02-10-2004 22:29									#181
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare That and a winger playing his first match, another one playing full back for the first time and fast backs among the opponents, and you'll understand why we decided to play the second half keeping the ball with the forwards.

Relying on the forwards is, at least, something we know how to do in the Northern Hemisphere.

	02-10-2004 22:41									#182
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Club Athlétique de Brive 16 - Stade Toulousain 27

A victory away from home for the Stade Toulousain. Though they are still making far too many fools the Toulousains have been more consistent than the last weeks. Frédéric Michalack's return was contrasted, he was sometimes good and sometimes not but all in all he was much better than Dubois. The Brivistes are playing a very ambitious game that could have been disastrous for the Stade Toulousain if the defense and the forwards had been less efficient.

All in all, this game demonstrates that there is perhaps a bit of hope for Toulouse... perhaps.

	03-10-2004 01:41									#183
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Toulouse seems to be slowly discovering their game. They look like they are learning again how to play together. In contrast, Biarritz is aparently forgetting everyhting about rugby. And the USAP is doing very well. That makes for an interesting season, but I think having less clubs next year will be a good thing. The poor players from Auch, being poor, have little chance to win a single match this year.

	03-10-2004 05:58									#184
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quote: Originally posted by finbar And here's an example. I've been listening to a radio broadcast of Newcastle -v- Leicester via the BBC website. Leciester leading 17-7 at half time running with a strong breeze. Wilkinson just missed a penalty. I go to bed confident that Newcastle will come home strongly with the breeze.

Mmmm. I'm tempted to edit the above. Unfortunately, Leicester powered home against the breeze to win 44-15. And now I know why I didn't hear Matt Burke's name mentioned in the time I was listening to the game. He'd pulled out with a shoulder problem. Still, the day wasn't a total disaster. Worcester registered their first win against Quins, 37-7.

EDIT. Oh, and New Zealand is thinking about applying to host the 2011 World Cup. Goodoh. I'm sure we'll do it just as well in 2011 as we did last year.

	03-10-2004 13:23									#185
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By the way I didn't mention I hadn't been able to find a ticket for the match against NZ? For some reason, there are tickets available against Australia on the 13th of november, but not 2 weeks later against NZ. I wouldn't mind seeing Australia live, except the 13th is the weekend for my son's birthday, so it'll probably be vetoed on grounds I can't be in Paris in the evening and in La Ferte the afternoon, whereas the 27th is my birthday, which was a perfectly good excuse. Does anyone think I can ask the IRB to switch the games so they play Australia on the 27th in order for me to be able to see the match live?

	03-10-2004 17:51									#186
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I'll get onto the ARU and organise it for you!

	03-10-2004 18:59									#187
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Go the Doggies!!!!!!!!!

	04-10-2004 06:01									#188
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No rapists mentioned in this thread, thanks.

For the uninitiated, Horse is referring to yesterday's L***** grand final here in Sydney. The rapists beat the mob who are probably also rapists but haven't yet been exposed as such.

	04-10-2004 09:02									#189
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Showing once again why rugby league is a superior game to union.

	04-10-2004 13:49									#190
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Well it was probably about time Horse dropped by to troll with League references again.

Does he not realise that outside of Australia the sport has no substantial following at all – the odd Yorkie and Lancastrian weirdo aside.

quote: Truth be told, it's the lower classes who actually brought something to the country in the way of character

They are also the only thing that make this a country worth living in. By the time you get to middle class and above this country is simply morally and culturally bankrupt. But then with the scheming shafters conference (Tories) starting today I had probably better avoid politics.

I’m off to Ireland tomorrow for a few days of business and not back in the office until 12th – by which time I hope Tigers will have stuffed Aussie led Bath.

quote: Let the NPC suffer the same way your domestic comp would suffer.

The Kiwis are VERY protective of it n’est pas?

I caught a fair bit of Auckland-Canterbury on Saturday. Don’t tell any of the kiwi lads but I actually quite enjoyed it. Canterbury even try to bring their forwards into the game – Graham must have had a word.

quote: When we later went to the bar, I saw they had Murphy's on the tap. That barman was pitiful.

