30-10-2002 05:32									#181
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Will he be cured in time to play against France ?

You really want it easy, don't you?

	30-10-2002 05:52									#182
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quote: Originally posted by finbar You really want it easy, don't you?

I don't understand what you mean !

	30-10-2002 07:10									#183
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Is this more of your lovely dry Gallic wit? Or did I really baffle you?

	30-10-2002 13:44									#184
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quote: So we have three fences!

Not any more. Which is where we came in on this one.

quote: Mrs finbar has her own addictions - various mindless computer games, gadgets for the kitchen, fitness regimes, etc - so she can't grizzle about mine. So I tell her.

That final qualifier is the key isn’t it? I suspect that is about as successful as when I do the same thing?

quote: So, if we win, we can take you for granted again?

Possibly.

quote: I must set up a Wallaby -v- Romania match immediately

I wouldn’t advise it. No challenge. Only one of our games in that run was against them but it sure raised the average try count.

quote: They did us in Paris!

So they did. I was so looking forward to the next time they did it I forgot it occurred last year. That was not exactly a successful tour last time out was it?

quote: Promise the french players an awful defeat and they win...

I don’t like the sound of that with you due to visit Twickers this time around!

quote: OTOH, he'll probably offer me 25 points start against his mob

Not at all. Given your contention that we are not very good despite recent results I think it is England that should receive a 25 head start – and yourself be banned from backing anyone but the Wallabies.

What do you other guys reckon?

quote: This is a real licence to kill.

Sadly it reinforces what we have said several times, the South Africans have not taken this seriously. I would honestly consider kicking them out of international competition now, as Assault should warrant more than just a tinpot fine.

	30-10-2002 16:28									#185
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Not any more. Which is where we came in on this one.

As Stan Laurel would say - I'm glad we finally sorted it out, Ollie.

quote: So they did. I was so looking forward to the next time they did it I forgot it occurred last year. That was not exactly a successful tour last time out was it?

It wasn't a huge surprise. New coach, key players missing. I learned a long time ago to be realistic. That's why I have my fingers crossed for Saturday against the Pumas.

quote: Given your contention that we are not very good despite recent results

Not at all. I questioned two things: (a) that they're as good as you say they are; and (b) winning stats that include games against pretty ordinary oppo.

*consults his Larousse for Humble Pie recipes*

	30-10-2002 18:41									#186
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I don't think you need keep the fingers crossed. The Pumas deteriorated over the course of the summer games - I'm wondering how much they will want it at the weekend.

quote: Not at all. I questioned two things: (a) that they're as good as you say they are; and (b) winning stats that include games against pretty ordinary oppo

Well good grief naturally they are not as good as I say they are!

But it would make for boring threads if I didn't stir things up as the sole Englishman in residence.

England are contempories of the Wallabies and All Blacks - and I honestly think they are now a small step above the Boks just like those contempories are. We can beat either your mob or Caligastia's on our day - but not every day. Maybe half the days in question.

And I still live for the day we beat your mob down there - and like Xmas I reckon that is coming.

Now you have made me be boring and realistic I'll have to forget I said any of this for the sake of the thread.

I do think it's a little unfair about the ordinary oppo. One thing I am serious about is that when England visit places like Cardiff, Dublin and Edingburgh they get a much more psyched up welcome from those teams than yourselves or the ABs do - it tangibly means more in those fixtures to those teams. Unless you have seen the difference it is really hard to explain.

Ironic timing as this is I just read that our backup fly half will miss all three Internationals as he needs knee surgery. They are talking of Mike Catt coming in as cover despite only having played three games back from serious injury - (one eek for both points!)

	30-10-2002 19:50									#187
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quote: One thing I am serious about is that when England visit places like Cardiff, Dublin and Edingburgh they get a much more psyched up welcome from those teams than yourselves or the ABs do - it tangibly means more in those fixtures to those teams. Unless you have seen the difference it is really hard to explain.

I have to agree with Havak here. In the Tournament, all teams have one goal, beating the english. The French because they know they can win the trophy if they do, the Celts because that's the English they are facing. Just to get an idea, you should realize that the Tournament draws much more people to the stadiums (and TV) than casual games like a tour. I remember matches in France vs. South Africa where you could find a seat very easily in the stadium, whereas getting a seat for any match of the Tournoi is very very hard. No, when I think of it, it is even harder than that. Players are much more motivated in the Tournament than in tour games. Against England, it certainly makes a difference.

	30-10-2002 22:32									#188
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Fox Sports World is having a 6 nations/european cup review show on thursday night.

