06-12-2004 13:59									#91
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quote: 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.

So all those lads telling the shop assistants they are buying the calendar for their ‘partners’ may well have been telling the truth in a different way?

I have to say I have never heard that euphemism before.

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

Glaws played him at Fly Half Saturday and he made one or two defensive howlers. I’m not sure he will ever get that part of his game right – he tends to tackle by grabbing people around the shoulders.

quote: It's so much simpler here - the clubs' balance sheets are only balanced if they sell enough pies and beer at half time!

Our fixture calendar remains a huge source of concern. Witness the spectacle of the ABs playing the Barbarians at HQ and not one single home nations player (or indeed French player) making the Baa-Baas because it coincided with the third round of the European competitions. RFU cash cow and club needs clashing head on yet again…

quote: 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.

He is so fresh to the scene that we don’t even have him registered for Europe because 8 weeks ago he wasn’t even in the first team frame. He got his chance due to international call ups and injuries and took it superbly. If his strike rate continues into the new year I think he may get that chance of a blooding. Cueto probably has the right wing sewn up until he messes up – but Lewsey is vulnerable, not least because his temperament is currently letting him down somewhat (nasty habit of tackling the neck right now).

quote: 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.

Knowledgeable crowd you see – not at all interested in seeing play continue until someone scores but rather in seeing the game played correctly – which means carding for that tackle and halting play for the forward pass.

One thing about that game is I think we saw a future AB legend – that young blindside (Kaino) is awesome. The Six shirt must be his by the time the Lions get there.

quote: 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?

Yes. It’s hard to fathom. They have lost nine league games in a row (a sequence we started for them) and just made Lardy skipper – it should have been a recipe to be stuffed by Toulouse. Maybe Tamerlin can tell us what went wrong when he has calmed down a bit?
And yes Tigers won the first part of the hyped up ‘Battle of Britain’ though perhaps the most remarkable thing about the game was Dayglo’s thorough lack of sportsmanship and bizarre post match remarks. How lucky England are that they got rid of him.

Thoroughly in control after just twenty minutes Harry Ellis then got binned for hands on the deck and things fell apart. Wasps scored their only try in that ten minute period but the soon to be English Kiwi Van Gisbergen kept them in the game with his boot thanks to some very one sided refereeing from Nigel Williams.

Strangely Dayglo saw us killing ball all game but didn’t manage to notice his own side doing the same – or see Lewsey make two lethal neck high tackles. Presumably he also missed his own headlock on young Ellis when Wasps conceded a penalty at the scrum and Harry went to get the ball. The bloke is an idiot.

Ah well regardless we outscored them three tries to one and I got the joy of seeing an extremely angry Dayglo use the F word right at the death when his instruction to the ref to give him a penalty try fell on deaf ears (presumably Williams did not hear him as he gave Larry everything else he asked for).

	06-12-2004 14:17									#92
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Tamerlin, Tamerlin wherefore art thou. I crave thine wisdom ...
(Any tidbits from LDiCesare too would be most welcome).

Altarian Prophecies has just come out over here (the boxed retail version I mean) and I need opinions. Worth it or not?
Still haven't really gotten into the basic game very deeply but I plan to change this in the near future.


Oh, and may I say, yet again, that Toulouse is still absolutely my favourite French team?

	06-12-2004 16:50									#93
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quote: Originally posted by Havak So all those lads telling the shop assistants they are buying the calendar for their ‘partners’ may well have been telling the truth in a different way?

That unshaven, heavily-eyebrowd, glowering look with the suggestion of nakedness would be very popular in Sydney's Oxford Street. Especially in the B&D set: "Whip me, J****! Whip me!".

quote: I have to say I have never heard that euphemism before.

