01-12-2004 05:55									#61
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quote: Originally posted by ravagon Ooohh, that'll go down well. Maybe he won't be too put out given that he's heading off to Italy after his raison d'etre in this country came to an end. Yes indeed, sadly that was the final of 'Burke's Backyard' last Friday.

Pity you had to undermine a sensible post with that final sentence. The most hated man in Australian television - within the industry, that is - finally got his comeuppance.

	01-12-2004 06:09									#62
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He's really hated?
Didn't realise that.
He comes across as a complete ninny onscreen but that doesn't always translate into anything much.

Hope you won't be telling me that the same holds true for that great Aussie adventurer Russel Coight and his own onscreen ninny, Glenn Robbins?

	01-12-2004 07:17									#63
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Glenn Robbins is widely liked. Burke is a complete and utter a*sehole. Foul tempered, arrogant a*sehole. The turnover of staff at his production company is enormous. No one can put up with the treatment for long. Way back, when the series first started, 9 were going to produce it in-house. He wanted to produce it himself. The 9 execs were glad for him to do so. It meant they didn't have to deal with him on a regular basis. His chummy public persona is one of the great performances of all time.

	01-12-2004 14:08									#64
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quote: He doesn't even seem to remember the tour just before the WC - Wales-France-England was it not? (And before you say anything I just checked!

Traditionally a TOUR requires you to leave your home country. I trust the difference is clear? England TOURED just before the RWC, NZ stayed at home for a series of games. Unless you consider the 2002 tour as being ‘just before the RWC’?

quote: A schedule 'not faced by any other team in world rugby', I believe you stated?

Did I? I remember saying it was a stupid and unnecessary tour but cannot recall using those exact words.

Incidentally I thought the ABs played superbly against France – but that is not relevant to their habit of taking soft tours.

quote: *And if you take any of that too seriously we'll have to consider mounting an expedition to Welford road to find the lost artifact known as 'Havaks sense of humour'*

Better hurry before the fork lift arrives to move it to the Soccer stadium down the road.

quote: but the second row's gone from a real strength to, well, fair enough.

Robinson’s fault – Grewcock was a fine number 2 to you know who but is no pack leader – and Steve Borthwick is no international whatever way you cut it. My options would have been Kay, Deacon and the lad Brown from Glaws – Kay the old man to bring through the two youngsters. We may yet see this as Borthwick was played off the park by Plank – and that must kill a career surely?

quote: Wilko will obviously solve one of the problems if he ever reappears.

He sat out a series where we really needed him because he has a deep seated bruise on his arm. What does that say about his hunger? No I think it’s time to look to youth – obviously I will push Broadfoot forward but there are other lads about. Picking a youngster might make Wilko rediscover his passion to play for the side as well.

quote: Care to tell him that?

I’ve said worse to bigger (and faster).

quote: You've caused me to have to change a lifelong habit of jumping on the frontrunner's bandwagon!

Glad to be of service.

quote: I almost felt sorry for him. His departure under those circumstances must have been humiliating.

I am very glad you used the word ‘almost’ there or I would have been worried about you.

France might be nice to drive around but you should really try to pull in south Wales in the summer months. You could criticise England to your hearts content and find a willing friendly audience to your point of view. Of course you will have to sit through hours of ‘how Wales should have beaten the ABs’ but it’s a small price to pay?

	01-12-2004 16:44									#65
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Traditionally a TOUR requires you to leave your home country. I trust the difference is clear? England TOURED just before the RWC, NZ stayed at home for a series of games. Unless you consider the 2002 tour as being ‘just before the RWC’?

That'll teach someone living in Perth to take on someone living in the Northern Hemisphere! I think he was talking about the ABs' 2002 NH tour.

quote: Incidentally I thought the ABs played superbly against France –

They did too. But can they do it again? And when it counts?

quote: Borthwick was played off the park by Plank – and that must kill a career surely?

Well, Plank stitched up J****'s career after that steal in the Lions match, didn't he. J**** limped along for another couple of years, won the odd meaningless trophy and gave the game away.

quote: He sat out a series where we really needed him because he has a deep seated bruise on his arm. What does that say about his hunger?

