11-04-2003 12:48									#271
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quote: Playing as a hooker with a prop who doesn't hold you well is... urgh...

It’s very true – the hooker has to rely on the props to look after him entirely. It’s a very vulnerable position.

quote: Now you've managed to get e raving for a drink and there is no tap Guinness at least 70kms around me

In which case I apologise unreservedly!

It’s not a recent addiction – just one that steps up a gear every time I visit Ireland. The London brewed stuff is not quite as good as the Dublin stuff so I tend to switch back to Ale quite quickly when I return home. I still drink Guiness in bars where I don’t like the Ale.

quote: Come on, Havak, time to freight some Emergency Rations across the channel!

With myself as courier do you think it would survive the journey?

Anyway last time I was driving the Havak beer van down there the Police pulled me over and tried to steal my booze. Long story.

The south of France is one of the few places I’ve been where Guiness is hard to find – it’s a Lager strong hold and there is this other drink they are quite into – I think it’s called Wine?

Tigers versus Munster on Sunday – 4pm BST and live on BBC TV. Finbar will be tucked up in bed but I have no doubt he’ll be dreaming ‘Molly Malone’.

Just don’t tell Mrs Finbar that, given Molly’s reputation.

	11-04-2003 19:14									#272
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By the way congratulations to France on being awarded RWC 07 - I look forward to England lifting the trophy in Paris.

It's worth checking out the Planet Rugby feedback on this - the polls and mailbox tend to be SH dominated so there is some real classic Pom hating tripe on offer.

Saddest though is the Irishman who ignores the subject at hand and continues to rant about the mind games Jonno failed to bow to in Dublin - talk about a sad loser.

	12-04-2003 02:54									#273
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quote: Originally posted by Havak By the way congratulations to France on being awarded RWC 07 - I look forward to England lifting the trophy in Paris.

We are organizing this world cup for US!

Hopefully some games will be played in Toulouse as the Stadiums converted for the 1998's S***** world cup have weighed the balance in favor of France.

	12-04-2003 06:34									#274
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Preview of Eastside vs. Lincoln

We're playing the Lincoln High School team tomorrow at Bloomington Park and bad weather is in the forecast. The last time we played at Bloomington it was a soggy mud-bog and it might turn that way tomorrow. If it does, that should be a point in our favor as our pack is larger than Lincoln's and we should be able to push them around a bit if it comes to that. If not, we will let our backs see plenty of ball and they should prove dangerous to Lincoln as well. Our flyhalf, and captain is back from vacation so that should fix any problems with the link between the forwards and the backs and will free up our centres and fullback who were playing flyhalf in his absence to return to their normal and more comfortable positions.

Lincoln beat us at the pre-season tournament, but we have our full side now and we are keen for revenge. We started to pick it up during the last part of practice on Thursday and put some passion into our play, something we have been lacking this year. If we play like that on Saturday I don't think that Lincoln will stand a chance against us.

	12-04-2003 07:56									#275
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quote: Originally posted by Havak With myself as courier do you think it would survive the journey?

Short of a hasty conversion to Mormonism, probably not.

quote: Anyway last time I was driving the Havak beer van down there the Police pulled me over and tried to steal my booze. Long story.

The likeliest scenario:

SCENE: A FRENCH ROAD
CAST: HAVAK, A FRENCH COPPER

A FRENCH COPPER pulls over a VAN with an usual REGISTRATION PLATE. The REGISTRATION NUMBER is "J****". HAVAK is behind the wheel:

FRENCH COPPER: Bonjour.

HAVAK: What?

FRENCH COPPER: Vous avez un numéro d'immatriculation obscčne, M'sieur.

HAVAK: No, you can't have my beer! Bugger off!

quote: Tigers versus Munster on Sunday ? 4pm BST and live on BBC TV. Finbar will be tucked up in bed but I have no doubt he?ll be dreaming ?Molly Malone?. Just don?t tell Mrs Finbar that, given Molly?s reputation.

Go You Good Paddy Things!

I have a soft spot for Munster, anyway, because Jim Williams is there. He might have been getting on a bit and somewhat injury-prone, but the Brumbies still miss him behind the pack.