It's a very show biz expression. Feel free to use it on the terraces.

quote: Our fixture calendar remains a huge source of concern. Witness the spectacle of the ABs playing the Barbarians at HQ and not one single home nations player (or indeed French player) making the Baa-Baas because it coincided with the third round of the European competitions. RFU cash cow and club needs clashing head on yet again…

And the clubs would have screamed had it just been a round of league games. Pity. The Barbarian tradition deserves better.

quote: He is so fresh to the scene that we don’t even have him registered for Europe because 8 weeks ago he wasn’t even in the first team frame. He got his chance due to international call ups and injuries and took it superbly. If his strike rate continues into the new year I think he may get that chance of a blooding. Cueto probably has the right wing sewn up until he messes up – but Lewsey is vulnerable, not least because his temperament is currently letting him down somewhat (nasty habit of tackling the neck right now).

Didn't Lewsey miss one of the try-leaking tackles against us? I get the two England blondes confused. Yes, Cueto looks safe for a while. He seems to have better hands than Cohen. Who, I see, could be leaving Saints. Where will he go? Anyway, get the kid blooded against Scotland or Italy. You can't get into too much trouble on the wing against those teams.

quote: Knowledgeable crowd you see – not at all interested in seeing play continue until someone scores but rather in seeing the game played correctly – which means carding for that tackle and halting play for the forward pass.

And carding the officials who managed not to see the tackle!

quote: One thing about that game is I think we saw a future AB legend – that young blindside (Kaino) is awesome. The Six shirt must be his by the time the Lions get there.

Mmm. Scary, wasn't he? Very very scary. I've forgotten who he tackled near the line to save a try. Someone very big. Took two steps and stopped whomever it was in mid-air. And runs like a rabbit.

quote: Yes. It’s hard to fathom. They have lost nine league games in a row (a sequence we started for them) and just made Lardy skipper – it should have been a recipe to be stuffed by Toulouse. Maybe Tamerlin can tell us what went wrong when he has calmed down a bit?

On top of the All Blacks stuffing France, I think Tamerlin's given it away and now follows s*****. Or he's so traumatised by the news that Caligastia is willingly having children that he's drunk in a gutter somewhere.

quote: Ah well regardless we outscored them three tries to one and I got the joy of seeing an extremely angry Dayglo use the F word right at the death when his instruction to the ref to give him a penalty try fell on deaf ears (presumably Williams did not hear him as he gave Larry everything else he asked for).

Charity in victory. But then it was Wasps!

	06-12-2004 16:54									#94
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Stupid Greek-Canadian software!

	06-12-2004 16:56									#95
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quote: Originally posted by ravagon

What are you doing posting after hours? Oh. I forgot. You're now twenty years and three hours behind us.

quote: Oh, and may I say, yet again, that Toulouse is still absolutely my favourite French team?

Save your sanity. As a former occupier of the Toulouse bandwagon, I can tell you it's not worth the heartache.

	06-12-2004 19:48									#96
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quote: Originally posted by ravagon Tamerlin, Tamerlin wherefore art thou. I crave thine wisdom ... (Any tidbits from LDiCesare too would be most welcome).

You have something to ask, I guess...

quote: Oh, and may I say, yet again, that Toulouse is still absolutely my favourite French team?

You really want it... fayot !

quote: Altarian Prophecies has just come out over here (the boxed retail version I mean) and I need opinions. Worth it or not? Still haven't really gotten into the basic game very deeply but I plan to change this in the near future.

I have only played the basic game though I have the add-on, I have not yet tested it. I think that LDiCesare should have, but you should be able to make up your mind by reading the Galactic Civilizations threads. As far as I know the storyline is extended and there are many things that have been added.

	07-12-2004 15:16									#97
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quote: Especially in the B&D set: "Whip me, J****! Whip me!".

Good grief. One can only wonder if it has occurred to the players that this audience may be out there?

quote: It's a very show biz expression. Feel free to use it on the terraces.

“Dayglo you are a friend of Dorothy’s!”. Hmm – maybe it could be used.

quote: Pity. The Barbarian tradition deserves better.

As do the clubs?

quote: Didn't Lewsey miss one of the try-leaking tackles against us?

Yep. When he let the Kiwi hooker score.

Cohen was linked with us – but we really don’t need any more wingers. My guess is Saints will now keep him – the main reason he was leaving got sacked a few weeks ago.

quote: Mmm. Scary, wasn't he? Very very scary

Indeed. I see Tigers in his post-AB future. When he is all washed up at 25 or so no doubt. Wonder if he was born in NZ?