What am I reading between the lines there? Or not even between the lines?

quote: France might be nice to drive around but you should really try to pull in south Wales in the summer months. You could criticise England to your hearts content and find a willing friendly audience to your point of view. Of course you will have to sit through hours of ‘how Wales should have beaten the ABs’ but it’s a small price to pay?

I've done Wales in the summer months. Had lunch with author John Le Carré's in-laws at their home there.

	02-12-2004 05:05									#66
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More from the deepest recesses of the dark cave that is Zinzan's mind:

Brooke tips NZ to overcome Lions

All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke believes New Zealand have too strong a set-up to lose to the Lions on next year's tour.

The two sides are to play each other in a three-Test series starting in June.

Brooke told BBC Sport: "It'll be a hell of a tour, but I think the Lions will have their work cut out.

"The All Blacks showed in November that they have the players to beat the world's best. They'll be too good for the Lions... but only just."

He goes on to call Dan Carter arguably the best #10 in the world. After a couple of matches in the job. I think someone from the BBC pokes a microphone in front of Zinzan, records what comes out of his mouth, takes it back to the BBC where a linguist expert in gibberish translates it and posts it on the website.

	02-12-2004 10:13									#67
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Eddie has upset the Oz S12 coaches by calling S12 the one-day cricket of rugby. Laurie Fisher, new coach of the Brumbies, said: "Playing Test rugby is a change of mindset, not skills". Laurie obviously hasn't seen the Wallaby front row in action in recent times.

	02-12-2004 12:07									#68
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Traditionally a TOUR requires you to leave your home country. I trust the difference is clear? England TOURED just before the RWC, NZ stayed at home for a series of games. Unless you consider the 2002 tour as being ‘just before the RWC’?

You know perfectly well that's the tour to which I was referring!
And I feel perfectly justified in using the phrase given that it took place a scant 6 months before the WC which is on a 48 month cycle.

quote: Originally posted by finbar That'll teach someone living in Perth to take on someone living in the Northern Hemisphere! I think he was talking about the ABs' 2002 NH tour.

Havak may have been a forward in real life but he now weaves with the grace and poise of a girly back! So good is he at skirting issues that I think he may've been named Erwin in his previous life.
I suppose he could've genuinely misinterpreted it, but I'd rate the chance as about as remote as that of Havak calling for a refill without using a straw to suck up the last tiniest bit of foam from the bottom of the glass (or pitcher as the case may be ) first.

[Edit: Yes Havak, I do indeed have (occasional) access to finbars hidden cameras! ]


In another matter, vitally important to life as we know it, I take back everything bad I've ever said about little George.
Well, some of it anyway.
He now throws his wholehearted support (I'm paraphrasing here) behind Perth's bid to host the next S12 team.
I choose to see this as vindication of the validity and quality of Perths bid rather as a cheap shot on his part against those never-sufficiently-hated Vics.

Whether it has any effect beyond causing the fly on the wall to bat an eyelid before falling asleep again mind you, is something else entirely ...

	02-12-2004 14:04									#69
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quote: They did too. But can they do it again? And when it counts?

History stands firmly against them.

quote: J**** limped along for another couple of years, won the odd meaningless trophy and gave the game away.

Yes Plank certainly killed his career – leaving him a bitter and broken man.

But Eales still got the losing skippers shirt after Sydney despite Plank’s best efforts.

quote: What am I reading between the lines there? Or not even between the lines?

Oh I don’t think I hid it – I’m hugely disappointed that Wilko has sat out with the girliest of girly injury excuses when England really needed him (or at least his boot). A ‘Bruised bicep’ for god’s sake?

quote: I've done Wales in the summer months. Had lunch with author John Le Carré's in-laws at their home there.

Did it rain?

quote: I think someone from the BBC pokes a microphone in front of Zinzan, records what comes out of his mouth, takes it back to the BBC where a linguist expert in gibberish translates it and posts it on the website.

I wondered if you might have seen this. I have no problem with him picking NZ – I expect it from a patriotic Kiwi – but it contradicts things he himself said after Wales so you are spot on – with Zinny it is stream of consciousness stuff.

