26-04-2003 05:15									#361
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GO, BEARCAT, GO!

	26-04-2003 05:22									#362
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quote: Originally posted by Havak It does look rather like they were relying on a single device yes ? and it shows how important good backups are. Imagine of the pearls of wisdom in the OT were lost forever.

The dread thought occurred to me. To the Pulitzer Prize judges too, I gather.

quote: I find franchise hopping very bizarre ? though it happens routinely in some sports. I do recall hearing something about the Swans whilst down there. If they are following the practice you describe it does rather sound like they will always be the bridesmaids at best.

The Swans aren't so much a franchise as a transplanted team. As the AFL drove the game further and further into business rather than sport mode, and as the costs duly increased, it was realised that Melbourne's population of (approx.) 2.5 million people couldn't support 12 teams as it once did. Tribalism - suburb -v- suburb - which was what Australian Rules was in Melbourne, can't survive when the costs escalate.

Thus South Melbourne was relocated to Sydney, and another very old, established Melbourne club called Fitzroy was transplanted to Brisbane. Of course only the names were transplanted. You can't transplant 80 years of tradition, history and culture. And even then the names that survived were only the nicknames rather than the real names because the real names were the suburbs from which the teams sprang. Even the original colours survive only in some sort of post-modern version.

The two relocated teams' approaches have been markedly different. The Bisbane outfit bit the bullet and started from scratch. They attracted supporters as they developed over the years. They've now won two premierships in a row, look like winning this year again, and have a fanatical Brisbane following which has grown with them. The Swans, as I said earlier, lack the courage and the brains to bite the bullet.

All in all, though, I find it terribly sad. I grew up in Melbourne on Australian Rules. The tribalism - suburb-v-suburb - was a wonderful, fascinating thing. The game was a game, not a business. Now that's all gone. And Australian Rules isn't unique - it has happened to a lot of games all over the world. Very, very sad.

quote: USAP are already a force ? although Leinster should be too much for them.

If Dan Herbert does end up at Perpignan, at least it will give Manny Edmonds someone to talk to in his native tongue. Though with Dan being a Queenslander and Manny a New South Welsman, they will struggle with each other's vowels. Or lack of same.

quote: It?s a shame ? Pat should not be settling for shining wood with his butt

It will be interesting to see whether they start him on the bench in the vital last two matches. They have to win against the Hurricanes and the Crusaders to make the finals.

quote: and if they are playing Giteau in front of him were I him I would leave anyway. Remember we only saw a few mins of that young man up here and he was not exactly impressive.

He was terrible on that occasion but understandably. He played for the Wallabies before he'd played S12 and his nerves got to him. I think it was silly for Jones to send him on at the time he did with the game in the position it was. And the kid came away feeling very embarrassed. But he was picked for that tour on potential and he's now playing to that potential. He's quick, can read the game in a fashion similar to Steve Larkham, he has beautiful hands and a terrific step. I'm positive he will feature in a Wallaby jersey in at least the lead-up matches.

quote: Best scrummy in the world when he fires on all four. The test for him, and indeed the Wallabies now, is that so many positions in the national side can no longer say that.

Yes, when he fires, and when the pack isn't going backwards. My biggest worry - amongst many - is that our front row is going to have to be chosen from the same old faces. The same old faces who have been found wanting at top level in the past. We just don't produce front rowers any more.

quote: Ooh is it time to think about another World XV? I have some suggestions ? the second row is totally English with Chris Jack on the bench. Scrummy is Gregan, Stand Off I think has to be Wilko? Flankers ? pick from Smith, Back, McCaw? Were Moody fit he is a shoe in for Blindside I suspect (with Betson having had a weak six nations) ? explosive talent. Number 8 the young man from France with the long confusing name (the lad who famously criticised all things English the week before the sides met ? nice motivational grist for the English boys in hind sight). Front row ? well for me it has to be a combination of Rosbiffs and Frogs. But the girlies I throw to the thread ? I suspect a mix of Kiwis, Aussies, Irish, French and a token Englishman. Anyone who leaves O?Driscoll out is making a mistake I would suggest. Similarly Robinson ? for all his (Flatley chasing) faults he is a game breaker.

Frankly, apart from probably George Gregan, I can't see any Australians making it at the moment. Most of them are playing either inconsistently or badly in S12. There are a couple of exceptions - Joe Roff has come back very powerfully, Chris Latham was having a terrific season till his injury.