Which european cup teams do all you NH people support? I'd like to know whose teams I'm watching when I see the show.

	31-10-2002 02:25									#189
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Is this more of your lovely dry Gallic wit? Or did I really baffle you?

	31-10-2002 02:36									#190
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Which european cup teams do all you NH people support? I'd like to know whose teams I'm watching when I see the show.

I'am a proud supporter of the best team in the world... Ahem! Cough! Cough!... : the Stade Toulousain.

	31-10-2002 02:43									#191
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I don’t like the sound of that with you due to visit Twickers this time around!

The remedy is very simple, a few days before the game your newspapers and coaches just need to say the French team will win at Twickenham because they are simply the best european team.

Warranted Result !

	31-10-2002 02:45									#192
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin

Saputo! (My French failed me so I resorted to Italian )

	31-10-2002 02:56									#193
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I don't think you need keep the fingers crossed. The Pumas deteriorated over the course of the summer games - I'm wondering how much they will want it at the weekend.

I have no doubt they'll want it. Whether they can do it is a different thing. They're playing at the River Plate Stadium - apparently it's the first time we've played there. Odd. I wonder where we played the other times?

Now, of course, Wendell Sailor has been declared fit to continue. It's turning into a soap opera!

But Jeremy Paul has tanged his hammy, rookie Adam Freier will start as hooker, and Brendan Cannon has been placed on standby to join the squad if Paul's hammy doesn't come up. Beaut.

quote: Now you have made me be boring and realistic I'll have to forget I said any of this for the sake of the thread.

How I love winding you up into serious mode!

quote: One thing I am serious about is that when England visit places like Cardiff, Dublin and Edingburgh they get a much more psyched up welcome from those teams than yourselves or the ABs do - it tangibly means more in those fixtures to those teams. Unless you have seen the difference it is really hard to explain.

Passion is one thing, class is something else altogether.

	31-10-2002 03:00									#194
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I'am a proud supporter of the best team in the world... Ahem! Cough! Cough!... : the Stade Toulousain.

Yellow card for redundancy!

	31-10-2002 03:57									#195
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Yellow card for redundancy!

Redundancy ! Who ? Me, Sir ?

	31-10-2002 05:01									#196
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Redundancy ! Who ? Me, Sir ?

	31-10-2002 08:48									#197
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Detective RB is on the case for the phantom prop

Seriously, the contract dispute between the Blues and the Chiefs isn't over. Both want him to play for them in the Super 12, but both teams have named him in their squads

Mark Robinson from North Harbour has lost his Super 12 place in the Blues to Auckland's Steve Devine.

	31-10-2002 14:12									#198
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The English situation is a little different to how LDiCesare has summarised the French scene, in that hosting touring sides like the ABs,Wallabies and Boks also sells out Twickers. But few other teams can fill it outside of the six nations.

And the lottery for tickets to the France clash is just silly – you have almost no chance even from a club like Leicester.

What I also want to know is does Caligastia need a reminder of my team? They are the defending Champions.

The European rounds are finished for six weeks so it’s hard to think what that channel will be showing you?

quote: just need to say the French team will win at Twickenham because they are simply the best european team.

Thank you for the tip. I hope it works!

quote: I wonder where we played the other times?

I can’t really help here. But it is a big country I suppose.

The injury saga Jones is having with the squad made me smile given the BBC Sport website did an article “A November to remember” claiming you were bringing a ‘virtually full strength side’. Mind you whoever wrote the article also though THAT Luger try was last year so it was shoddy journalism all round.

quote: How I love winding you up into serious mode!

You are a devil sir!

As you must be well aware by now I have absolutely no natural proclivity for being serious.

quote: Passion is one thing, class is something else altogether

Sometimes that passion can be enough. It saw Scotland through against us in a torrential downpour in Edingburgh in 2000. They had little class but they still ‘wanted’ it enough to endure the conditions better than we did.

Interesting trivia – the Slam fluffing games against Scotland and Ireland did not feature one Mr Johnson. Dallaglio skippered the one against Wales (and very badly – you should be hoping Clive makes him England captain again trust me!). The only one Jonno helmed was the one in Paris this year – and that was no disgrace.

Uh hold on - Jonno, England, Tigers - I just felt kind of compelled to blurt that out for some reason!

It still rankles that France can win a Slam by just beating England – the Celts always roll over against them in a way they just don’t do for us. Bitter and twisted? Me? Of course!

We play London Wasps on Saturday at our place. They are Captained by Mr Dallaglio and it's always nice to see him and Martin on opposite sides.

	31-10-2002 18:33									#199
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This one is especially for Finbar.