So the usual crazy stuff happening – Tony’s former spin meister confirmed for the Lions tour. Sir Ego saying he thinks it unlikely he will select any players not playing in the six nations (not taking Jonny then Clive?) – errant nonsense as if for some reason Jonno says he is available only a total **** head would not take him. Hmm – okay I see the flaw there.

And best of all Matt Dawson (32) complaining that Harry Ellis (22) tried to duff him up:

“Harry had obviously made the decision to get in my face and try to rough me up a bit. But I am a little bit more old school. I will defend myself but I am not going to get involved in stuff like that. It is not the first time Leicester have tried to rough me up a bit but it was that sort of Test-match intensity."

Harry was badgering him as he was persistently tardy in retreating after feeding the ball to the creaky Wasps scrum. But ‘rough him up’? Nothing more than handbags at the worst.

Craig Dowd, a player I have a lot of time for (just a shame he is a Wasp), had a torrid time at the hands of Julian White by the way. At the moment White looks to be set to keep Vickery out of the Lions frame.

And to seal the progression of my opinion of Wasps from fairly positive 18 months ago to entirely negative now the Crowd at the Causeway stadium boo’ed Tigers off the pitch – totally unforgiveable for a Union crowd. I personally may have called the odd West Country fan a Tosser after a game (after all if the cap fits…) – but I have never boo’ed a team off the pitch.

	07-12-2004 16:06									#98
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quote: Originally posted by Havak “Dayglo you are a friend of Dorothy’s!”. Hmm – maybe it could be used.

Even better, only you would know what it means. Oh, and the other friends of Dorothy in the crowd, of course.

quote: As do the clubs?

That means everyone deserves better. Short of not playing club games when Tests and other rep matches are on, meaning about an 11 month season, it can't happen.

quote: Yep. When he let the Kiwi hooker score.

And who was it who fell off Latham?

quote: Indeed. I see Tigers in his post-AB future. When he is all washed up at 25 or so no doubt. Wonder if he was born in NZ?

Actually, I wondered where he was from. He looks Maori.

quote: So the usual crazy stuff happening – Tony’s former spin meister confirmed for the Lions tour.

Bizarre.

quote: And best of all Matt Dawson (32) complaining that Harry Ellis (22) tried to duff him up:

I read that. Dawson wants the Test spot back. Mind games.

quote: I personally may have called the odd West Country fan a Tosser after a game (after all if the cap fits…) – but I have never boo’ed a team off the pitch.

If you call out "Tosser" fifteen times, that constitutes abusing a team.

	07-12-2004 21:39									#99
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something amuses Jonno

	08-12-2004 05:00									#100
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Obviously J****'s smiling in anticipation, waiting his turn. Who's the Tiger with the very low forehead immediately to - from our perspective - Dalaglio's left? He's run headfirst into the back of too many parked cars in his life.

	08-12-2004 14:12									#101
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Save your sanity. As a former occupier of the Toulouse bandwagon, I can tell you it's not worth the heartache.

Oh well, back to Auch I go then ...

Mmmm. Both Rugbyheaven and Planetrugby are running stories dealing with the possible return of both Jonno himself and the subject of his great amusement for the Lions tour.
They have almost opposite takes on the outcome - one stresses that anybody not in the 6N will likely forfeit their chances - the other that Clive & Co are being very careful not to rule anybody out.

Could the truth be somewhere in the middle?
Might we have to wait 6 months to find out?
Is it ravagon's home time? Ooooh yes it is.

	08-12-2004 14:22									#102
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That is Julian White (tighthead) who spends his rugby life running into those parked cars.

The lad with the gaping mouth is Louis Deacon – the lock I believe was about to figure for England until they injured him in an England training session two weeks before the Canada game (this was his second game back). The picture was taken immediately after the incident where Dayglo had Ellis in a headlock – Corry took exception to it so it seems?

quote: That means everyone deserves better. Short of not playing club games when Tests and other rep matches are on, meaning about an 11 month season, it can't happen.

