18-02-2005 02:58									#421
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quote: Originally posted by Havak More good news for Tigers

What? Doesn't he like sushi?

EDIT. Oh, and it turns out that the ump was in on the "under-arm" gag. Everyone was.

	18-02-2005 04:58									#422
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Mmm. I got that impression from the highlights last night.
Even the right clownable Billie B. doesn't play quite that much of a fool unless it's contrived somehow ...


Looks like the Reds may start off the new S12 sesason in a similar fashion as they finished the last. A fairly comprehensive hammering from the crusaders that saw the Queenslanders run through their entire bench.
Their coach was thankful they had a full 26 players, otherwise they might've finished the game with <15 on the field.
Latham and Flatley both picked up leg injuries, a couple more had knocks to the head, one dislocated shoulder, one rib somethingorother and 3 more taken off with cramps.

	18-02-2005 11:32									#423
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Trial matches are rarely a real indicator. The Brumbies were thrashed recently. But the Reds, unfortunately, have suffered hugely in the injury department.

Ump Billy Bowden showed Glenn McGrath a red card for the attempted under-arm.

	18-02-2005 11:57									#424
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Hey Havak. Who's this Andy Farrell character?

And I notice your Mr Goode is now in the squad.

	18-02-2005 14:21									#425
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quote: What? Doesn't he like sushi?

Obviously missing the Pork Pies too much.

quote: EDIT. Oh, and it turns out that the ump was in on the "under-arm" gag. Everyone was.

I bet you never thought you would see the day Kiwis made fun of that incident?

quote: Hey Havak. Who's this Andy Farrell character?

Oh he’s, um, well he’s the Skipper of the GB side in the other code.

Injured at the moment but the RFU are keen on him because he is the first forward they think could switch to the true code and succeed. Personally I don’t mind whether he switches or not as I’ve already had plenty of fun from the L***** mobs reactions that have varied from ‘how dare they’ to ‘it’s good news for league as it shows union needs us’ (huh???)

Rumours abound about where he would go but it has been strongly mooted that the RFU want him as a loose forward (specifically a number 8) and in that case he might be placed where he can best learn that trade with…Leicester. I kid you not. It’s more likely he will go to a charity case like Glaws or Sale though.

quote: And I notice your Mr Goode is now in the squad.

He is – and I would say deserves to be there on form. I suspect Robinson lacks the courage to actually play him however, in which case god help him and Hodgson if there is another kicking disaster in Dublin.

Pressure is certainly building on ‘Nervous’ Charlie H. O’Gara and Humphries are both ice cool characters so we can’t have another dithering twerpish performance from the lad. Having said that I think kicks may not be the worst of our problems.

I guess it also makes sense of why we are so keen to get VD Westhuyzen back – with Goode away with England and Broadfoot also with the U21s (as fullback!) our fly half options are limited to Sam Vesty (who converted to fullback two seasons ago) and Austin Healey (no comment!)

	18-02-2005 15:42									#426
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I bet you never thought you would see the day Kiwis made fun of that incident?

We thump them so regularly that they've accepted there was nothing untoward about it.

quote: Rumours abound about where he would go but it has been strongly mooted that the RFU want him as a loose forward (specifically a number 8) and in that case he might be placed where he can best learn that trade with…Leicester. I kid you not. It’s more likely he will go to a charity case like Glaws or Sale though.

But can he play? I mean, is there a chance he will be an asset?

quote: Having said that I think kicks may not be the worst of our problems.

Precisely. I think it's the least of your problems. An immensely superficial one anyway. Pity more haven't realised it.

	18-02-2005 16:18									#427
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I honestly don't know if the guy can play Finbar - in the same way I do not watch kissball I don't watch Tag Rugby either.

	18-02-2005 18:24									#428
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Yes, but someone you've bumped into at some stage - whom you couldn't avoid - must have seen him play!

	18-02-2005 18:51									#429
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Okay - I've heard nothing but good comments about him.

He is apparently one of those players where it is a shame he ever jumped the wrong way in the first place.

Andrew is resting Noon so it will be Gibson-Smith versus Mayerhofler-Tait tomorrow. Two Kiwi-English combos if I have Mayerhofler pegged correctly - which might explain the trouble we have finding English 12's right now?

*edit* Wilko's younger brother is playing fly half for Falcons too. He is not quite in the same class.

