08-02-2003 19:17									#61
	Put an end to popups!

I just played a match yesterday in a horrible kind of muck. Any idea about what the field in Twickers will look like next week?
I learned that deVilliers' control wasn't legal because such tests are supposed to be made at certain dates around matches etc. which means he cannot suffer sports penalties for that.
I disn't see Califano play recently. Has he really lost his edge? I know DE vIlliers is the best prop we have in France now along with Crenca, but it is hard to know how far beyond the other players are.

	08-02-2003 19:24									#62
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

DeVilliers, apparently, will get off on a technicality. He was being tested for substances that are on the rugby banned list. Recreational drugs aren't, apparently, on the banned list. Technically, he returned a clean result. You're safe, Tamerlin, go for your life.

	09-02-2003 01:42									#64
	Support Apolyton

Brumbies 14
Blues 29

I don't suppose there was any coverage of this one Finbar? I would have loved to see it, but of course it wasn't on here.
Looks like it was a very comfortable victory for the Blues, but we do have to keep in mind that the Brumbies were missing several of their star players. Taking that into consideration I would say the two teams are probably about equal. Still, I reckon Auckland might be a team to look out for this year.

	09-02-2003 04:43									#65
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Brumbies 14 Blues 29 I don't suppose there was any coverage of this one Finbar? I would have loved to see it, but of course it wasn't on here. Looks like it was a very comfortable victory for the Blues, but we do have to keep in mind that the Brumbies were missing several of their star players. Taking that into consideration I would say the two teams are probably about equal. Still, I reckon Auckland might be a team to look out for this year.

There's no coverage of any of these trial matches. I wouldn't read anything at all into any of these results (as such) because key players are either not playing or coming off the bench. Gregan and Giffen were missing from the Brumbies team and Larkham came off the bench at halftime. They're bona fide trial matches - experimenting, trying out rookies, preparing for the real thing.

Last night, Queensland beat the Crusaders 19-17 in Brisbane.

It's also still stinking hot all around the country and the S12 comp kicks off within 2 weeks. Ice packs will be the order of the day.

	09-02-2003 04:49									#66
	Support Apolyton

quote: Originally posted by finbar DeVilliers, apparently, will get off on a technicality. He was being tested for substances that are on the rugby banned list. Recreational drugs aren't, apparently, on the banned list. Technically, he returned a clean result.

An update on this, and a clarification. The report now is that, under French law, there is no provision for random tests for drugs other than those (tests) asked for by the French Union. DeVilliers was being specifically tested for steroid use. He might get off on the technicality, but, on the other hand, he might not. It all depends whether there is any French Union law about "bringing the game into disrepute, etc". I would imagine that lawyers will enter the equation if he's banned.

	09-02-2003 04:59									#67
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Wales(burg) - 'probably the best...'rugby playing nation'...in the world'

	09-02-2003 05:00									#68
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Results of interest to the thread:

Gloucester vs Bath 29-16

This puts Bath at the bottom of the ladder, 2 points adrift of Newcastle. Might Bath be relegated? If the relegation system is allowed to operate as it should?

Leicester vs Bristol 40-6 

Tamerlin - I lost my bookmarks when I upgraded my computer. Can you post that address for the French results, please?

	09-02-2003 08:42									#69
	Put an end to popups!

I don't know if this is the same link but this address is very complete:

http://www.totalrugby.com/PAGES/championnat.asp

	09-02-2003 09:01									#70
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I don't know if this is the same link but this address is very complete: http://www.totalrugby.com/PAGES/championnat.asp

Different address but it serves the same purpose! Thanks.

	09-02-2003 09:42									#71
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

This link seems more reliable:

http://www.lnr.fr/menus.asp

	09-02-2003 12:27									#72
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Might be more reliable, but the other one has more info on the page!

	09-02-2003 17:21									#73
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

Yes but I have noticed some inconsistencies in the informations presented in Totalrugby.com, the results and the points owned by the french teams are not all good.

