 |
| |
|
|
finbar
|
 |
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
|
|
All Blacks 16 -d- Wallabies 7
Crap conditions, crap Wallaby front row (why should today be different?), crap Wallaby field kicking, stunning Wallaby defence. With the possession the All Blacks had, and the time in Wallaby territory, they should have won by 40. They didn't. We wouldn't beat anybody in those conditions. We never see them. We'll beat the ABs next time.
The biggest pile of crap on the night was the ref. You were right and wrong about him, Havak. Yes, he's terrible; no, he's not better than any of our refs. He makes our worst look good. He can't spot a knock on right in front of his eyes, his policing of the front rows was a joke - I doubt that either front row knew what he was penalising. Worst of all, his last-minute penalty for the so-called high tackle on Umaga by Mortlock - it was around the shoulders! - cost me Civ Gold! 
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Caligastia
|
|
It was good to see so many lineouts being contested though. Hopefully that will continue throughout the rest of the Tri-nations.
The conditions definitely favored the ABs, but I wouldn't write them off in good conditions. The forwards can dominate just as much as in the wet, although it won't be so easy to stay camped out in the Wallabies' 22.
Is this another 2-test year for the Bledisloe Cup? When does the 3-test format begin?
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
finbar
|
|
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Caligastia
It was good to see so many lineouts being contested though. Hopefully that will continue throughout the rest of the Tri-nations.
The conditions definitely favored the ABs, but I wouldn't write them off in good conditions. The forwards can dominate just as much as in the wet, although it won't be so easy to stay camped out in the Wallabies' 22.
Is this another 2-test year for the Bledisloe Cup? When does the 3-test format begin? |
The Bledisloe is still being played within the Tri-Nations format, so it remains a 2-Test series. You won the Bledisloe last night by virtue of the fact that: (a) you hold it; and (b) even if we win the return match, the score would be 1-all, meaning the holder retains it. I don't know if the 3-Test Bledisloe format has yet been confirmed. I think it's part and parcel of the broadcast rights negotiations between SANZAR and Murdoch.
Nice to see Eddie, this morning, admitting that our pack wasn't up to it last night. Trouble is, our problem is our front row, and we don't have a better one available.
Springboks 38 -d- Pacific Islands 24
Boks very impressive with strong, aggressive defence, powerful forwards and speed outside, until the last 20 minutes, when they either lost concentration or tired. This was their first match in 3 weeks. The PIs relatively impotent in the first half, their set pieces not up to scratch, and the Bok defence completely shutting them down. In the last 20 minutes, with the Boks dropping their guard, the PIs' broken play skills found the space they needed. The Boks of the first 60 minutes will threaten any team. Their last 20 minutes will worry the coach. The PIs can't continue to rely on broken play skills alone.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
finbar
|
|
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
|
|
There was only one real Civ Gold winner after the weekend's disastrous* rugby results - Andydog, who now rivals Bill Gates for personal fortune. The only question is, will Andydog donate a goodly amount of it to philanthropic causes, à la Mr Gates, or will he put it towards a week of drunken debauchery?
The results
Wallabies -v- All Blacks
Thanks to the utter incompetence of the ref*, the All Blacks won by 9. The pool was 80 Civ Gold, shared equally by Andydog and Caligastia.
Springboks -v- Pacific Islanders
Thanks to the sheer inability of the PIs to do anything other than throw the ball around in broken play*, the Boks won by 14. The pool was 75 Civ Gold, cleaned up by tinny Andydog.
* = unbiased editorial comment by the treasurer.
Our updated Bank Account
Andydog 246.5 - 60 + 115 = 301.50
Bearcat 80.5
Caligastia 90.5 - 60 + 40 = 70.5
finbar 34.5 - 20 = 14.5
Frozzy 124
Havak 88.05 - 15 = 73.05
Journeyman 122.5
LDiCesares 152.3
Mickeyj 143.5
NeoStar 114
ravagon 110.25
redbull 80
Tamerlin 59.3
Last edited by finbar on 20-07-2004 at 06:59
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
finbar
|
|
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Havak
This time I really have been ripped off – I bet 5 on the PIs but the bookie took 10 off of me!  |
I have overheads!