	18-02-2005 22:40									#430
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*waits for S12 to start*

	18-02-2005 23:21									#431
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia *waits for S12 to start*

Neither do I.

	19-02-2005 02:04									#432
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I didn't comment on the pitiful match earlier for lack of access to 'poly before today. Just let me remind you that I posted that Ireland and Wales matches had been very entertaining and predicted what England-France would be.
Havak's right, I believe, in his assessment of Robinson. Laporte managed to get his team out of the pit wher they stood by coaching, putting some good players like Servat and Nyanga on the field. Robinson apparently watched the match, probbaly cursing England coach until he realised he was the coach.
I'm hoping France will start playing against Wales. Jauzion should help, Harinordoquy will be better than Chabal was. I don't know Laharrague, but a new fullback can only bring some good things to the team. This player is rumoured to be an attacker, so I hope he will play rugby against Wales.
To sum up the last weekend, the Irish locks were awesome, and Shane Williams is the best winger in the northern helisphere.

	20-02-2005 04:55									#433
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare Laporte managed to get his team out of the pit wher they stood by coaching, putting some good players like Servat and Nyanga on the field. Robinson apparently watched the match, probbaly cursing England coach until he realised he was the coach.

Spot on.

Worcester 15 -d- Quins 9

Haven't Worcester done well this season for a promoted team? Will Saints be relegated?

I saw a final score in the Leicester -v- Newcastle match but I suspect it was a misprint.

	20-02-2005 05:34									#434
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No, it is not a misprint !

Stade Toulousain 64 - Montpellier Herault Rugby Club 26

	20-02-2005 11:33									#435
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin No, it is not a misprint ! Stade Toulousain 64 - Montpellier Herault Rugby Club 26

That certainly is!

	20-02-2005 13:37									#436
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Well, Tamerlin, can you explain us how Toulouse managed to have 4 tries scored against them by such a poor team as Montbellier?

	20-02-2005 16:49									#437
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The bonus point when you score four tries has encouraged Montpellier to play until the end while the Toulousains were taking some rest because the game was already won by a fair amount of points...

	20-02-2005 19:10									#438
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Relegation for Saints? Now there is a nice idea.

It's no misprint It is one of the most remarkable games I have seen at Welford Road.

Final score Tigers 83 Newcastle 10

And poor Mathew Tait had a nightmare whilst Smith only played the first half and still got man of the match. Are you watching Mr Robinson?

	20-02-2005 19:40									#439
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quote: Are you watching Mr Robinson?

Of course he is. He now learnt that a man of the match could be removed after the first half. I predict that, after realising he had badly coached last week, Andy will immediately replace any English player that looks like he's doing well, so the guy can get a man of the match award while sitting on the bench.
Of course, replacing good players might have some side effects, but it can't be worse than what he achieved until now.

	21-02-2005 04:44									#440
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare Of course he is. He now learnt that a man of the match could be removed after the first half. I predict that, after realising he had badly coached last week, Andy will immediately replace any English player that looks like he's doing well, so the guy can get a man of the match award while sitting on the bench. Of course, replacing good players might have some side effects, but it can't be worse than what he achieved until now.

The only flaw in your theory is that an England player will have to be playing well to be taken off, meaning, on recent evidence, that no England player will come close to being taken off!

	21-02-2005 04:45									#441
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin The bonus point when you score four tries has encouraged Montpellier to play until the end while the Toulousains were taking some rest because the game was already won by a fair amount of points...

Lazy bustards!

	21-02-2005 04:45									#442
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Final score Tigers 83 Newcastle 10

Mmmm. There's that misprint again.

	21-02-2005 13:47									#443
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83-10!

Not only that but Goode kicked 13/13!

Now who were those ponces last week who managed, what was it again, 1/7?

You have to wonder whether Leicester won't need a replacement during the next 6N?
Or would that be asking for too much common sense?

	21-02-2005 13:52									#444
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quote: Of course, replacing good players might have some side effects, but it can't be worse than what he achieved until now.

I cannot wait to see Robinson’s tactics for Dublin. I can’t help but feel ‘headless’ and ‘chickens’ will figure somewhere in the wording though.

And I have to say after Saturday I can no longer support any concept of Rob Andrew for England.

I’ll just quote a short piece from the BBC write up on the game:

quote: Centre Ollie Smith scored two of the home side's 11 tries before coming off at half-time, ruthlessly exposing teenager Mathew Tait in the process.

Can you ignore THAT Mr Robinson? We will find out tomorrow.