I think the Lions have an excellent chance myself – but then I am biased too.

quote: Eddie has upset the Oz S12 coaches by calling S12 the one-day cricket of rugby

He is priceless – we must never ever let him retire.

quote: And I feel perfectly justified in using the phrase given that it took place a scant 6 months before the WC which is on a 48 month cycle.

You are going to think I’m picking on you!

England v NZ at twickers (NZ tour) = November 2002
England v NZ and Aus (England tour) = June 2003
England v Aus at Sydney (RWC) = November 2003

SIX months between NZ tour and the RWC?

quote: I suppose he could've genuinely misinterpreted it, but I'd rate the chance as about as remote as that of Havak calling for a refill without using a straw to suck up the last tiniest bit of foam from the bottom of the glass (or pitcher as the case may be ) first.

I simply have a different definition of ‘just before’ the RWC. And a different definition of six months and which side is the touring side too it seems.

I must track down those cameras though…

Now I am sure all you chaps are looking for the perfect gift for the good ladies?

try this

	02-12-2004 17:20									#70
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Oh I don’t think I hid it – I’m hugely disappointed that Wilko has sat out with the girliest of girly injury excuses when England really needed him (or at least his boot). A ‘Bruised bicep’ for god’s sake?

No, I know you didn't hide it. But what's the truth behind the "injury"? I've never heard of such an "injury" keeping someone out for so long. Were they keeping him for more meaningful matches? Like 6 Nations?

quote: Now I am sure all you chaps are looking for the perfect gift for the good ladies? try this

Mmmmm. Fair enough. And I'm passing around the hat to buy you a Christmas present with the choice coming from this lot.

	02-12-2004 17:48									#71
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Fortunately, my dislike for Xmas is now well known and I have came to an agreement with my family. To the exception of the brats, no presents...

	02-12-2004 18:15									#72
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Good lord – Ebeneezer is amongst us!

quote: Were they keeping him for more meaningful matches? Like 6 Nations?

It’s not the England way – my suspicion is the boy accepted a recommendation he should rest it and didn’t argue against it. Not best pleased with him – first he takes all J’s kudos for the RWC win and then he never plays again.

Taffys are our first game in the Six nations – in Cardiff. Wilko better get his motivation sorted for that one.

quote: And I'm passing around the hat to buy you a Christmas present

Cheers Finbar I need some new rags for washing the car with.

Okay pop quiz time – who is this quote from?

“I don't think I had enough of a chance to prove myself. I would like to have had the opportunity of turning the game round, which I think I was capable of doing. The game was far from over at the time. If I was in a hole, I don't think I had enough of a chance to get out of it. It wasn't a true reflection of what I can do. They made a decision and I've always said I'd back the management up. I'm still very ambitious and the experience has not put me off. I've had time to reflect on the mistakes I made but I was trying to play positive rugby so I was surprised.

No prizes on offer.

	02-12-2004 20:11									#73
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Frankly, this whole post has driven me to such a state of apoplexy that I can't see the keys in order to insert a single . Apart from that one, of course. Anyway, as ravagon points out, from next year I'll be able to pop across there on a whim. But next time you go - hire a car and drive west from Marseilles along the coast around to, well, the Spanish border. It's less flash than the stretch you drove, but there are some wonderful little towns.

Unfortunately that was probably our last trip overseas for a while. We just bought a house, and plan on having kids soon.

	03-12-2004 03:34									#74
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Fortunately, my dislike for Xmas is now well known and I have came to an agreement with my family. To the exception of the brats, no presents...

The brats should be the first ones excluded from presents!

	03-12-2004 03:37									#75
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Unfortunately that was probably our last trip overseas for a while. We just bought a house, and plan on having kids soon.

Talk to Tamerlin about the pluses and minuses of having têtards and you might change your mind about the second option.

	03-12-2004 03:42									#76
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Cheers Finbar I need some new rags for washing the car with.

