03-06-2002 19:07									#1
	Rugby! Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Seeing as the title of the thread we were discussing rugby in is irrelevant, Im starting a new one.

Leading up to the Tri-nations tournament it seems that Australia have slightly tougher matches to play than NZ or SA.

Australia play the NZ maori, and France twice.

New Zealand play Italy, and have two matches against Ireland.

South Africa play Wales twice, Argentina once, and one match against the Pacific Warriors.

Will this be an advantage for Australia, or do they need more time to get themselves sorted before taking on tough opponents? I think it may turn out to be an advantage as they will be used to playing at a higher level by the time the tri-nations starts. If they do badly though it could sap their confidence somewhat.

South Africa could do with a few easier opponents at this stage I reckon, what with having a new coach and several new players. For them its a godsend.

	04-06-2002 00:15									#2
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*bump*

	04-06-2002 00:42									#3
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England aren't playing .

	04-06-2002 01:18									#4
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UMBC isn't playing either. I think we're lucky about that.

	04-06-2002 06:42									#5
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Seeing as the title of the thread we were discussing rugby in is irrelevant, Im starting a new one.

Dang! I liked the irrelevancy of the other thread!

quote: Leading up to the Tri-nations tournament it seems that Australia have slightly tougher matches to play than NZ or SA. Australia play the NZ maori, and France twice. New Zealand play Italy, and have two matches against Ireland. South Africa play Wales twice, Argentina once, and one match against the Pacific Warriors. Will this be an advantage for Australia, or do they need more time to get themselves sorted before taking on tough opponents? I think it may turn out to be an advantage as they will be used to playing at a higher level by the time the tri-nations starts. If they do badly though it could sap their confidence somewhat.

It's a damn fine thing the Wallabies are playing tough opponents. One of our problems against the Lions was the lack of time together and tough matchplay.

quote: South Africa could do with a few easier opponents at this stage I reckon, what with having a new coach and several new players. For them its a godsend.

I expect they will want to win for Hansie.

	04-06-2002 12:40									#6
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Oh, and while I think of it, Havak didn't get it quite right about Joe Roff being zorfed by his French club. He got a rocket up the kyber which seemed to work. He started in the centres last week and won the game for them. Jeez, did the Brumbies ever miss him this year.

	04-06-2002 12:50									#7
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quote: Originally posted by finbar I expect they will want to win for Hansie.

	04-06-2002 13:27									#8
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Oh well, no one else had marked the passing of the grasping, pious, hypocritical slug.

	05-06-2002 05:30									#9
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I just saw the NZ Maoris play the Reds, and have no complaints, but isnt the ref supposed to be from an impartial country? He was that aussie guy Peter Marshall.

	05-06-2002 06:29									#10
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It was a tour match. The neutral ref situation applies to games of more import. I'm not sure how the Wallaby -v- Maori game will be graded. BTW, I thought the Maori were a tad unimpressive. I imagine they will lift against the Wallabies. In fact, I know they will.

Looks like Wendell Sailor will start on the wing in the Maori game, Matt Rogers will start on the bench as a back-up 5/8. That's the rumor anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if Rogers starts at inside centre and alternates at 5/8 with Elton Flatley. I suspect that's Eddie Jones' ultimate goal - alternating 5/8s.

	05-06-2002 12:41									#11
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quote: Havak didn't get it quite right

Oh come on, I mean does that sound like me? I'm always right.

the comments I reported were accurate - the Biarritz assistant coach gave an interview to the press saying Roff had been on holiday in France. One good game after that rocket does not a season make - he had two tries all season to that point.

He is apparently returning to the brumbies to stake a place for RWC, and from what I hear the club is glad to see the back of him even now.

	05-06-2002 17:43									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Havak He is apparently returning to the brumbies to stake a place for RWC, and from what I hear the club is glad to see the back of him even now.

Bless the Frogs. Wouldn't know sh*t from clay.

	05-06-2002 18:10									#13
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Ill be watching 3 games in a row on Saturday.

NZ v Italy *yawn*

NZ Maoris v Waratahs - I wonder if the Waratahs have recovered psychologically from their drubbing at the hands of the Crusaders yet...

SA v Wales - Hopefully SA will win, otherwise we might as well name the tri-nations the two-nations this year...

	06-06-2002 04:14									#14
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia NZ Maoris v Waratahs - I wonder if the Waratahs have recovered psychologically from their drubbing at the hands of the Crusaders yet...

It'll be very much a Waratah 2nd XV. Matthew Burke, Matt Rogers, Chris Whitaker, Brendan Cannon, David Lyons and Patricio Noreaga are off in the Wallaby squad. OTOH, Queensland were missing just as many players and they still beat the Maori XV.

	06-06-2002 12:34									#15
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quote: The neutral ref situation applies to games of more import

Are you sure? I know the ARU does this but I don't think we necessarily do for example.

Frankly it is better to avoid it if possible as you do see some shocking displays that could easily be taken as biased. I've seen several but I'm not allowed to mention that tour anymore.

quote: Bless the Frogs. Wouldn't know sh*t from clay.

They acknowledged his potential class as a player, but were a little concerned they were funding his year long European tour.