	09-02-2003 20:39									#74
	Remove this text

Havak slips casually by and mentions Jonno got yellow carded yesterday and that it was a truly ludicrous refereeing decision (yet again).

Fortunately the automatic one game ban will only affect the Glaws semi-final - not like it's an important game or anything.

Even the Sky team thought it was very harsh.

	10-02-2003 03:03									#75
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Yes but I have noticed some inconsistencies in the informations presented in Totalrugby.com, the results and the points owned by the french teams are not all good.

Agggghhhhhh! Thanks for that. The original site you gave me - the one I lost along with my bookmarks - was a good one. I wonder which one it was?

	10-02-2003 03:04									#76
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

quote: Originally posted by Havak Havak slips casually by and mentions Jonno got yellow carded yesterday and that it was a truly ludicrous refereeing decision (yet again). Fortunately the automatic one game ban will only affect the Glaws semi-final - not like it's an important game or anything. Even the Sky team thought it was very harsh.

Havak slips casually by on the weekend to launch a pre-emptive defence.

Edit. A-ha! On further checking, it turns out that Havak failed to mention that the automatic ban kicks in because this was J****'s third yellow card in twelve months. Say no more.

	10-02-2003 03:47									#77
	Remove this text

quote: Originally posted by finbar Agggghhhhhh! Thanks for that. The original site you gave me - the one I lost along with my bookmarks - was a good one. I wonder which one it was?

I don't remember but it will be difficult to find a more accurate one than the "League Nationale de Rugby" site as this organism is managing the professional competitions in France. The site of the FFR (Fédération Française de Rugby) is even less accurate.

	10-02-2003 09:35									#78
	Remove this text

quote: Originally posted by finbar Edit. A-ha! On further checking, it turns out that Havak failed to mention that the automatic ban kicks in because this was J****'s third yellow card in twelve months. Say no more.

12 months??!!
Yellow cards last for 12 months? Not having seen a whole lot of English domestic rugby perhaps I shouldn't judge - maybe they're very hard to come by and only given out for extreme offenses - but 3 in 12 months leading to an auto-ban sounds pretty harsh ...
Not to mention that 12 months at this stage implies that the first was given out last season ...

[Edit: Apparently this last was for a professional foul. A somewhat different matter - ignoring, for the time being, any question regarding the call of course ]

	10-02-2003 10:51									#79
	Got spare money?

I just played in the annual Jesterfest tournament here. Today was the high school day of the tournament. My team did decent with a 2-2 record, although we should have defeated the first team we played, we were short some players and had a lot of new players trying to learn the ropes. I ran the gamet of positions today playing outside center, wing, prop, and eightman

It was a fun day, even though I was thoroughly beat up by the end. I'm looking forward to the regular season and am hoping to go back to my beloved position on the flank.

	10-02-2003 13:41									#80
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

quote: Any idea about what the field in Twickers will look like next week?

It should be firm and pristine. There’s been little rain and a cold snap. The surface should be in good nick.

quote: A-ha! On further checking, it turns out that Havak failed to mention that the automatic ban kicks in because this was J****'s third yellow card in twelve months. Say no more.

Lets say plenty more.

Card one – Saracens. Robbie Russell climbs on Jonno’s back, he throws one punch to clear the little git and only the retaliator gets carded. Borderline.

Card two – Harlequins two weeks ago. Killing the ball near our try line. Ludicrous, there’s no way the ref was placed to say it was J.

Saturday. Jonno takes the man as the man takes the ball. It was good intuitive play from a line out and borderline for even a penalty. The moronic ref cards the player without consulting his touch officials (but then he didn’t do that all game for yet another SH coached team visiting us).

The papers yesterday were analysing how J now gets reffed differently to other players. Even the Bristol coach disagreed with the card.

And now one of the worlds best players misses a huge club game because of a hasty official. I’m still not happy.

He makes the France game though!

By the way – Gibson. Not impressed. Looks like he is ‘pension earning’ to be honest, not enough commitment by far. Kafer made him look second best (had one of his better games actually).