Oh, and I showed Mrs finbar the Tigers calendar. She took one look at the bloke on the front and declared him, um, a friend of Dorothy's.

quote: Okay pop quiz time – who is this quote from? “I don't think I had enough of a chance to prove myself. I would like to have had the opportunity of turning the game round, which I think I was capable of doing. The game was far from over at the time. If I was in a hole, I don't think I had enough of a chance to get out of it. It wasn't a true reflection of what I can do. They made a decision and I've always said I'd back the management up. I'm still very ambitious and the experience has not put me off. I've had time to reflect on the mistakes I made but I was trying to play positive rugby so I was surprised. No prizes on offer.

Indeed not. I'd already read it. Sounds very much like he's parroting the words of his positive-thinking psychologist.

	03-12-2004 04:28									#77
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Talk to Tamerlin about the pluses and minuses of having têtards and you might change your mind about the second option.

I am doing my best to avoid the people making THE mistake.

By the way, I am just coming back from the movie theatre where I have seen a really great movie: "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind".

Go and enjoy!

	03-12-2004 05:45									#78
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I am doing my best to avoid the people making THE mistake.

No need to convince me! Convince Caligastia before it's too late!

quote: By the way, I am just coming back from the movie theatre where I have seen a really great movie: "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind". Go and enjoy!

It was showing here earlier this year. Mrs finbar saw it and loved it. Charlie Kaufman can sure write a script, can't he?

	03-12-2004 06:02									#79
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quote: Originally posted by finbar No need to convince me! Convince Caligastia before it's too late!

I suspect him to be blind at this time.

quote: It was showing here earlier this year. Mrs finbar saw it and loved it. Charlie Kaufman can sure write a script, can't he?

Yep! Great movie, great actors, great dialogues, great story, two thumbs up, one of the best movies I have seen this year...

	03-12-2004 06:10									#80
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Did you see Adaptation? Another great Kaufman script, apart from the third act. But then that might have been his little joke - the film was about the difficulty of writing a film script!

	03-12-2004 06:12									#81
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I suspect him to be blind at this time.

Clearly he is. It's up to you to remove the store vénitien from his eyes!

	03-12-2004 15:03									#82
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Okay so what are you two talking about? Sounds like Chick-Flicks to me.

quote: She took one look at the bloke on the front and declared him, um, a friend of Dorothy's.

Okay I’ll bite here – who is Dorothy?

quote: Sounds very much like he's parroting the words of his positive-thinking psychologist.

Excellent spot – I knew the syntax reminded me of something I’d seen before – it is psychologist nonsense indeed.

Subbed after 26 minutes tactically and it hasn’t put him off? There’s positive thinking and then there is blinkered thinking.

Tigers coach is known not to be comfortable with the media – and is also known for plain speaking – but this is probably worthy of Eddie?

John Wells on the club versus country row: “Everybody wants too much of the same meat. The only way round it is to segregate an international period and a club period. Andy Robinson doesn't want his players kicked, torn and twisted when he gets them, nor do I."

Wells has had to cope with several of our England players returning to the club with injuries ahead of our titanic double clash with the Wasps.

The best thing though is his dig at Sale. Philippe Saint-Andre (Sale DOR) has called for clubs who release more than five players for Test matches to be able to postpone games during the international window. Which is hilarious as previously Sale have always voted to play through these weekends as it never affected them. Wells is aware of this so commented:

“My answer would be for the idiots who allowed the agreement to be signed to sort out a new one. Leicester have always stuck up for ourselves, and been out-voted since the year dot. Sale wouldn't have given a toss a few years ago, but it has affected a number of clubs over the past few years. Two years ago it was Northampton and Bath as well, and last year Wasps had a lot of players away. Until all the clubs can see the big picture, and realise that at some point we are all going to be inconvenienced, it is going to continue. We have been rattling the cage for five years now and nothing has changed. If anything it has got worse. It used to be just the autumn Tests but now we will be playing through the Six Nations as well.”

Straight talking common sense – ERP and the RFU might need an interpreter therefore.

Check out the full article on BBC Sport because it mentions our ‘Giteau’ – a 19 year old English wing named Tom Varndell who looks every inch the future of England.

	03-12-2004 18:30									#83
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Clearly he is. It's up to you to remove the store vénitien from his eyes!

This not a store vénitien, this is a beam.