I hope you thumped the useless lump? Murphy’s is a nice drop – sweeter than Guiness and less of an after taste. I recommend Beamish if you can track any down. Belgian stouts tend to be just a little bit too strong for my enjoyment.

quote: … and you'll understand why we decided to play the second half keeping the ball with the forwards.

Lets be honest – forwards always feel this way anyway!?

quote: I go to bed confident that Newcastle will come home strongly with the breeze.

A shame you already knew about Burke as I was hoping to get some mileage out of saying he did absolutely nothing good.

Tigers are playing very well right now – some really nice fifteen man rugby and Rabeni is already a huge favourite with the fans. A certain lock is in the form of his life right now too. The forwards in fact are giving us such a platform that the opposition is living off scraps. It’s no surprise that only Sale, who took the game to a rusty Tigers pack, are the only ones to have beaten us.

For the first time in two seasons I am really enjoying watching the team again.

And sure Falcons had problems at centre. They played Epi Taoine at 12 but we should remember that he has played there before. We also had problems – Gibson and VD both out late on with Hammy problems meaning some very young lads entered the mix on the bench in a reworked back line and Rabeni lined up at 12.

Rob Andrew was uncharacteristically generous:
"It was as good a performance as I have seen at club level, alongside some of Wasps' efforts at the end of last season. They are back to where they were three or four years ago and with Martin Johnson and Neil Back so focused on club rugby it's a big bonus for them."

	04-10-2004 18:39									#191
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Well it was probably about time Horse dropped by to troll with League references again. Does he not realise that outside of Australia the sport has no substantial following at all – the odd Yorkie and Lancastrian weirdo aside.

Horse is perverse, you know that. He will champion any minor cause - the more irritating to everyone the cause, the better.

quote: A shame you already knew about Burke as I was hoping to get some mileage out of saying he did absolutely nothing good.

I listened to the last ten minutes of the first half. Newcastle actually sounded like they were doing well. Lord knows what happened after I went to bed.

quote: Tigers are playing very well right now – some really nice fifteen man rugby and Rabeni is already a huge favourite with the fans. A certain lock is in the form of his life right now too. The forwards in fact are giving us such a platform that the opposition is living off scraps. It’s no surprise that only Sale, who took the game to a rusty Tigers pack, are the only ones to have beaten us.

What a difference a coach makes!

quote: For the first time in two seasons I am really enjoying watching the team again.

I'll be enjoying watching Randwick in the Sydney club final on Saturday. The rookie Wallaby tourist backrower Hoiles has grown an extra leg since his selection for the tour. Had a blinder for Randwick in the major semi where they smashed the team they're meeting again in the final.

quote: Rob Andrew was uncharacteristically generous: "It was as good a performance as I have seen at club level, alongside some of Wasps' efforts at the end of last season. They are back to where they were three or four years ago and with Martin Johnson and Neil Back so focused on club rugby it's a big bonus for them

This is the man you've called an idiot and a moron!

	04-10-2004 20:11									#192
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quote: I listened to the last ten minutes of the first half. Newcastle actually sounded like they were doing well.

Must have been Radio Newcastle? They enjoyed more possession in the first thirty minutes but kept hitting a brick wall in the Tigers defence. As the game went on the Tigers forwards simply imposed themselves on the game and froze the Falcons out.

quote: What a difference a coach makes!

Sometimes change is needed. The bigger difference is without doubt the fact that Johnson and Back returned at the turn of the year.

quote: Had a blinder for Randwick in the major semi where they smashed the team they're meeting again in the final.

Sounds an interesting system?

quote: This is the man you've called an idiot and a moron!

And also a very, very bad loser. And that is why what he said surprised me so much.

If Andy Robinson is the man to take England to new heights he has started poorly – they announced today Wilko is the new skipper. Boringly predictable Andy!

I do not think the pressure will help him at all – he is some way off his best form on Saturdays evidence and needs to concentrate on his game not the skippers role.

Mind you Robinson’s hand may have been forced as Hilly is crocked and Vickery looks likely to lose out to White at 3.

Right – off to the Emerald Isle.