They do seem to have some grounds for that - certainly when I saw him take the field for them in the European rounds it wasn't the same man who threw everything he has in for the Brumbies. I would almost say he didn't want to get hurt (looking to RWC?)...and you shouldn't be in French club rugby in that case (it's pretty violent at times).

quote: Patricio Noreaga

Ah yes that well known Aussie - one of seven different nationalites in the current Aussie squad I have been told - is that slander that has been passed on to me?

	06-06-2002 12:41									#16
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Are you sure? I know the ARU does this but I don't think we necessarily do for example.

It's the policy here. I'd've been surprised if, over there, a Mid-week Wallabies -v- English Provincial Team (or similar) would have a neutral ref.

quote: Frankly it is better to avoid it if possible as you do see some shocking displays that could easily be taken as biased. I've seen several but I'm not allowed to mention that tour anymore.

You're going to get stinkers from independent refs, too. I've seen it happen, I'm sure you have too. With a half-decent ref, bias is never going to rear its head. Interpretation is a different matter. On that basis, a NH ref in charge of a SH team -v- a NH team playing in the NH is hardly independent in terms of interpretation. The simple solution is to import refs from Mars. I hear they have a healthy comp up there. Winters in the grandstands are a bugger, but.





They acknowledged his potential class as a player, but were a little concerned they were funding his year long European tour.

They do seem to have some grounds for that - certainly when I saw him take the field for them in the European rounds it wasn't the same man who threw everything he has in for the Brumbies. I would almost say he didn't want to get hurt (looking to RWC?)...and you shouldn't be in French club rugby in that case (it's pretty violent at times).



Ah yes that well known Aussie - one of seven different nationalites in the current Aussie squad I have been told - is that slander that has been passed on to me? [/QUOTE]

	06-06-2002 13:26									#17
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quote: It's the policy here. I'd've been surprised if, over there, a Mid-week Wallabies -v- English Provincial Team (or similar) would have a neutral ref.

Oh we would normally be very accomodating and agree to let a Celt do it I suspect.

[quote]The simple solution is to import refs from Mars. I hear they have a healthy comp up there. Winters in the grandstands are a bugger, but.[/qoute]



I've experienced most weather types watching Rugger in England but that could be a little too cold for comfort.

I think there are two English refs involved in the current tours of SH oppostion IIRC. Steve Lander and Chris White. Mr White is okay - a good solid confident ref who lets the game flow (leaning to SH interpretation) and who, quite amusingly, dislikes histrionics - he warned a player last weekend for trying to get a fellow Professional sent off (no it wasn't Jonno!).

Steve Lander? Well as a Tigers fan I can't claim to be unbiased but although he is a solid ref most of the time he seems driven to need to be the star on the pitch. Its leads to crazy situations and poor decisions.

Wales versus SA at the weekend then. Look however bad the Boks are they will not struggle with Wales who are simply terrible. The only team Wales might beat in the top five is England because it is the only game that brings out their passion anymore - beating us in the six nations means more to them than any other game you know.

	06-06-2002 18:21									#18
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quote: Originally posted by finbar It'll be very much a Waratah 2nd XV. Matthew Burke, Matt Rogers, Chris Whitaker, Brendan Cannon, David Lyons and Patricio Noreaga are off in the Wallaby squad. OTOH, Queensland were missing just as many players and they still beat the Maori XV.

Yes, but they didnt have the pshycological demons to deal with.

I expect the Maoris to win the Waratahs game.

	06-06-2002 18:49									#19
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia I expect the Maoris to win the Waratahs game.

Me too. If they don't, they're in bother.

	06-06-2002 18:51									#20
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Me too. If they don't, they're in bother.

Yes, if they lose they can forget about beating the Wallabies. They can probably forget about that anyway.

	06-06-2002 20:03									#21
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Oh it's not that hard chaps

	06-06-2002 20:05									#22
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Oh it's not that hard chaps

Not for New Zealanders anyway...

	06-06-2002 20:42									#23
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I can't say I noticed that in the last tri-nations.

England on the other hand are 2-0 up in the last two encounters (and we don't talk about before that anymore)

	06-06-2002 20:44									#24
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I can't say I noticed that in the last tri-nations. England on the other hand are 2-0 up in the last two encounters (and we don't talk about before that anymore)

What happened in the last tri-nations? For some reason I have no memory of it. All I remember is New Zealand winning all the time.

	06-06-2002 22:13									#25
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You are far too scared to take us on at Fortress Twickenham, though, aren't you?

	06-06-2002 22:15									#26
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scared of humiliating you

	07-06-2002 04:41									#27
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Treat him nicely, Caligastia, he's about the first poster in these Rugby threads who isn't you, me or Havak. Many hands make light work of keeping a thread afloat.

	07-06-2002 04:44									#28
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quote: Originally posted by Havak England on the other hand are 2-0 up in the last two encounters (and we don't talk about before that anymore)

I'm happy to. I'm also perfectly happy to talk about the Lions tour, too.

	07-06-2002 12:31									#29
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What, and super coach Graham Henry? No-one took that tour seriously.

(Well, not after we lost.)

	07-06-2002 12:37									#30
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quote: Originally posted by JohnIII What, and super coach Graham Henry? No-one took that tour seriously. (Well, not after we lost.)

Well, precisely. In the same way that no Australian took the last Wallaby tour of the NH seriously. It's called having your rake and eating it.