More positively it was a decent performance from us. Signs even that forwards and backs has the same game plan. I hope we have turned the corner.

The match report is here


Tiger v Bristol

	10-02-2003 15:29									#81
	Suffering from ads?

quote: Originally posted by Bearcat I just played in the annual Jesterfest tournament here. Today was the high school day of the tournament. My team did decent with a 2-2 record, although we should have defeated the first team we played, we were short some players and had a lot of new players trying to learn the ropes. I ran the gamet of positions today playing outside center, wing, prop, and eightman

You sound like a one-man team!

	10-02-2003 15:59									#82
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Originally posted by Havak The papers yesterday were analysing how J now gets reffed differently to other players.

That happens to some players. Usually for a reason.

quote: By the way – Gibson. Not impressed. Looks like he is ‘pension earning’ to be honest, not enough commitment by far. Kafer made him look second best (had one of his better games actually).

Which Gibson is this?

quote: The match report is here

I've already read it.

	10-02-2003 18:03									#83
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Daryl Gibson I believe.

yes some players get reffed strictly. Normally it is because of trial by media unfortunately - rather than justified as you imply. Martin falls into this category sadly.

Fortunately he will lead England out Saturday. France would have been delighted if he wasn't no doubt.

	10-02-2003 20:59									#84
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Béziers 15 - 18 Stade Toulousain

The Stade Toulousain has won the game with a small margin though it could have lead the game easily without too many handling errors which have helped its opponent to remain in the match until the end. Is this the "Leicester" syndrome?

Countdown until the end of England's invincibility record at Twickenham: 6 days...

	10-02-2003 21:13									#85
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Originally posted by finbar There's no coverage of any of these trial matches. I wouldn't read anything at all into any of these results (as such) because key players are either not playing or coming off the bench. Gregan and Giffen were missing from the Brumbies team and Larkham came off the bench at halftime. They're bona fide trial matches - experimenting, trying out rookies, preparing for the real thing. Last night, Queensland beat the Crusaders 19-17 in Brisbane.

Yes, I suppose their predictive power is rather limited. It's still fun to speculate though.

quote: It's also still stinking hot all around the country and the S12 comp kicks off within 2 weeks. Ice packs will be the order of the day.

Send us some heat and we'll send you some ice.

	10-02-2003 22:57									#86
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: It was a fun day, even though I was thoroughly beat up by the end.

I understand that. It took me the full week-end to recover from my friday evening match. As for 4 positions in the day, that's quite good. I once managed almost the same in a match (13,15,8,2). The problem is adapting to the situation.
And don't fool yourself, most teams are always short on experienced players, have new players who don't play at the same level at the others, and must make do with the players they have on a given day, particularly at amateur level. For instance, I played hooker last day (though I still try to pretend I am a scrum half), was pinioned captain for lack of someone else to fit the role, and had several props in the game, who normally play flanker, lock, center and (flanker or center) respectively.

	11-02-2003 03:38									#87
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare I played hooker last day (though I still try to pretend I am a scrum half)

Meaning you still haven't passed the ball to the President?

	11-02-2003 03:41									#88
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by Havak Normally it is because of trial by media unfortunately - rather than justified as you imply.

Only implied? Mmmmmm. I must be slipping.

quote: Fortunately he will lead England out Saturday. France would have been delighted if he wasn't no doubt.

Speaking of which, what's the latest on our Party Hound friend Mr DeVilliers?

	11-02-2003 07:27									#89
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by finbar Speaking of which, what's the latest on our Party Hound friend Mr DeVilliers?

Technically, it seems he should not be sanctionned because the control was not directly related to a current competition.

The Stade Français has not allowed him to play last saturday and he is not selected for England-France.



Countdown until the end of England's invincibility record at Twickenham: 5 days...

	11-02-2003 07:39									#90
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by finbar You sound like a one-man team!

Mind you they were all different games

*pictures himself running around the field from position to position*