Check it out here



Mehrtens is of course well known for his outspoken anti-English sentiments but I include this for Caligastia anyway.

so SH teams don't rub it in when they win then?

Last edited by Havak on 31-10-2002 at 18:41

	31-10-2002 19:58									#200
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quote: Originally posted by Havak What I also want to know is does Caligastia need a reminder of my team?

For some reason I thought the European Cup teams were different from the ones in the Premiership.

quote: The European rounds are finished for six weeks so it’s hard to think what that channel will be showing you?

Dunno, but I'll let you know.

quote: Mehrtens is of course well known for his outspoken anti-English sentiments but I include this for Caligastia anyway.

I love this quote from Mehrtens:

"He said the main motivation would come from the fact that England like to "gloat" when they win and regards a loss to them as among the worst experiences in any player's careers."

Oh the humanity!

	31-10-2002 21:10									#201
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I think Mehrtens means that, while he doesn't like to lose to the English, he likes losing to the French.

	31-10-2002 21:20									#202
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quote: For some reason I thought the European Cup teams were different from the ones in the Premiership

Don’t worry about it.

You assumed the thing worked like S-12 I guess? Actually it is still the domestic clubs that take part as themselves.

quote: Dunno, but I'll let you know

ta muchly.

quote: Oh the humanity!

What I liked was the inference that only England gloat like this. It’s nonsense. He does seem to have something about the English doesn’t he? Oh and referees of course.

quote: I think Mehrtens means that, while he doesn't like to lose to the English, he likes losing to the French.

Superb – I like the way you think LDiCesare.

	31-10-2002 21:39									#203
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Don’t worry about it. You assumed the thing worked like S-12 I guess? Actually it is still the domestic clubs that take part as themselves.

Yeah, I was thinking it was like the super 12. I think you explained it all to me before at some point. When you say the european rounds are finished for six weeks, do you mean the comp is on hold till the fall internationals are over?

If that is the case, then maybe they are just showing highlights of last season.

quote: What I liked was the inference that only England gloat like this. It’s nonsense.

I agree. Australia have been known to gloat in this manner. Of course this is never the case with New Zealand, being the true sportsmen we are...

quote: He does seem to have something about the English doesn’t he? Oh and referees of course.

I think he just has a thing with losing. Thats not necessarily a bad thing though.

	31-10-2002 21:42									#204
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare I think Mehrtens means that, while he doesn't like to lose to the English, he likes losing to the French.

Our players will do their best for Merthens not to be disappointed the 16th of November.

	31-10-2002 21:51									#205
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Our players will do their best for Merthens not to be disappointed the 16th of November.

The 16th is my birthday, so I am hoping for a birthday gift from the All Blacks in the form of a victory.

	01-11-2002 05:07									#206
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quote: Originally posted by Havak This one is especially for Finbar. Check it out here

quote: He said: "I am delighted to be appointed England captain for the New Zealand match. I am looking forward to the challenge."

Gee. Talk about a way with words.

	01-11-2002 05:15									#207
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Mehrtens is of course well known for his outspoken anti-English sentiments but I include this for Caligastia anyway.

quote: "They have forwards that can run like backs and backs that can run like forwards"

OTOH, Mr Mehrtens possibly needs to think before he speaks. Forwards running like backs would be huge bonus. Backs running like forwards would be a dismal sight.

	01-11-2002 05:17									#208
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quote: Originally posted by Havak What I liked was the inference that only England gloat like this.

The only conclusion I can draw is that Andrew Mehrtens has access to our threads and Havak's posts.

	01-11-2002 05:18									#209
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia The 16th is my birthday, so I am hoping for a birthday gift from the All Blacks in the form of a victory.

I just had another look at the AB squad. With Marshall and Kellaher both missing - who's the 5/8?

	01-11-2002 05:35									#210
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Late last night I accidentally discovered that FoxSports is repeating the wonderful "History of Rugby" series. Why they didn't ring me to let me know is beyond me!

Anyway, last night's episode concentrated on the history of French rugby. I must have missed it the first time round.

Frankly, I think it's long overdue for Tamerlin and LDiCesares to go down on bended knee to Havak to thank him for: (a) taking rugby to France in the first place; and (b) teaching the French how to play the game.

That aside, it was a truly fascinating history lesson. I hadn't realised, amongst other things, the importance of French rugby to French politics - French rugby l*****, too, for that matter. (Personally, I would rather the two games had swapped political sides, but that wasn't to be) They covered the classic club final between the two teams (I've forgotten the names) representing the capitalists (Michelin-backed) and the socialists.

I only wish I'd taped the episode.