It’s a tough situation – what can we do? For the foreseeable future the autumn Baa-baa game is likely to be against a touring side.

I prefer the Barbarians game in May – right after out season ends. As the A and B England tours head off a C side is assembled and takes on a Barbarians side picked from the international Premiership, French league and (retired) UK capped talent. Despite sounding awful it has actually produced some superb games.

quote: And who was it who fell off Latham?

I honestly can’t remember. My head was in my hands for the second try.

(okay, it was Hodgson I think?)

quote: I read that. Dawson wants the Test spot back. Mind games.

True – but Dawse has shot it unless he quits his BBC contract. Ellis was only playing his natural game – he plays right on the line a lot of the time just as the likes of Stringer and Marshall do. Dawson is more of a Gregan in that he seldom outright boils over (but whines an awful lot!).

quote: If you call out "Tosser" fifteen times, that constitutes abusing a team.

You have filmed me after a Glaws game then?

Wasps in the return leg at our place this Sunday – should be intense. The following Saturday we host Glaws in the knock out cup. Here is hoping for a good six days for me.

	08-12-2004 17:48									#103
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quote: Originally posted by Havak That is Julian White (tighthead) who spends his rugby life running into those parked cars. The lad with the gaping mouth is Louis Deacon – the lock I believe was about to figure for England until they injured him in an England training session two weeks before the Canada game (this was his second game back). The picture was taken immediately after the incident where Dayglo had Ellis in a headlock – Corry took exception to it so it seems?

I especially like the way Corry's knee is heading for Dalaglio's cods. Shocking jerseys, though, I have to say. Tigers, I mean. Look like a s***** shirt.

quote: I prefer the Barbarians game in May – right after out season ends. As the A and B England tours head off a C side is assembled and takes on a Barbarians side picked from the international Premiership, French league and (retired) UK capped talent. Despite sounding awful it has actually produced some superb games.

I'm sure it has. It's the spirit that makes or breaks the matches. But I think Barb teams should include bona fide internationals from around the world. Which means timing is an even bigger problem.

quote: I honestly can’t remember. My head was in my hands for the second try. (okay, it was Hodgson I think?)

He was involved. I think the captain and fullback was too.

quote: True – but Dawse has shot it unless he quits his BBC contract.

He's better than Gomersal. More of a terrier. You need a terrier.

quote: Wasps in the return leg at our place this Sunday – should be intense. The following Saturday we host Glaws in the knock out cup. Here is hoping for a good six days for me.

I might have to listen in to the BBC website for the return match. Listen for the sound of Dalaglio's nuts crunching.

	08-12-2004 20:02									#104
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Hey thanks for that Ravagon – Rugby heaven is indeed the polar opposite isn’t it? Taking what Clive refused to rule out as indication it is likely to happen.

I suspect the bottom line is that is Jonno wants to go, whatever the capacity, space will be found for him. I can also only repeat he appears to be in the form of his life to me so forget this nonsense about not being able to step up to test level.

I am not a huge fan of the new home shirt Finbar (well I say new but it changes in August on it’s two year expiry cycle) as it has no Tiger stripes on the Torso. The Black away shirt is nice – as is the older White one that they still have to wear because so many teams have a black/green home strip – doh!

I agree with you about the Barbarians but sadly I think the Halcyon days of players pitching up regardless are totally gone.

quote: He was involved. I think the captain and fullback was too.

One and the same person of course – and yes he tried to cover but fell off. He is not the worlds best defensive fullback I’ll grant you.

A question of my own – who was opposite Cueto in the defensive pattern when he scored from phase one ball (how very un-English of him)?

quote: He's better than Gomersal. More of a terrier. You need a terrier.

You won’t have seen much of Ellis yet but trust me he is the ‘better terrier’. In fact he is an all around better ball player than Dawse – and also possesses good speed (can and has played on the Wing at League level).

quote: I might have to listen in to the BBC website for the return match. Listen for the sound of Dalaglio's nuts crunching.

