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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
During his 'retirement' up here he would still have ousted the incumbents. Some players remain International class to the day they stop altogether - Ian Jones is another one who springs to mind. |
And if Joe Roff retires as he says he's going to, the same would apply. Which only underlines my oroginal point - Australian rugby doesn't suffer from not choosing overseas-based players. The only ones who go are players who have realised they won't make the Wallaby team, and players who have opted to retire from international rugby. 
Wallabies 29 -d- Pacific Islands 14
Wallabies too professional, too disciplined in very wet, slippery conditions. Lost some concentration early in the second half, but reapplied themselves when the P.I. got within 7. Larkham had a wonderful match, and his tactical field kicking was immaculate and a pleasure to see. The pack was under pressure all night, but the Wallaby forwards drove some splendid rolling mauls, one resulting in a try, and another one should have, except stupid Jeremy Paul grounded the ball just short of the line.
Some very ugly off the ball incidents that will, hopefully, see a couple of P.I. players cited. Early on, Rathbone was felled with a forearm to the head well after he'd disposed of the ball. He was jogging along watching the ball's progress further along the field when he was felled. In the second half, Gregan was dumped in a dangerous spear tackle after he'd disposed of the ball, injuring his neck. Pity the P.I.s have to do that sort of thing. Joe Roff seems to have injured his knee, hopefully not seriously.
Seru Rabeni played the last 20 minutes. Only received the ball once in any position to do anything with it. Coughed it up badly, unfortunately. But he has courage. He stood in the path of Rathbone in full flight. Tried to tackle him, but there was an ugly - accidental - head clash. The ref warned Rabeni for a dangerous tackle. Unfairly, I thought. Seemed to me he planned to use his arms before the heads clashed. After his earlier off-the-ball hammering, Rathbone, probably concussed, retired. Rabeni walked away unscathed.
The Wallabies will need all of the two weeks till they meet the ABs to recover from tonight's pounding. Next week, of course, it's the ABs' turn to be pounded.
EDIT. Things become clearer this morning. Gregan out for at least 2 or 3 weeks with a neck injury and his tackler has been cited. Roff out for 6 weeks. Rathbone cleared of facial bone damage, but the player who chopped him down late seems not - yet - to have been cited. And Eddie's edict about coaches not criticising refs lasted all of one week. He has laid into ref Andre Watson for lax refereeing - not policing the high and dangerous tackles - in a huge way. 
FURTHER EDIT. Just saw a replay of Rabeni's tackle on Rathbone. He was using his arms when the accidental head clash happened. In no way was the tackle dangerous. Intentionally, anyway. I missed the replay of the opening where Rathbone was chopped down off the ball so I don't know who did it.
Last edited by finbar on 04-07-2004 at 10:56
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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
I think you mean they reach a stage in their career where they feel the need to test themselves in the best club leagues in the world?  |
But of course.
quote:
In an inspired moment of madness I gave both my sisters keys. I still cannot recall the reasoning behind that… |
In case you roll home too p*ssed to get the key in the door, I expect. I'm still trying to get the wicked step daughter's key back from her! Walks in here like she used to live here or something! 
quote:
It will also be interesting because there has been a line up of kiwis defending them for it in the media. Lets see if that survives them snapping a few AB knees?  |
Yes, let's see what happens when Carlos' head is bouncing up the steps past row 17.
quote:
Good point – forgot you are heading up here. Presumably his post grad course commences before November though? The tests will need to fit in with his studies (and his meetings with Tigers?) |
On the basis that there's been absolutely no mention of it finishing his Wallaby career, I can only assume he'll be touring. Something to the contrary might surface. In fact, as soon as I finish typing this and go and check the rugby sites, I'll probably discover something to the contrary!
quote:
Well – he used to be a Policeman so foot in mouth is an occupational hazard. |
I can just imagine him in France - "Right, you're nicked, lumière du soleil!" 
quote:
It further confuses an already confused area. Still NZ will argue vigourously that PI players are in fact Auckland residents – the territorial city line of which ends just south of Hong Kong? |
And yours extends to Cape Town and Sydney? Actually, after I posed the question this morning, it occurred to me that the Lions are the precedent - a collection of nations.
quote:
That very question concerns me. Deacon and Brown are certainly ready to make the step. I do not understand Clive’s reluctance to try them. At the same time I fully understand his desire to have J back marshalling troops on the field. However manful Dally is with his own efforts he seems to lack the ability to galvanise others.
There is no real prospect of an England return – but I think the Lions will tempt him. He will almost certainly be heading down there for it (kiwi wife as you will recall) so why not get the air fare paid? |
And if the Lions lose? What will it have achieved? Having already said it would be good to see him again, which it would.
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Apolyton Time is 00:36. |
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01-07-2004 06:53
It looks as though the USA-French 2nd XV would have been a good game to see too. France behind by 4 at the half and scraping a narrow win 39-31. Good game Eagles. 
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