing key players just when they most need them.

Oh well – Bok teams are not supposed to win S12 after all.

quote: But at least the players aren't running the show at Tigers

True – only ex-players run the show. Although I think Lantern jaw has a little influence.

quote: Sounds like it. It's actually the sort of story that gets an outing in the off-season when there's nothing else to write about.

It wasn’t entirely without foundation but it was spun incorrectly – the only interest in it thus far is from the consortium proposing it. Skinstad has been trying to explain – they just want to buy a place in Division One (the bought club would be allowed to retain it’s own name, ground and ‘fan base’ – DOH! - but have to re-enter the leagues much further down). The bought franchise would be renamed London Tribe and moved to the capital where it would be filled with Tri-nations never weres and pensioners and go for promotion to the Premiership. The idea, and get this, is to fill a ground with all the young Boks, Aussies and kiwis tending bar in the capital (okay I added the tending bar bit – Skins said ‘working’).

Silly season all right – but he seems very earnest. Then again I remember him being the ‘saviour’ of Bok rugby and now still in his twenties he is wasting away in Wales?

quote: There were threats of court action. But it was resolved a damn sight quicker than what's going on over there.

What is going on? Rugby Heaven covers it far more than anything here does. Why is that?

Our magnificent Bledisloe Cup winning Quantas Wallabies sponsored by Bundaberg rum? I can’t wait for the PA at your next match.



Far more seriously the Tigers season ticket price escalator continues – only 19% dearer if I renew by 1st June. Bargain then!

	30-04-2004 04:25									#131
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quote: Originally posted by Havak What is going on? Rugby Heaven covers it far more than anything here does. Why is that?

Because it's the only interesting thing about English rugby.

quote: Our magnificent Bledisloe Cup winning Quantas Wallabies sponsored by Bundaberg rum? I can’t wait for the PA at your next match.

At least you got the "Bledisloe Cup winning" bit right. Oh, and there's no "u" in Qantas. It's an acronym - Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service. That's how they started out.

quote: Far more seriously the Tigers season ticket price escalator continues – only 19% dearer if I renew by 1st June. Bargain then!

And presumably it will be like everything else these days - paying more for less.

	30-04-2004 12:49									#132
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quote: Because it's the only interesting thing about English rugby.

At least having one interesting thing places us above Australian Rugby in the ‘interesting’ league table then?

quote: Oh, and there's no "u" in Qantas. It's an acronym - Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service. That's how they started out.

I’m sorry – I thought it meant “Quaint Australians”

quote: And presumably it will be like everything else these days - paying more for less.

That depends on whether they snatch a Heineken cup place. Having read the renewal letter more carefully the standard price for my terrace ticket is up 19% - but the ‘special’ renewal price is only 6.3% higher. What a bargain to see the World Cup winning captain every game then?

There’s a real buzz about the club again. I don’t think we will win the League next year but we will be a more prominent force again. I don’t think it is going to take us as long to rebuild and challenge in Europe again as it took Toulouse for example.

	30-04-2004 16:00									#133
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That's it from me until Tuesday - by which time the S12 semi's will be decided? But far more importantly the Premiership play offs should be falling into place as well.

keep the Pom bashing flowing in my absence chaps. To assist the cause the Premiership clubs are now in dispute with the Lions - the Lions fly out next year three days before the Premiership finals/play offs and the clubs have said "our selected players will join you later then".

	30-04-2004 17:17									#134
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Have a nice long week-end Havak, I will keep an eye on the writings of the two posters from the other sides of the world but you know that it will be difficult to prevent at least one of them to get wild...

	01-05-2004 05:31									#135
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I’m sorry – I thought it meant “Quaint Australians”

On that basis, the acronym would be QUAINTAR*EHOLES.

quote: That depends on whether they snatch a Heineken cup place. Having read the renewal letter more carefully the standard price for my terrace ticket is up 19% - but the ‘special’ renewal price is only 6.3% higher. What a bargain to see the World Cup winning captain every game then?

Yes, I suppose paying 6.3% more to watch a has-been is value. But what's a "special" renewal price? How does it differ? Why is it less?

quote: I don’t think it is going to take us as long to rebuild and challenge in Europe again as it took Toulouse for example.

That's what we like to see - division in the NH ranks! As it happens, I was watching a doco on the Battle of Trafalgar the other night. God bless Les Grenouilles. One of the reasons their navy was trumped was that a lot of the officers had been guillotined a few years earlier. Army officers were manning the guns on the ships! And they had black roots in their hair.

	01-05-2004 05:36									#136
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quote: Originally posted by Havak That's it from me until Tuesday -

Mmmmm. I suspect you're posting this from California anyway. I heard on the wireless this morning that paedophile Michael Jackson's court appearance attracted hundreds of his fans outside the courthouse supporting him. I kid you not - one of them had travelled all the way from Leicester!

quote: keep the Pom bashing flowing in my absence chaps.

Nuh. More fun to your face.

quote: To assist the cause the Premiership clubs are now in dispute with the Lions - the Lions fly out next year three days before the Premiership finals/play offs and the clubs have said "our selected players will join you later then".

	01-05-2004 05:37									#137
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Have a nice long week-end Havak, I will keep an eye on the writings of the two posters from the other sides of the world but you know that it will be difficult to prevent at least one of them to get wild...

How's that for a wild dance?