*skulks away to amend the figures on account of he misread Havak's bet*
But who bets 5 of anything anyway! 
quote:
I also have some good news for you all – after today I’m off for a fortnight so the next few tri-nations matches will not be troubled by my critical eye – and after Saturdays dire opener that can only be a good thing. |
Take your hopeless NH ref with you too!
quote:
We can be fairly sure Dermott cannot connect cause and effect for his injury so you may need to be extra vigilant.  |
Actually, he's not bad on cause and effect in very specific situations:
(1) Hears cupboard containing treats being opened = drools.
(2) Hears tin of dog food being opened = slobbers.
(3) Hears one of us say the word "bedtime", meaning he gets a biscuit = gallops to his trampoline bed in the corner of our bedroom, leaps onto it, sits with mouth open, waiting for biscuit.
quote:
I have suggested before that the presence of Dunning in your 22 signals significant problems for Eddie? No strength and no depth. |
We haven't had them for 10 years or more. And no end in sight to the problem.
quote:
Fascinating game wasn’t it? Totally in control and then suddenly they started playing the same game as the Islanders – and it didn’t suit their strengths. |
Do you think that's what happened? I just thought they - their defence, in particular - switched off. Pity, because they were very impressive before that. What a difference a coach makes. And I imagine he will be having a piece of them for the last 20 minutes.
Oh, your Far South Leicester signing can kick for goal, too.
quote:
But I have to say, and I am sure it will annoy the ‘NZ Lions’ fans, it is disappointing that both the first two try scorers for the Islanders are being lined up to wear the Silver Fern. What with them and the flanker too exactly what are the PIs meant to be – an AB feeder team? |
That's my problem with the whole PI concept. What are they? Those players you refer to are eligible to play for New Zealand. So who are they representing playing for the PIs?
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Andydog
|
 |
London
Jan 2001
time: 05:36
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by finbar
With the possession the All Blacks had, and the time in Wallaby territory, they should have won by 40. |
A 9 point win in those conditions is a fair thrashing - certainly a big enough for bragging rights!
NZ played to the conditions and maintained their game plan for 80 minutes. Henry obviously told them at half-time to forget about flinging it wide. Spencer and Carter were completely smothered by the Wallabies' defense. They couldn't hold onto the pill anyway. Good argument for standing deeper?
Marshall (and the absence of Gregan) was clearly the difference between the two teams. Larkham, without his Brumbie ally, looked completely lost. His kicking was absolutely shocking.
Mealamu will never be accused of having a glass jaw. Took that one fair in the face and stood up to give some back, and it was no Brialesque powder puff punch either. Well played.
quote:
Worst of all, his last-minute penalty for the so-called high tackle on Umaga by Mortlock - it was around the shoulders! - cost me Civ Gold! |
Sheesh, you're turning into a Havak! Basically Mortlock swung around on Umaga's head. It started at the chin and ended at the eyebrows. Have a look at the photo - a man's body does not twist like that for no reason does it? The tackle was not legal, it was high, was penalised, and deserved to be so.
 Attachment: umaga.jpg
This has been downloaded 9 time(s).
|
|
| |
|
|
|
finbar
|
|
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Havak
Here is a clue – Tight Head. |
quote:
I noticed last year there were a lot more NH refs in the Tri-series. It seems the old system of the country not playing providing the ref has been swept away by an IRB edict? |
There were two NH refs in last season's Tri Nations - the incompetent Paddy grenouille did a Boks -v- ABs match, Spreadbury did a Wallabies -v- ABs match. The others were all handled by a ref from the third nation. I don't know what the policy is.
quote:
I thought one of the young lads drafted this year is rated highly by Eddie? How is he rated by you? That may be rhetorical! |
Don't forget that Eddie described Matt Dunning as the most improved S12 player in the comp of last season. There's a very young Brumbies prop, Nic Henderson, who is hanging around the squad. I think he was on the bench for the Scotland match. But he's had, at most, one season of S12.
