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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
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On the basis that the stupid BBC Rugby website makes it impossible to post links to it, I have to quote:
quote:
Thomas takes to Toulouse
Gareth Thomas has spoken for the first time about coming to terms with a change of rugby and culture in France.
Wales' record try-scorer has spent his first week training with his new club Toulouse, and said things could not have worked out better for him.
"It's been fabulous so far; people have not been able to do enough for me," he told BBC Sport.
"I've got a lot to prove and I'm quite in awe of the lot of the players, but they've welcomed me with open arms."
Thomas received the all-clear from the Welsh Rugby Union to officially join Toulouse on Friday.
The WRU had been in dispute with the 16-time French club champions over a £100,000 transfer fee, but all negotiations have ended amicably and Thomas can now concentrate on trying to impress his new team-mates.
And he realises he faces a battle to force his way into a side that is already full of international stars.
"The players are all on the same wavelength," said Thomas. "They don't think they're any better any anyone else.
"They just want Toulouse to be a good team and want to win every game they play.
"They're all pushing in the same direction regardless of what they've achieved in their careers."
"When you come to a place like this you can't help but admire the beauty of the place."
The 29-year-old full-back admitted his new home in the south-west of France is a world away from his south Wales roots, and the language barrier will be a difficult one to overcome.
But the upheaval has gone smoothly so far, he said, and he has even begun to appreciate some French architecture.
"Toulouse is a stunning place. The city is absolutely beautiful. The president of the club is the mayor of culture for the city and he takes great pride in the city," Thomas added.
"It's fantastic to see some of the buildings. To be honest I'm not one for culture - I've never been too fussed with it.
"But when you come to a place like this you can't help but admire the beauty of the place. It's absolutely amazing.
"Bridgend will always be a beautiful place for me because it's where I've been brought up and it'll always be my home - you'll never be able to take that away from me.
"But it's a completely different place here. I didn't realise how big a city it actually is. There's so much stuff to see and people are so welcoming, regardless if you play rugby or not.
"The language has been tough. I had a lot of lessons in Wales before coming just to give me the basics.
"The players I've met have got very good English but I want to learn to speak the language and I think it'll be easier to now that I'm actually here and hearing it most hours of the day.
"But it's not a case that I can't interact with the players because I can speak my little bit of French and they can speak their little bit of English and we get along like that."
Thomas' first taste of action in a Toulouse shirt should come in a friendly match on 31 July. |
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Havak
Hello folks! |
Ah! So the FA secretary bint let you out of bed long enough to post here, hm?
quote:
Two interesting games in my absence. I had a ‘For Sale’ sign all ready for the Graham Henry bandwagon until Doug sneaked (and sneaked is very much the word) that late winner. |
Yes indeed. Andydog remains convinced they displayed a Plan A and a Plan B in the game. I think not. With that welter of possession percentage - as against us - they should have scored more. I honestly think Carlos is approaching his last chance.
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Do you chaps find it interesting how much less effective the ABs are in the tight with McCaw and Robinson sidelined? I have a feeling the Wallabies are going to sneak the tournament from under the ABs noses. |
McCaw, understandably. Missing Robinson is the surprise, in the sense that who would have expected him to add as much as he has? If our forwards stand up as they did against the Boks - pity you missed our scrum disrupting theirs, even winning a tight head, N. Sharpe having a blinder, our lineout pinching four or five of their throws - we must be in with a chance. I remain convinced that G Henry is yet to find an answer to quick, strong, well organised defence shutting them down. Even when his forwards are running the show.
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It is rather starting to look like it. Of course I can be instantly disqualified for being English – we know a Greek and a Swede have been there. It reflects well on the professional nature of the FA doesn’t it? “It’s your turn with the PA tonight Mark”.  |
Something's been puzzling me about it all. Did the coach and the CEO know the other had already been (or was going) there? Perhaps you could ask her when it's next your turn?
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He is probably the best referee in the world – it’s between him and Spreadbury. Can you tell Chris White has helmed some of Toulouse’s (and France’s) most notable big game losses?  |
He was a damn sight better than that dreadful Irish grenouille! 
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Now here is something you need to know about Gareth Thomas – he has not been signed for his IQ. Bet that surprised you? |
Having read his lengthy thoughts on his move to France - no, not really. Still, as long as he learns the French phrase for "which way to the hairdresser?", he should fit in well enough. 
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Havak
You know you may have a point - the Boks should be hard to beat at home after those away performances. |
The interesting point is that the Kiwis have them at altitude, we have them at ground level. Not that that's helped us in the past! The Boks' problem, I think, is a bit like England's when they were misfiring (but winning) the year before last. Connection between forwards and backs is dodgy.
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Though I am sure I read Andydog saying he thought the ABs would have them fully worked out by the return fixture? |
I think he also said G. Henry would watch how we coped with them and learn from it. In which case, he needs McCaw and Robinson back in a hurry, and Carlos to acquire a Game B for when Game A isn't working.
quote:
I'd love to hear Finbar's thought on that border hopper Rathbone. If Thomas was not signed for his IQ what about a lad who claims to have 'totally forgotten' the Bok anthem just two years after he would have needed to know it verbatim (as Bok U21 captain). |
Of course it was baloney. A response, probably, to the vile sh*t that he was copping in the media back in South Africa in the lead up to the game, being called a traitor, and worse. Apparently he copped some of it on the field, too. To be expected, I suppose. Scoring the winning try was a much more eloquent response than the national anthem crap.
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30-07-2004 19:07
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