I can save you time:

Dayglo (scowling): “they are doing X give us a penalty”

Dawson (whining): “they are doing y give us a penalty please sir” (a polite whiner).

Jonno (scowling and casting an eyebrow shadow on the whole pitch): “What? Are you going to be fair to both sides mate?”

Referee (blowing whistle): “Penalty to Wasps – upsetting Lawrence. Retreat 10 please Martin.”

Martin Corry (speechless through rage): *&^%$!

Harry Ellis (held in the air by the scruff by Dayglo): THWACK (sound of a punch landing).

Oh and amongst all that somewhere we will hopefully score enough tries to offset their penalties.

	09-12-2004 01:31									#105
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Save your sanity. As a former occupier of the Toulouse bandwagon, I can tell you it's not worth the heartache.

:utmostcontempt:

	09-12-2004 05:45									#106
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin :utmostcontempt:

Hey. I was reading in this morning's paper that Napoleon's hand-written draft of his memoirs has been sold for $430,000. Complete with myriad spelling mistakes. The little chap couldn't spell! OTOH, I'm sure he didn't use the American z in place of an s!

	09-12-2004 06:03									#107
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I am not a huge fan of the new home shirt Finbar

It's just the club's colours thrown together. I thought the old original jersey was great.

quote: (well I say new but it changes in August on it’s two year expiry cycle)

I hate that! Fundraising by forcing the fans to buy new jerseys!

quote: A question of my own – who was opposite Cueto in the defensive pattern when he scored from phase one ball (how very un-English of him)?

You mean after the decoy runners had obstructed the defence? But it was a very S12 move, wasn't it? From memory, I think Cueto marked Tuquiri on the day but I don't know whether Lote was opposite him. I honestly can't remember.

quote: You won’t have seen much of Ellis yet but trust me he is the ‘better terrier’. In fact he is an all around better ball player than Dawse – and also possesses good speed (can and has played on the Wing at League level).

Get him into the team. But, of course, I know I'm preaching to the converted.

quote: I can save you time: Dayglo (scowling): “they are doing X give us a penalty” Dawson (whining): “they are doing y give us a penalty please sir” (a polite whiner). Jonno (scowling and casting an eyebrow shadow on the whole pitch): “What? Are you going to be fair to both sides mate?” Referee (blowing whistle): “Penalty to Wasps – upsetting Lawrence. Retreat 10 please Martin.” Martin Corry (speechless through rage): *&^%$! Harry Ellis (held in the air by the scruff by Dayglo): THWACK (sound of a punch landing). Oh and amongst all that somewhere we will hopefully score enough tries to offset their penalties.

It's a pity I'll know the result. They're showing HC matches here on Fox Sports about a week after they're played. In fact, I'd better keep an eye out for last weekend's match. Last night they showed Edinburgh -v- Dragons. Talk about dreary.

	09-12-2004 14:48									#108
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quote: I thought the old original jersey was great.

The classic broad hoops of the late 80s and early 90s? Yes they were tiger shirts all right.

Changing Jerseys is now such an important commercial part of any clubs life that it is not going to go away. Shame – but that is Professional Sport for you.

quote: You mean after the decoy runners had obstructed the defence?

Yes why were the Wallabies running in front of their own tacklers like that?

quote: Get him into the team. But, of course, I know I'm preaching to the converted.

Absolutely. One more howler from Gomersall under pressure (probably against Wales) and I think the time will be upon us.

quote: Last night they showed Edinburgh -v- Dragons. Talk about dreary.

What is most sad is that Wales, Scotland and Ireland have all formed Super Provincial sides to play in this competition – and most are just as low quality as these two. You will see decent showing from Leinster, Munster and sometimes Scarlets but the rest are a waste of space…

Dallaglio has declared himself available for the Lions on the grounds he played against players that would be going last weekend and felt up to it. Sorry Dayglo but Corry was by far the best number 8 on the field. No bias there.

	09-12-2004 22:08									#109
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Hey. I was reading in this morning's paper that Napoleon's hand-written draft of his memoirs has been sold for $430,000. Complete with myriad spelling mistakes. The little chap couldn't spell!