	12-04-2003 08:05									#276
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Hurricanes 42 -d- Waratahs 26

Mmmm. Apart from 10 good minutes, back to boiled lollies for the Waratahs - falling off tackles, soft defence, no structure or organisation in attack. Everything they did right last week against the Crusaders was forgotten again. Questions are being asked about Bob Dwyer's coaching. But this is to take nothing away from the Hurricanes. They're in a purple patch of rugby at the moment. They've built a very, very useful pack and they've found a centre - can't remember his name - to partner Umaga who can be just as devastating. The Hurricanes could go a long way in the comp this season.

BTW, the All Blacks tried - and failed - to enlist the devastating Fijian Blues' winger Ropeni Caucau. The IRB said no because he has already represented Fiji. Thank God.

	13-04-2003 01:14									#277
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Eastside vs. Lincoln Post-Game

A very well played game for us, not so much so for Lincoln. We had a good showing of players for our side, and Lincoln could only field 13, so we sent 4 of our players over to play for them. Our returned flyhalf played at outside center today for reasons beyond me but did pretty well in the midfield. I got to start at openside flanker, so I was in a good mood We came out swinging, just smashing into their defense and charging upfield. Our blindside flanker smashed over the line to make it 5-0 very quickly. Lincoln kicked off and we drove forward again, driving up to thier goalline. Our blindside flanker took it up and got tackled at about 7 metres out and our hooker picked the ball and ran it in to make it 10-0.

We never really let them get on the offensive. They had their hands on the ball some, but never really set up phases and never let their backline have a nice, good run. We got up to their goalline again and our tighthead prop grabbed the ball and ran it in to make it 15-0. Our blindside put in his second try and we converted to make it 22-0. Our scrumhalf ran another one in to make it 27-0 going into the half. At half we switched up and sent some of our starters to Lincoln, to get our subs some playing time in our jersey. We sent them our hooker, lock, and loosehead. We had to switch our flyhalf to scrumhalf and bring our outside centre into flyhalf, because our scrumhalf had left the game injured.

We played well througout the second half too but we didn't put any more on the board. Neither did they. Basically our backline ran some more and our forwards ran some more and they ran some but no one touched down. Throughout the game they had problems with high tackles, with the ref pointing out to them at one point that he had already called five high tackles on them. During the second half our scrums and lineouts had problems, as we were using our backup hooker and they had our starter. The loosehead we brought in to replace our starter sucked too, and I had to get on his case to push and at one point he collapsed the scrum

I got to run with the ball some and came close to scoring a couple times. I also had an interesting moment, where I tackled one of their runners and got up to see another runner coming at me so I tackled him All in all it was a good game for us, to wipe away the bitter taste of last week's debacle.

Final Score:
Eastside - 27
Lincoln - 0

	13-04-2003 04:19									#278
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Leinster 18 - Biarritz Olympique 13

Llanelli 19 - Perpignan (USAP) 26

Stade Toulousain 32 - Northampton 16



The Northampton's players have not been very dangerous, and have indeed not showed anything in the first half, to the exeption of a good quarter of an hour in the second half when the Stade Toulousain exhibited a very strong defense. The only try scored by Northampton followed a quickly played penalty and a careless mistake of the players looking at the referee instead of repositionning themeselves...

The Stade Toulousain stayed in full control of the match all along the game and have muzzled Dawson, Ben Cohen and the Saints' attack as a whole (btw, the behavior of some Northampton players barely fits the name "Saintsman" printed on the back of their shirts )...

Great game from Christian Labit (as we say in France: he has been "au four et au moulin"), Trevor Brennan, the pack as a whole, Frédéric Michalack, Emile Ntamack and Xavier Garbajosa. The Stade's back line would be perfect without Cédric Desbrosses who has once again proven he is unable to handle a ball adequately (as far as he previously managed to catch it) after having cleared through the defense...

The referee: well, Mr Lewis must be credited with an appaling performance, how can such a referee be nominated to helm a game of this importance remains a mystery... appaling!

Another good news: the Stade Toulousain should play its H-Cup semi-final at Toulouse against the winner of the... Munster-Leicester game.

	13-04-2003 04:21									#279
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Go Eastside, go!

Congratulations Bearcat, it seems your team is on its way to the top this year...

	13-04-2003 05:28									#280
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat Eastside vs. Lincoln Post-Game Final Score: Eastside - 27 Lincoln - 0

Jeepers, Bearcat, you'll have Havak jumping on your bandwagon soon. He'd love to support a team that can win away from home.