	03-12-2004 18:35									#84
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quote: Originally posted by Havak The best thing though is his dig at Sale. Philippe Saint-Andre (Sale DOR) has called for clubs who release more than five players for Test matches to be able to postpone games during the international window. Which is hilarious as previously Sale have always voted to play through these weekends as it never affected them. Wells is aware of this so commented: ...

The problem was also felt in France where the Stade Toulousain had to manage three championship games with a team lacking between 8 to 9 international players.

The problem is that this kind of situation is neither fair for the Stade Toulousain and neither fair for the team that meet a full strength Stade Toulousain before and after the test matches.

	04-12-2004 05:27									#85
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Okay so what are you two talking about? Sounds like Chick-Flicks to me.

The films? They're written by Charlie Kaufman, who first came to fame with Being John Malkovich, the film about some people who find - literally - a portal into the actor John Malkovich's brain. He's a breath of fresh screenwriting air.

quote: Okay I’ll bite here – who is Dorothy?

Mmmm. How to explain? The Dorothy in the reference is Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, the character played by Judy Garland in the film. "A friend of Dorothy" is a very old euphemism, dating from the late 1940s and 1950s, for, um, a woolly woofter. So that's Mrs finbar's opinion of J**** on the calendar! And, I have to tell you, I suspect the calendar could have a big market in the gay community.

quote: Subbed after 26 minutes tactically and it hasn’t put him off? There’s positive thinking and then there is blinkered thinking.

Indeed. He's looking after his own self-esteem.

quote: Straight talking common sense – ERP and the RFU might need an interpreter therefore.

It is common sense. I don't know what the answer is. Leaving aside the Sale bod changing his tune, which reflects short-term, selfish thinking in the first place, it's one of the problems when the League gets as big as it is, with the clubs run as businesses. Loss of players now means more than it once might have. Now, you've got two businesses - clubs and RFU - each wanting the majority of the player pie. It's so much simpler here - the clubs' balance sheets are only balanced if they sell enough pies and beer at half time!

quote: Check out the full article on BBC Sport because it mentions our ‘Giteau’ – a 19 year old English wing named Tom Varndell who looks every inch the future of England.

Do what Eddie did with Giteau two years ago when he was only 20. Get him blooded. If he has the ability, it will do him the world of good.

	04-12-2004 05:29									#86
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin This not a store vénitien, this is a beam.

There you are with your understatement again! It's a Giant Californian Redwood!

	04-12-2004 05:44									#87
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Did you see Adaptation? Another great Kaufman script, apart from the third act. But then that might have been his little joke - the film was about the difficulty of writing a film script!

No I haven't seen this movie, actually I am afraid that eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is the only Kaufman's movie I have seen thus far. I have heard many good things about being John Malkovich though...

	04-12-2004 06:27									#88
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Well worth seeing. Only a small film, but quite astonishing in its concept. Spike Jonze directed it. He also directed Adaptation.

	05-12-2004 05:27									#89
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All Blacks 2nd XV 47 -d- Barbarians 19

Scrappy, disappointing match. The All Blacks 2nd XV were just too cohesive for a Barbs outfit that never got its act together. G Henry won't be pleased by the Barbs' scratch pack shoving the ABs' pack around the park.

The highlight was a lowlight - the utter incompetence of the ref and linesman who both somehow managed not to see ABs' halfback Cowan fell Matt Rogers not only late but with a swinging arm around the throat. The ABs' took the ball away to score a try - with the aid of a forward pass - which brought boos and whistles from the crowd. The linesman? Tappe Henning, he who recently publicly criticised Paul Honiss. Replays showed the incident happening right in front of Henning.

Oh, and did I hear on the BBC World Service overnight that Saints rolled Toulouse in the HC? Saints? Who haven't won a match in yonks?

	06-12-2004 12:12									#90
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Oh, and in case Havak forgets to tell us, Leciester fell over the line against Wasps.

Oh, and in case anyone thought Clive had a handle on reality, he had 178,000 new-fangled video cameras at Twickers covering the All Blacks' 2nd XV's movements against the Barbarians. The images even have little vapor trails that follow the players' movements on the field. Apparently Saints have the same cameras installed. Fat lot of good it's done them. Except against Toulouse, of course.