Ollie was pulled at half time as a precaution because he had a tight hamstring. Luckily for Newcastle that meant facing Seru Rabeni at 13 instead.

I think the Tigers boys did all they could to stake a claim for next week – Goode kicked everything (28 point haul) and Chuter mis-threw just one line out to the back of the line.

And it looks like Corry will be doing his best to disprove Finbars point about England players playing well – Martin had a storming game on Saturday.

Perhaps the worst news for Finbar however would be that Healey had a fantastic game too. He may yet wear the rose again – it is certainly hard to see why players like Austin and Ollie are not when out of form players like Cohen keep getting a chance.

And on that note Saints are now three points adrift at the foot of the table – it is looking bleak for them with Tigers visiting them next weekend.

	21-02-2005 13:56									#445
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Goode kicked 13/13, Chuter nailed 10/11 line outs and Smith scored two superb tries.

So in conclusion I don't really expect Robinson to pick any of them. Why give yourself a fighting chance of winning for goodness sake?

The club are keen to get back Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen so that if Goode is missing we have a top class replacement - and the great thing is they will be missing at different times normally thanks to that messed up season you guys have down south.

	21-02-2005 17:11									#446
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I honestly and truly can't wait for (a) the team selection; and (b) the game against Ireland.

	21-02-2005 17:15									#447
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quote: Originally posted by Havak And it looks like Corry will be doing his best to disprove Finbars point about England players playing well – Martin had a storming game on Saturday.

Yes, yes. Under LDiCesares' version of the coach's idea of strategy, Correy's game against France just about qualified him for removal from the field.

quote: Perhaps the worst news for Finbar however would be that Healey had a fantastic game too. He may yet wear the rose again –

You need two d*ckeads to make a quinella of d*ckheads, so pick VD on the bench alongside H. Paul.

	21-02-2005 19:03									#448
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Or in the stands sat next to the Coach?

Ireland will almost certainly start the game without a genuine openside after club game injuries did for both squad men.

Unfortunately both D'Arcy and BO'D are back in training today. I'm not about to make wild claims like "Smith is better than BO'D" but I will say to you that in time he could be - the potential is there.

Not that it matters - Robinson will probably pick Tait again tomorrow - such is the underwhelming intellect of the man.

Do you get any ZP Premiership footage in Aus? It is well worth tracking down the footage of leon Lloyd running in a try with Tait being dragged along hanging desperately onto him.

	22-02-2005 03:43									#449
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No, we don't get ZP matches, only some HC replays about three weeks after the event.

I heard on the BBC World Service overnight that the prop replacement for Vickery was desperate to play for Wales last year. He even tried to argue that his selection on the bench for England during the '98 Tour From Hell shouldn't be taken into account. But, presumably, he's not the only one who thinks that tour shouldn't have counted.

	22-02-2005 13:42									#450
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Duncan Bell? Well how can one put this politely? Duncan is something of an old fashioned tight head. Solid as a bull - including inside the cranium. There was never any chance his try to be Welsh would work (it was only on residency anyway)

Duncan will give stability to the scrum - but he is not the type of player England likes for Props these days. Trouble is the other tight head in the cut - the young former Bok Stevens - is not getting much club game time let alone international. Personally i would punt Andy Sheridan in at 3 even though he prefers loose head - that boy is one mass of grissle and quite fearsome on the charge.

I never thought England would struggle in the front row but with White, Vickery, Woodman and Flatman all injured the resources are getting a bit scarce unless you start looking at youngsters.

Looking back the tour from hell was less scary than the current situation. We knew in 98 that a core of superb world class players were waiting to pop back in for the autumn games. Okay now we have a lot of injured boys that could return - but we also have a coach who impersonates an Ostrich. I am far more worried now than I was in 98 - a lot of good work could be wasted unless Robinson is canned quickly.

Tigers chairman also launched a blistering attack on Cotton over the player access comments by the way - essentially saying when things go right the RFU takes all the credit (i.e. RWC) but when things go wrong they always blames the clubs. There are legs in this disagreement yet.

Barkeley and Paul have both passed fitness tests - I'm really crossing my fingers that the coach has the courage to pick Smith as a starter - if he doesn't I suspect I am not the only one who will want his head for that alone.

Then again it doesn;t matter who he puts on the bench - he only ever uses a scrummie and one straight wing replacement from the seven. Did I say I think he is tactically inept?