	05-10-2004 04:20									#193
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Must have been Radio Newcastle? They enjoyed more possession in the first thirty minutes but kept hitting a brick wall in the Tigers defence. As the game went on the Tigers forwards simply imposed themselves on the game and froze the Falcons out.

Yes, Radio Newcastle. Although no one calling the game seemed identifiably Novacastrian.

quote: Sounds an interesting system?

The vagaries of finals systems. There's a final 5 in the Sydney club comp. Too complicated to explain. All boiled down, a team finishing second or third can earn a "second chance" if they win their first final against each other. That's what Eastwood did. They went on to be thrashed by Randwick in the Major Semi, but their second chance got them into the Preliminary Final the week after. They won that, to win the right to meet Randwick again in the Grand Final. And should be beaten again. In anything other than the Sydney rugby comp, all the finals matches would be called a money-making exercise. With a crowd of maybe 2500 at the Grand Final, money doesn't enter into it!

quote: If Andy Robinson is the man to take England to new heights he has started poorly – they announced today Wilko is the new skipper. Boringly predictable Andy! I do not think the pressure will help him at all – he is some way off his best form on Saturdays evidence and needs to concentrate on his game not the skippers role.

I agree. It's the last thing Wilkinson needs.

quote: Mind you Robinson’s hand may have been forced as Hilly is crocked and Vickery looks likely to lose out to White at 3.

I think that's the point. Who else was there?

quote: Right – off to the Emerald Isle.

	06-10-2004 12:03									#194
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England 'target O'Connor'

World champions England are reportedly investigating whether Irish flanker Johnny O'Connor could play for them.

The Times newspaper claims the Rugby Football Union (RFU) is taking legal advice over whether there is a loophole that would allow O'Connor to play.

That seems unlikely, as the Galway-born Wasps player has already played for the Ireland A team.

But the paper quotes a source as saying: "The England management are exploring this very seriously."

Ah, Havak, the RFU sure knows how to hang you out to dry, doesn't it?

	06-10-2004 18:16									#195
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Finbar, the activity of the forum seems to be rather low without your favorite "punching-ball".

I am afraid you will have to wait for Havak's return in order to have a serious debate about this subject.

As far as I am concerned, I still think that the IRB should have enforced the "three years" rule, I have always liked the fact that players are playing for their federation and not for their country, something that was setting Rugby appart from the other sports.

	06-10-2004 19:15									#196
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Sorry to be so absent...my new job doesn't have any internet blocking, but I actually have work to do here!

Anyone seen any more NPC? I caught the Auckland v Canterbury game last weekend. Auckland lost.

	07-10-2004 04:51									#197
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Finbar, the activity of the forum seems to be rather low without your favorite "punching-ball".

Um, I think "punching bag" might be more appropriate. As in "heavy bag", used by boxers in training.

quote: I am afraid you will have to wait for Havak's return in order to have a serious debate about this subject.

There won't be any debate. In fact, I think he'll probably say that it's a "Times" beat-up, which it probably is.

quote: As far as I am concerned, I still think that the IRB should have enforced the "three years" rule, I have always liked the fact that players are playing for their federation and not for their country, something that was setting Rugby appart from the other sports.

So you think players should be able to play for another country even if they've already played rep rugby? Providing they fulfil residence rules?

	07-10-2004 04:55									#198
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Sorry to be so absent...my new job doesn't have any internet blocking, but I actually have work to do here!

That's my definition of a bad career move!

quote: Anyone seen any more NPC? I caught the Auckland v Canterbury game last weekend. Auckland lost.

It was replayed here late last night. I got to watch the first 15 minutes before Mrs finbar turned it over to the Food Channel! I could've gone downstairs and watched it on the other TV but I was too lazy. Canterbury looked pretty good in the bit I watched. Carlos' kicking was dodgy in the extreme.

	07-10-2004 05:39									#199
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Canterbury looked pretty good in the bit I watched.

Are you still talking about the Food Channel?

	07-10-2004 05:40									#200
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quote: Originally posted by finbar So you think players should be able to play for another country even if they've already played rep rugby? Providing they fulfil residence rules?

Yes, I am!

	07-10-2004 07:09									#201
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Are you still talking about the Food Channel?