A military career is not compatible with a good spelling. He proved to be very talented as a military from the very start of his enlistment so we can imagine it is genetical rather than a typical case of Acquired Literacy Deficiency Syndrom.

quote: OTOH, I'm sure he didn't use the American z in place of an s!

Typical case of ALDS!

	10-12-2004 12:07									#110
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin A military career is not compatible with a good spelling. He proved to be very talented as a military from the very start of his enlistment so we can imagine it is genetical rather than a typical case of Acquired Literacy Deficiency Syndrom.

Wellington only won Waterloo because he could spell. Just imagine - if la petite grenouille had been a half decent speller, you'd be Havak's lord and master today instead of vice versa.

	10-12-2004 12:16									#111
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Changing Jerseys is now such an important commercial part of any clubs life that it is not going to go away. Shame – but that is Professional Sport for you.

You should start a campaign along the line of Classic Ale. Classic Jerseys!

quote: Yes why were the Wallabies running in front of their own tacklers like that?

That's the sort of thing I'd expect from Tamerlin.

quote: Dallaglio has declared himself available for the Lions on the grounds he played against players that would be going last weekend and felt up to it. Sorry Dayglo but Corry was by far the best number 8 on the field. No bias there.

Is he serious? Or stupid? Probably just an egomaniac. He was past it when he retired. In fact, it was one of the more cunning retirements. Just in time. A bit like Clive's.

	10-12-2004 14:29									#112
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quote: Wellington only won Waterloo because he could spell. Just imagine - if la petite grenouille had been a half decent speller, you'd be Havak's lord and master today instead of vice versa.

Between the two Generals there is no comparison. The undefeated Iron Duke versus the dyslexic serial loser of battles.

Was Wellington the greatest Englishman who ever lived? Probably, excepting the fact he was Irish of course.

quote: Classic Ale. Classic Jerseys!

Classic Ale and Classic Jerseys – a new Mulitbuy idea for the club shop! Cheers!

quote: That's the sort of thing I'd expect from Tamerlin.

I didn’t have time to think of anything better. Heck yes we use decoys – but we still trail a long way behind the Wattle and the Black in doing so to maximum effect.

quote: Is he serious? Or stupid? Probably just an egomaniac

Certainly the latter. Only a muppet would pick him ahead of Corry right now. Oh dear.

I watched the rugby club on Sky last night – all the pundits picked Corry over Dally from last weekends game as being more effective but still picked Dally for the Lions as he is a “true warrior” whatever that means?

They did a number of player v player verdicts from the Wasps game and Tigers won every one – Ellis over Dawson, Moody over Worseley and most pleasing Jonno over Shaw by what Dewi Morris called “a country mile”.

Morris was an England scrum half and played the then 22 year old Dawson. He said he was surprised to hear Matt saying that he was old school and didn’t approve of Ellis roughing him up as “it’s exactly what Matt did to me at that age”.

In other news just as Smith is fit and playing superbly (all three Sky pundits tipped him to be England’s 13 for the six nations) Tindall has a stress fracture of the foot and will miss the first two games (although it’s the same injury that kept breaking down on Moody and keeping him out for ages).

I’ll have a little wager with you lads that England’s backs will line up like this against Wales:

9 Ellis
10 Wilko
11 Healey
12 Hodgson
13 Smith
14 Cueto
15 Robinson

Finbar will have noted number 11. Oh yes VD has declared he wants back in (though I’ll spare you the quotes) – and who knows what will happen unless Lewsey steps up in form.

	10-12-2004 15:45									#113
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Was Wellington the greatest Englishman who ever lived? Probably, excepting the fact he was Irish of course.

Gee, imagine him lining up beside O'Driscoll. What a handy pair.

quote: I didn’t have time to think of anything better. Heck yes we use decoys – but we still trail a long way behind the Wattle and the Black in doing so to maximum effect.