	13-04-2003 05:34									#281
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Llanelli 19 - Perpignan (USAP) 26

Only because Manny Edmonds is playing for them.

quote: Stade Toulousain 32 - Northampton 16

As you say, Tamerlin,

quote: The Northampton's players have not been very dangerous

From my observation, given the talent in their team, the Saints seem to be under-achievers.

quote: Trevor Brennan

Obviously from fine French stock.

quote: The referee: well, Mr Lewis must be credited with an appaling performance, how can such a referee be nominated to helm a game of this importance remains a mystery... appaling!

Tamerlin, I have to say that I'm detecting a pattern in your assessment of referees. If the guy doesn't reek of Gauloise, you bag him!

	13-04-2003 07:24									#282
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Go Eastside, go! Congratulations Bearcat, it seems your team is on its way to the top this year...

Yeah, we're in second or third place in our division and still undefeated, although last Saturday's game was a shambles.

quote: Jeepers, Bearcat, you'll have Havak jumping on your bandwagon soon. He'd love to support a team that can win away from home.

We'd be glad to have Havak on the band wagon, even though we were technically the home team. It suck because we have to wait for the other team to eat first

	13-04-2003 08:05									#283
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat We'd be glad to have Havak on the band wagon, even though we were technically the home team. It suck because we have to wait for the other team to eat first

Whoops! Having to wait for the other team to eat first? I can see Havak leaping off the bandwagon.

	13-04-2003 09:23									#284
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Hurricanes 42 -d- Waratahs 26 Mmmm. Apart from 10 good minutes, back to boiled lollies for the Waratahs - falling off tackles, soft defence, no structure or organisation in attack. Everything they did right last week against the Crusaders was forgotten again. Questions are being asked about Bob Dwyer's coaching. But this is to take nothing away from the Hurricanes. They're in a purple patch of rugby at the moment. They've built a very, very useful pack and they've found a centre - can't remember his name - to partner Umaga who can be just as devastating. The Hurricanes could go a long way in the comp this season.

That other guy with the dreads?

quote: BTW, the All Blacks tried - and failed - to enlist the devastating Fijian Blues' winger Ropeni Caucau. The IRB said no because he has already represented Fiji. Thank God.

Fair enough.

	13-04-2003 10:57									#285
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia That other guy with the dreads?

That's him. I found his name - Ma'a Nonu. Much stockier than Umaga, only 20 or 21 years old, but quick, strong and skilled. He's keeping Alatini out of the team.

	14-04-2003 01:23									#286
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Latest H-Cup result:

Leicester 7 - Munster 20

I won't have the pleasure to meet Havak in Toulouse in a couple of weeks...

The Stade Toulousain will nonetheless have the opportunity to avenge the defeat (and the scandalous behavior of the irish staff) against the Munster a few years ago at Bordeaux.

	14-04-2003 04:06									#287
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Latest H-Cup result: Leicester 7 - Munster 20 I won't have the pleasure to meet Havak in Toulouse in a couple of weeks...

And the world is therefore deprived of the most important meeting of Superheroes since Batman ran into Superman in the deli section of the the Metropolis MiniMart.

quote: The Stade Toulousain will nonetheless have the opportunity to avenge the defeat (and the scandalous behavior of the irish staff) against the Munster a few years ago at Bordeaux.

Mmmm. My allegiances will be sorely tested. How fond am I of Jim Williams as a player? How much do I want Tamerlin to show us a good time when we visit him?

BTW, Bearcat will be dancing in the street. Or around his sitting room anyway.

USA 62 -d- Spain 13

And therefore the USA have virtually locked up a spot in the WRC. That's actually a very good effort by the Eagles. From memory, it's a better scoreline than the Wallabies were able to mount against the Spaniards on the NH tour before last.

	14-04-2003 04:44									#288
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quote: Originally posted by finbar And the world is therefore deprived of the most important meeting of Superheroes since Batman ran into Superman in the deli section of the the Metropolis MiniMart.

I would rather compare myself with Robin (the slim one wearing a red and yellow pair of pyjamas in the original comic strip) rather than Superman...

quote: Mmmm. My allegiances will be sorely tested. How fond am I of Jim Williams as a player? How much do I want Tamerlin to show us a good time when we visit him?

The question is: do you want a good guide to visit the most beautiful places of Toulouse?

quote: USA 62 -d- Spain 13

quote: From memory, it's a better scoreline than the Wallabies were able to mount against the Spaniards on the NH tour before last.

I suppose the Australian players were from a food poisoned out of shape B team...