Actually, it's probably the channel we watch the most. I think we're food obsessed.

	07-10-2004 07:14									#202
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Yes, I am!

That's fair enough. I'm not sure either way. But when you say that representing the federation rather than the country was setting rugby apart from other sports, I'd've thought that stopping a player representing two countries at rugby made the game unique. Just about every other sport I can think of allows players to represent different countries after fulfilling residency requirements.

	07-10-2004 07:47									#203
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quote: Originally posted by finbar That's fair enough. I'm not sure either way. But when you say that representing the federation rather than the country was setting rugby apart from other sports, I'd've thought that stopping a player representing two countries at rugby made the game unique. Just about every other sport I can think of allows players to represent different countries after fulfilling residency requirements.

All the sports I know, and especially S*****, are basing themselves on the nationality of the player, nationality can be acquired and you just have to fill the papers when you are a sportsman. You are talking about residency, but I would reply that in the former system a player had to play for three consecutive years in the same federation which was a proof of his dedication to the Rugby of this country.

IMO, the former system was much closer to the spirit of our beloved game.

	07-10-2004 17:21									#204
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin All the sports I know, and especially S*****, are basing themselves on the nationality of the player, nationality can be acquired and you just have to fill the papers when you are a sportsman. You are talking about residency, but I would reply that in the former system a player had to play for three consecutive years in the same federation which was a proof of his dedication to the Rugby of this country.

You could play, say, in the French club competition for three consecutive years without having to become a French national? Or you had to become a French national and play in the country for three consecutive years?

	07-10-2004 21:12									#205
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quote: Originally posted by finbar You could play, say, in the French club competition for three consecutive years without having to become a French national? Or you had to become a French national and play in the country for three consecutive years?

First...

	07-10-2004 21:12									#206
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quote: Originally posted by finbar That's my definition of a bad career move!

Nah, I'm getting to learn a lot of new things here so it's worth it. I can't sit around being a typical govt employee forever!

quote: It was replayed here late last night. I got to watch the first 15 minutes before Mrs finbar turned it over to the Food Channel! I could've gone downstairs and watched it on the other TV but I was too lazy. Canterbury looked pretty good in the bit I watched. Carlos' kicking was dodgy in the extreme.

Yeah, I think Carlos may be on the way out soon as far as the ABs go. Auckland needed more structure to their game to beat Canterbury, and Carlos doesn't seem able to provide that.

Auckland v Otago is up next. Obviously I would like Auckland to win, but their chances of making it to the top 4 are slim at this point.

	08-10-2004 05:52									#207
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin First...

Mmmm. Interesting concept. Havak, of course, would hate it. Is that what Tony Marsh did? BTW, where is he these days? Still playing?

	08-10-2004 06:02									#208
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Nah, I'm getting to learn a lot of new things here so it's worth it. I can't sit around being a typical govt employee forever!

It hasn't hurt Alexander's Horse! Are you with the government now? Or were before? Or still?

quote: Yeah, I think Carlos may be on the way out soon as far as the ABs go. Auckland needed more structure to their game to beat Canterbury, and Carlos doesn't seem able to provide that.

G. Henry is still leaning on Canterbury to play Daniel Carter at 5/8. Canterbury are telling G. Henry they'll do what they think is best for their team. But I think you're right, Carlos' AB days are numbered if not over. His is an interesting case of a wonderful S12 player who seems unable to adapt his game to Test rugby. Perhaps it's also an indication of the fundamental difference between S12 and Tests.

	08-10-2004 16:33									#209
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Mmmm. Interesting concept. Havak, of course, would hate it. Is that what Tony Marsh did? BTW, where is he these days? Still playing?

Yes, this is indeed the rule that allowed Tony Marsh to be recruited by the French National team.

Tony Marsh is still playing for the Association Sportive Montferrandaise which results are mediocre since the last two years, he does not seem to have recovered his former level though.

	08-10-2004 16:40									#210
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So Marsh didn't become a French citizen?

On another front, promising news. I think I'm convincing Mrs finbar to spend an extended period in either France or Italy! But at a cost. I would have to use the time there to write a book. A small price to pay!