quote:
It’s a valid question – and one the IRB need to answer. The concept of the Islanders is to develop Fijian/Samoan/Tongan rugby surely? And not to develop the already embarrassing riches of the ABs in terms of players. Someone somewhere has got it wrong. |
The concept is aimed at generating some income for the PI Unions. And those players you identified are well known to the NZ Union anyway. They're S12 stars - Lauaki, in particular. So it's not as if the ABs are uncovering talent. Your next para addresses my problem with the concept -
quote:
And now the Islanders want in to the tri-nations. How can they play in that and then have players jump to the ABs? It makes a mockery of selection criteria being there in the first place? |
Exactly. As it exists, the PI concept is nothing more than a basis for exhibition matches. Or, if they're to have Test status, they have to be on the same basis that the Lions operate, which we've kicked around before.
quote:
I have no answers – other than stopping the All Blacks immediately registering everyone who signs for an S12 franchise for residential qualification. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
finbar
|
|
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Andydog
A 9 point win in those conditions is a fair thrashing - certainly a big enough for bragging rights! |
Winning by a lip, in horse racing parlance, would be enough for you! And me, too.
quote:
NZ played to the conditions and maintained their game plan for 80 minutes. Henry obviously told them at half-time to forget about flinging it wide. Spencer and Carter were completely smothered by the Wallabies' defense. They couldn't hold onto the pill anyway. Good argument for standing deeper? |
I'd've thought so. I don't know whether Henry restricted them to what they were doing, but, in the face of monumental defence, there seemed to be a singular lack of imagination in attack.
quote:
Marshall (and the absence of Gregan) was clearly the difference between the two teams. Larkham, without his Brumbie ally, looked completely lost. His kicking was absolutely shocking. |
Yes, Larkham had an absolute shocker. I doubt we'll ever see anything that bad from him again. But I don't think it was Marshall (and Gregan's absence) that was the difference. Marshall was given the chance to do what he did because his forwards were utterly dominant, steamrolling forward, relentless. Gregan couldn't have done any more than Whitaker did. No halfback can attack if his pack his roller skating backwards. In fact, I thought Whitaker had an outstanding game - but, because of the pressure his pack was under, as a defender. I think Eddie Jones got it right (not that it took an Einstein to work it out) - our forwards were murdered on the night.
quote:
Mealamu will never be accused of having a glass jaw. Took that one fair in the face and stood up to give some back, and it was no Brialesque powder puff punch either. Well played. |
I don't think I've seen as perfectly timed a wallop as Canon gave Mealamu. Exactly what is Mealamu's head made of? Canon, of course, was retaliating. And, of course, you've turned a blind eye to Carlos twice leaping in and raining punches.
quote:
Sheesh, you're turning into a Havak! Basically Mortlock swung around on Umaga's head. It started at the chin and ended at the eyebrows. Have a look at the photo - a man's body does not twist like that for no reason does it? The tackle was not legal, it was high, was penalised, and deserved to be so. |
He grabbed Umaga around the shoulders. Momentum - and Umaga's twist to shake the tackle - took Mortlock's arms above the shoulders. Crikey, even the Kiwi commentators - who have one eye between them - called it a sh*t decision!
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Caligastia
|
|
I saw this game last night...USA v France. It was France's second or maybe even 3rd string team of course, but the USA were ahead at half time and only lost the game 39-31.
Thought you might like to know...
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
LDiCesare
|
|
La Ferté sous Jouarre France
Jan 2001
time: 05:36
|
|
Sorry finbar, the only young front-rower who seemed to emerge was not a prop, but a hooker. His name is something like Swszwski except there are vowels inside.
|
|
| |
All times are GMT. The time now is 05:36.
Apolyton Time is 00:36. |
top of page
|
| archivepost |
|
Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is ON
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
|
|
|
|
|
|
17-07-2004 06:03
Apparently Marshall is also crook with the virus. What's happened to Aaron Mauger? Is he injured or something?
|