	01-05-2004 05:50									#138
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Chiefs 24 -d- Bulls 22

Chiefs keep their finals hopes alive, but it's a game the Bulls shouldn't have let slip. They murdered the Chiefs in the first half hour, exploiting appalling Chiefs' defence with strong, quick, skilled play to lead 19-3. When the Bulls get it together - connecting their massive pack with some great skill outside - they're very, very good. The key was probably their 5/8, de Waal, who replaced Hougaard in the line up. He took the ball to the line, setting up the massive forwards who were brushing the Chiefs aside. Credit to the Chiefs for fighting back - a gutsy effort - but the Bulls, for whatever reason, abandoned their hard running game. Hougaard replaced de Waal - who went to full back and was much less effective - and Hougaard reverted to the more one-dimensional tactics that can characterise the Bulls. Pity. Anyway, the Chiefs are still in there, but they're going to have to improve to stay there.

And the Blues beat the Sharks 37-26 in SA, loosening the Boks' hold on a finals spot.

	01-05-2004 06:10									#139
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quote: Originally posted by finbar ... And they had black roots in their hair.

That explains everything.

quote: How's that for a wild dance?

I am coming...

	01-05-2004 06:34									#140
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin

Goodness me! A guest appearance by Grand Funk Railroad!

	01-05-2004 12:02									#141
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Highlanders 29 -d- Waratahs 28

Outstanding, gutsy win by the Highlanders, coming from 14 points down and one man down for most of the second half. Old habits die hard for the Waratahs. From a position of superiority, they succumbed to their opponents' intensity, much as they did last season when the Stormers came from 20+ down to beat them. An easy penalty kick by Matt Burke in the dying seconds could have won the Waratahs the game but he hit the post. Poetic justice - the Highlanders deserved to win, the Waratahs, after their second half performance, didn't.

Some truly abysmal officiating in this match. The ref, a young South African in his first season, missed blatant forward passes, missed obvious off side, oversaw rucks that were jungles, and was inconsistent in his interpretation of advantage. The red card to the Highlanders lock for an elbow was dubious, based on the report of the touch judge who was the width of the field away.

Brumbies 46 -d- Hurricanes 25

Brumbies just too classy. Hurricanes jumped them early, getting out to an 11 point lead. Early Brumbie defence was ordinary. But the further the game went, the better the Brumbies looked with some superbly worked team tries.

Crusaders 24 -d- Stormers 9

Crusaders just too classy, even with their #8 red carded in the 30th minute.

Last edited by finbar on 01-05-2004 at 16:42

	01-05-2004 17:02									#142
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Some truly abysmal officiating in this match. The ref, a young South African in his first season, missed blatant forward passes, missed obvious off side, oversaw rucks that were jungles, and was inconsistent in his interpretation of advantage. The red card to the Highlanders lock for an elbow was dubious, based on the report of the touch judge who was the width of the field away.

Nothing unusual for a SH referee.

	02-05-2004 03:53									#143
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Crusaders 24 -d- Stormers 9 Crusaders just too classy, even with their #8 red carded in the 30th minute.

I thought that red card was a bit of an overreaction. The "head butt" was barely a nudge. A yellow card would have been sufficient IMO.

	02-05-2004 03:55									#144
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I see Tamerlin still has his broken record on heavy rotation.

	02-05-2004 05:02									#145
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Yep. Tamerlin seems able to achieve the impossible - pithiness and irrelevance in the one post.

	02-05-2004 09:36									#146
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What did you think about the red card then?

	02-05-2004 18:42									#147
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There's no argument about it being a head butt. A very stupid thing to do. He knew he'd done it. A head butt is a red card. The only mystery recently has been how the officials managed to miss the two Boks' head butts that resulted in 8 weeks suspension each. If they'd been spotted, they'd've been red cards too.

	03-05-2004 04:00									#148
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Yep. Tamerlin seems able to achieve the impossible - pithiness and irrelevance in the one post.

Last date of the qualification phases in France:

Stade Toulousain 36 - Biarritz Olympique 30

Colomiers Rugby 15 - Stade Français 22

Sporting Union Agenais 27 - Section Paloise 10

Thanks to its victory against Colomiers and Pau's defeat in Agen the Stade Français is miraculously saved and is qualified for the Play-Off. The Stade Français, the Stade Toulousain and the Biarritz Olympique will be opposed in the same pool.

	03-05-2004 04:06									#149
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There's that irrelevance again.

When do you get stung to death by Wasps?

	03-05-2004 05:01									#150
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quote: Originally posted by finbar At least you got the "Bledisloe Cup winning" bit right.

Somebody's counting his tomatoes before they're ripe again.

quote: And the Blues beat the Sharks 37-26 in SA

quote: Highlanders 29 -d- Waratahs 28

Heard about this one. Would have loved to have seen it.
Didn't, sadly.


The possible permutations for the final four are pretty interesting - from the Brumbies and the Crusaders who're shoe-ins down to the the Highlanders and the Sharks who, well, this says it all really :-

quote: HIGHLANDERS (Seventh place - 26, -20): Remaining fixture: Saturday, May 8: v Blues, Auckland What they need to do: They need a lot of luck and a lot of help. They need to beat the Blues (which would put them ahead of the defending champions on the standings) and get a bonus point. But then they need both the Stormers and the Waratahs to lose. Of course, should the Sharks win in Durban and get the bonus point, the Highlanders need to ensure their victory margin is bigger than that of the Sharks'. They have an 11-point cushion. SHARKS (Eighth place - 26, -31): Remaining fixture: Saturday, May 8: v Stormers, Durban What they need to do: They will advance if they beat the Stormers and pick up a bonus point, and if the Blues and the Waratahs both go down. They would then have to hope that the Highlanders do not get a bonus point against the Blues, or they must beat the Stormers by 12 points more than what the Highlanders beat the Blues by.