But getting better. Les grenouilles, of course, invented it. I've been hunting for a photo or video of the Cueto try to see who he beat. The only photo I can find shows Latham hanging onto his legs just as he crosses the line.

quote: Morris was an England scrum half and played the then 22 year old Dawson. He said he was surprised to hear Matt saying that he was old school and didn’t approve of Ellis roughing him up as “it’s exactly what Matt did to me at that age”.

Yes. The times I've seen Dawson, he wasn't afraid to dish it out. And commit professional fouls.

quote: Tindall has a stress fracture of the foot and will miss the first two games

All that unexpected goal kicking.

quote: I’ll have a little wager with you lads that England’s backs will line up like this against Wales: 9 Ellis 10 Wilko 11 Healey 12 Hodgson 13 Smith 14 Cueto 15 Robinson Finbar will have noted number 11. Oh yes VD has declared he wants back in (though I’ll spare you the quotes) – and who knows what will happen unless Lewsey steps up in form.

Oh well. Recycling fringe players instead of looking to the future. He's better than H Paul, but the point remains the same. Sad, really. Hodgson at 12? I hope the Taffys have some muscular chaps who will run straight at him and scare the bejesus out of him.

	10-12-2004 17:51									#114
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quote: Originally posted by finbar That's the sort of thing I'd expect from Tamerlin.

That is something I noted, and disapproved, all along the game but it was so sound a defeat, and the reasons behind it were so numerous, that it is actually something very accessory.

[EDIT] I have just realized ( ) you were writing about the France - Australia game and not about the France - AB Waterloo.



The same note is available for the AB though. [/EDIT]

	10-12-2004 18:48									#115
	Put an end to popups!

If only France had turned up to that game it could have been a classic. As it was it was an exhibition match.

quote: Gee, imagine him lining up beside O'Driscoll. What a handy pair.

Well I guess Umaga et al might be a little surprised to find BOD crashing ball with the Heavy Cavalry on his heel?

quote: I've been hunting for a photo or video of the Cueto try to see who he beat. The only photo I can find shows Latham hanging onto his legs just as he crosses the line.

I think there was a forward in the mix. I’ve got it somewhere so will see if I can face watching it again.

quote: Yes. The times I've seen Dawson, he wasn't afraid to dish it out. And commit professional fouls.

Cannot stand the chap. Except in an England shirt of course where he is totally innocent of everything you suggest.

quote: Hodgson at 12? I hope the Taffys have some muscular chaps who will run straight at him and scare the bejesus out of him.

The Centres are not bulky men that I recall – but there is Thomas and Shanklin behind them to do that job.

Healey is backwards looking I agree - but in the short term he may help as we need to win the 6N and Healey is a winner. We should have beaten you with him playing as Plank would have seen red very quickly I suspect - Plank hates being danced around as I recall?

The Hodgson at 12 experiment has been tried before so I can see it happening. Plus Centre is becoming a problem position – Smith is very much the only shining light at the moment. There are others (Noon, Stephenson) but they have never convinced me.

You know the more I think about it the more amazed I am that Wales pushed the ABs so hard – and that France capitulated. Strange series of games.

*edit* I see Perth has secured the S14 franchise that was on offer to Aus?

	10-12-2004 19:42									#116
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Between the two Generals there is no comparison. The undefeated Iron Duke versus the dyslexic serial loser of battles.

I disagree with the word "serial".

quote: Was Wellington the greatest Englishman who ever lived?

I am rather surprised by the question, I thought it was undubitably Mr Jonno himself...

quote: I didn’t have time to think of anything better. Heck yes we use decoys – but we still trail a long way behind the Wattle and the Black in doing so to maximum effect.

So you are not guilty because you are less guilty than the others.

	10-12-2004 20:37									#117
	Remove this text

No we are guilty all right - I just wish we were as good at being guilty as the others are.

Serial = multiple or consecutive losses = Boney?

Undefeated = never lost a battle he commanded = Wellington?

Absolutely it is Jonno btw.

I was poking fun at the fact that Wellington has featured in polls as the 'greatest Englishman ever' when he was actually born in Dublin.