	14-04-2003 05:58									#289
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quote: Originally posted by finbar BTW, Bearcat will be dancing in the street. Or around his sitting room anyway.

quote: USA 62 -d- Spain 13 And therefore the USA have virtually locked up a spot in the WRC. That's actually a very good effort by the Eagles. From memory, it's a better scoreline than the Wallabies were able to mount against the Spaniards on the NH tour before last.

It looks like we're actually starting to improve, if slowly and bit by bit. I don't know how well we'll do at the RWC but at least we're one step away from getting there.

	14-04-2003 06:43									#290
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I would rather compare myself with Robin (the slim one wearing a red and yellow pair of pyjamas in the original comic strip) rather than Superman...

Keep your dressing up fantasies to yourself, please!

quote: The question is: do you want a good guide to visit the most beautiful places of Toulouse?

*finbar checks his Travel Library for his copy of The 1001 Best Sights To See In SW France*

quote: I suppose the Australian players were from a food poisoned out of shape B team...

If only. That tour was even more crap than the most recent one.

	14-04-2003 07:02									#291
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat It looks like we're actually starting to improve, if slowly and bit by bit. I don't know how well we'll do at the RWC but at least we're one step away from getting there.

It's a home and away contest between you and Spain, which means there's another match to come, but Spain would have to win by a massive margin in the return match to overcome the points difference.

I just checked the RWC team pools. I think you and Spain are competing for the last available spot in the competition. It's a place reserved for "Repechage 1 winner" in Pool B. If that's the case, and you get past Spain, you're in the same pool as France, Scotland, Fiji and Japan.

Tamerlin will have my guys for garters if I suggest you have a chance against Les Grenouilles. You could scare Scotland if they have an off day; Fiji will probably be too quick and strong, although 7s rugby is their strength rather than the real game; and Japan were hammered by a team made up of local Sydney-based - rep and club - players on the weekend. The Japanese are incredibly speedy and incredibly inventive - making up for a lack of size - so they could be your chance for a win.

	14-04-2003 09:20									#292
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quote: Originally posted by finbar It's a home and away contest between you and Spain, which means there's another match to come, but Spain would have to win by a massive margin in the return match to overcome the points difference.

Yeah we have a match in Fort Lauderdale against them.

quote: Tamerlin will have my guys for garters if I suggest you have a chance against Les Grenouilles.

The who?

quote: You could scare Scotland if they have an off day; Fiji will probably be too quick and strong, although 7s rugby is their strength rather than the real game; and Japan were hammered by a team made up of local Sydney-based - rep and club - players on the weekend. The Japanese are incredibly speedy and incredibly inventive - making up for a lack of size - so they could be your chance for a win.

I think we could possibly take Scotland and Japan. Scotland had a horrible 6 Nations outing and we beat the Japanese 7s recently for a Bowl Championship, I want to say at Hong Kong. France will definantely beat the crap out of us anf Caucau and mates will probably tear gaping holes in our defense, so I'd say 2-2 at best.

	14-04-2003 09:30									#293
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat The who?

It's French for "The Frogs".

quote: I think we could possibly take Scotland and Japan. Scotland had a horrible 6 Nations outing and we beat the Japanese 7s recently for a Bowl Championship, I want to say at Hong Kong. France will definantely beat the crap out of us anf Caucau and mates will probably tear gaping holes in our defense, so I'd say 2-2 at best.

Japan, certainly. They're just so quick and unpredictable, that's the only problem. But good, strong ball-retention should beat them. Scotland's the interesting one. I'd be interested to hear Havak's opinion.

	14-04-2003 09:43									#294
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I must admit I'm not quite sure what all of the fuss is about but here it is ...
http://www.planetrugby.com/LATEST_N...ory_27173.shtml

It would seem that 4 matches in 14 days is a bit much for our Italian friends. While they may have a point, threatening to pull out altogether would seem to be a bit of an overreaction. Or it could be a bit of a bluff on JK's part...

	14-04-2003 10:19									#295
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It's a tough ask relative to some of the other teams' schedules. The threat to withdraw could be an attempt to force the IRB's hand. I suspect they won't withdraw but keep the matter up their manice as something to blame when they don't win the comp.

But I notice there's another reference to John O'Neill and the ARU dealing with the matter. This was tossed around in one of their earlier protests. It's the IRB rather than the ARU, I'd've thought, that has responsibility for these matters.