	11-12-2004 04:18									#118
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Healey is backwards looking I agree - but in the short term he may help as we need to win the 6N and Healey is a winner. We should have beaten you with him playing as Plank would have seen red very quickly I suspect - Plank hates being danced around as I recall?

Wishful thinking on your part that he would have succumbed to VD, I think. He was too committed to the cause. He had several opportunities to go over the top during the match and restrained himself. Besides, I think the carry on between them from the Lions trip is old hat now.

quote: You know the more I think about it the more amazed I am that Wales pushed the ABs so hard – and that France capitulated. Strange series of games.

Very strange. Every team seemed to have a blinder, followed - or preceded - by a rubbish match. Very inconsistent. Their first half against us aside, England was probably the only team that was consistent. We were crap in the extreme against France - while they had a blinder - but we came out against you and played our best half of rugby for 12 months. Yes, we traditionally lift, but the performance fitted an odd autumn pattern.

quote: *edit* I see Perth has secured the S14 franchise that was on offer to Aus?

Probably inevitable, and probably the right decision. Melbourne offered much more sponsorship money, a better stadium, probably bigger crowds. Its downsides were (a) the competition from AFL with its ten teams based in Melbourne. Even though the timing and structure of S12 means the two codes would only clash on three or four days (or nights) in a season, there was a perception that rugby would get lost; and (b) its location on the eastern seaboard alongside Sydney and Brisbane, already home to teams.

OTOH, Perth only has two AFL teams - it's always been an AFL-oriented state, but an outpost - and a s***** team. There's room for rugby to take hold and grow, and its location - away from the eastern seaboard - is seen as a chance to spread the game nationally. Its location also means less of a hike for the South African teams. Currently, they travel to and through Perth on their way to play in the eastern states. Now the journey will be broken to play a match. Of course, it makes for a very long trip for the Kiwi teams. Tough sh*t. And, a factor that seems to have weighed heavily - while Melbourne offered more sponsorship money, it was all Government and corporate. Perth offered less, with a lot of it Government and corporate, but a fair slice of it community-based. In other words, there was potential for the community to embrace the team. Which is the story of the ACT Brumbies.

	11-12-2004 19:42									#119
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Altarian Prophecies has just come out over here (the boxed retail version I mean) and I need opinions. Worth it or not?

It's worth buying if you like scenarios or large maps with many races (you can have up to 7). I'm not sure it adds much more to the game. There are new ships, but I personally never saw/used them, so that didn't add much to the game or me. I'd suggest playing the original galciv first and but the expansion only if you feel like starting the campaign.

Now back to rugby.
I must say that we just beat the teal of the referees yester'evening. Both teams short on replacements (we were 16, they were 17, we ended 15 and they 14), but we beat them. I am particularly proud that I managed to collapse a maul and get them penalised. The ref didn't see my small frame and thought they had fallen all by themselves (yeah...) and then they did some blunder playing the ball on the ground and got penalised. I fooled 16 referees!
An interesting tidbit of the match: We lacked players so we played a back as prop. The guy wore the gloves that are apparently fashionable among players wearing 2 figures on the back of their shirt. You may have seen them, gloves with cut fingers ("mitaines") that are supposed to let you better grip the ball. On the hands of a prop. Lots of fun commenting these under the scrum.

	12-12-2004 03:40									#120
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare I am particularly proud that I managed to collapse a maul and get them penalised. The ref didn't see my small frame and thought they had fallen all by themselves (yeah...) and then they did some blunder playing the ball on the ground and got penalised. I fooled 16 referees!

That qualifies you for an England jersey!

quote: An interesting tidbit of the match: We lacked players so we played a back as prop. The guy wore the gloves that are apparently fashionable among players wearing 2 figures on the back of their shirt. You may have seen them, gloves with cut fingers ("mitaines") that are supposed to let you better grip the ball. On the hands of a prop. Lots of fun commenting these under the scrum.

And contested scrums with a girlie playing as prop? Your national team should take note!

EDIT. I also note that Toulouse reversed the result against Saints. As they should have! Now it's fingers crossed for Wasps to do the same against Tigers!