	14-04-2003 12:27									#296
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Sometimes you have to put your hands up and say you weren’t good enough. Sometimes you have to admit you were plain awful. Yesterday was the latter sadly.

Both sides were poor, but Munster were that little bit less poor. Worthy winners on the day.

It’s terrible news however as my tour party had plans to do the Toulouse game and that would have given me the chance to catch up with Tamerlin – and now Tigers have messed it up.

I can’t see Munster threatening you in France but O’Gara may be the key – his tactical kicking was spot on yesterday.

Worrying times at Tigers – not enough spirit yesterday from too many players. A summer clear out seems inevitable. Mr Healey has played his last game at Fly I have no doubt – he suffered a leg injury but then waived Vesty off when Richards replaced him. O’Gara immediately targeted him in the defensive line and strolled past him for the game breaking try. Lantern Jaw was not happy with him.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Healey shipped out – there’s no natural home for him in the side now. We don’t need him at scrummy (Tierney and Ellis look the real deal) and we have too many class wingers (and not enough centres where Aus cannot play!). Other players I can’t see staying are Lloyd, Garforth and West – the former spills ball in contact too much and the other two are late thirties – just that bit too old now.

I think Kafer’s days are over too – on the theory the backs have been shocking and the buck stops at the coach. He didn’t play yesterday having not shaken off the injury he is carrying so we once again had two wingers in the centre. Shouldn’t be so surprised we lost really. How is Dan Hebert doing with his injury? Tell him to get up here ASAP and bring Patty Howard back with him.

But I’m sure there will be more blood than that – the rebuilding must commence now.

Do you remember we signed Jo Naufahu from Canterbury in the early season? I just found out we loaned him to Glasgow four months ago – being loaned to a Scottish side is like the tombstone on a career up here.

	14-04-2003 15:44									#297
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Keep your dressing up fantasies to yourself, please!

I was not talking about my dressing habits but about my stature, Superman and Batman have something I don't have... big muscles.

quote: *finbar checks his Travel Library for his copy of The 1001 Best Sights To See In SW France*

Books will never tell you the names of the places "avé l'assent" (wiz' ze accent)... and there are things they don't know...

Repeat after me: "Allez Toulouse!"

quote: And therefore the USA have virtually locked up a spot in the WRC. That's actually a very good effort by the Eagles. From memory, it's a better scoreline than the Wallabies were able to mount against the Spaniards on the NH tour before last.

Following the weird logic of the the Zurich thing... the Eagles are better than the Aussies and stand a chance to win the World Cup...

	14-04-2003 16:05									#298
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Tamerlin - please beat Munster.

The number of Irishmen that have come out the woodwork here is getting my goat today.

	14-04-2003 19:33									#299
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Tamerlin - please beat Munster.

I will wear my red "ST" stamped shirt for the occasion, you can bet on it. Beating the Munster is a matter of honour. Though the Stade Toulousain players are sometimes lacking some motivation I think they won't this time as there is an old grudge to settle...

quote: The number of Irishmen that have come out the woodwork here is getting my goat today.

Believe me, whatever the number of Irishmen they will be outnumbered by at least 6 or 7 times more hot Toulousains in a Stadium that is called the "petit Wembley" and will sound like a cauldron...

"Aux armes..."

	14-04-2003 19:34									#300
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Sometimes you have to put your hands up and say you weren?t good enough. Sometimes you have to admit you were plain awful. Yesterday was the latter sadly.

Elephant Stamp for the honesty and eloquence.

quote: It?s terrible news however as my tour party had plans to do the Toulouse game and that would have given me the chance to catch up with Tamerlin ? and now Tigers have messed it up.

You could always pop over solo, meet up with La Grenouille and barrack for his mob against Munster.

quote: I wouldn?t be surprised to see Healey shipped out ? there?s no natural home for him in the side now.

Bags put the match to his pyre! .

quote: How is Dan Hebert doing with his injury? Tell him to get up here ASAP and bring Patty Howard back with him.

Dan is fit and well and back, as ever, barging at the defences for the Reds. There will need to be injuries to others for him to be seriously considered for the Wallabies again, I suspect. They're genuinely trying for a revamp. So he should be available to you. He will do well for you. He has class about him, even if a bit one-dimensional. What he does, he does wonderfully well. There's been no word about Pat Howard. He came off the Brumbie bench last week.

But surely you have oodles of young talent coming through your development system?