Oh, and the word is that Eddie Jones is going to try to turn Nathan Sharp into a blindside flanker. Our two best flankers - Waugh and Smith - are opensides, Owen Finnegan's future is dubious, and there isn't another genuine blindside on the horizon. There was even talk of playing both Waugh and Smith as left and right rather than blindside and openside, but that would have left us undermanned in lineouts. Sharp has all the necessary attributes to be a top blindside. It's a matter of whether we can spare him out of the second row.

quote: Oh and clearly Healey on the Wing.

Oh well, it is - or was - Friday.

quote: Also - Victory to the Stade Toulousain!!!

Mmmm. I suspect you're right. I'm not that fond of Jim Williams.

	26-04-2003 05:24									#363
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin GO, BEARCAT, GO!

Ditto.

	26-04-2003 08:07									#364
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quote: Oh, and the word is that Eddie Jones is going to try to turn Nathan Sharp into a blindside flanker. Our two best flankers - Waugh and Smith - are opensides, Owen Finnegan's future is dubious, and there isn't another genuine blindside on the horizon.

What about Rocky Elsom? From what I've read he's done a pretty good job at the blindside in his debut season.

quote: It?s a shame ? Pat should not be settling for shining wood with his butt

Here in the US we call that "riding pine"

	26-04-2003 08:42									#365
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat What about Rocky Elsom? From what I've read he's done a pretty good job at the blindside in his debut season.

Yes, he's very promising for the Waratahs, and his name has been tossed around as an outside possibility for the Wallabies. Another one of Bob Dwyer's amazing discoveries. But this is, literally, his first season of rugby, so he's very short on experience, and there are some very tough, very experienced, very talented flankers around the world. He might get a run off the bench in one of the trial matches to see where he stands in the scheme of things.

quote: Here in the US we call that "riding pine"

It's really only called "bench warming" here.

	27-04-2003 04:44									#366
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Results of interest to the thread:

Gloucester 29 -d- Harlequins 11

Leicester 18 -d- Leeds Tykes 17

Presumably a bit too close for Havak's liking.

Toulouse 13 -d- Munster 12

Ditto for Tamerlin!

	27-04-2003 06:21									#367
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Toulouse 13 -d- Munster 12 Ditto for Tamerlin!

It was not a great game but it was a tense one with a lot of suspense.

The first half was largely dominated by the Munster Branch who occupied the Stade Toulousain's side thanks to the very good kicks of their fly half O'Gara. The players of Toulouse commited a lot of handling errors and were struggling in the scrums and mauls. Moreover the Stade Toulousain missed a 4 against 2 that should have lead to a try. The score at the end of the first half was 6-3 in favor of the Munster Branch and it could have been worse if O'Gara had not missed two other penalties.

Needless to say mister White sank the Stade Toulousain each time they tried to breathe.

The second half was another matter, the Stade Toulousain managed to reverse the pressure and to occupy the Irish side. The scrums and mauls progressively turned into the favor of the Toulousains while the Irish players were thoroughly defending their try line.

The Munster Branch then tried the Bordeaux Coup once again. After each scrum, maul or attack an Irish player stayed on the ground and healers entered the field to break the rythm. Jean-Baptiste Ellissalde (half-scrum) then replaced Yann Delaigue (fly-half), William Servat replaced Yannick Bru (hooker) while Frédéric Michalack shifted from scrum-half to fly-half position, from this moment the Munster Branch struggled to hold the repetitive attacks of the Toulousains. The first alert came from a refused try by Xavier Garbajosa (and rightly so). Time was passing and the Stade Toulousain was still provoking an impressive Irish defense. The decisive action came right before the end of the regular time with a try by Frédéric Michalack. The Transformation allowed the Stade Toulousain to lead 13-12 with 7 minutes extra time left.

A solid defense of the Toulousains held the Irish players (curiously enough, no Irish player was staying on the ground after a scrum or maul anymore) far from the French try line and O'Gara missed two drop goals. The first one was very, very close while the second one was a desperate kick that fell largely away from its target. :nerve-wracking:

Mr White finally took one of its few good decisions of the day and whistled the end of the game relieving Toulouse's crowd.

The crowd (both Irish and French) stayed a long time in the Stadium to acclaim their players and both the Irish and the French sportively acclaimed their opponent of the day. The Toulousains sang "Munster... Munster..." when the irish players went round the Stadium and the Irish crowd acclaimed the players of the Stade Toulousain when they did the same.

The atmosphere of the game was great and I would like to thank the Irish crowd for its beautiful songs. On Toulouse's side, the crowd was more boisterous while the drums rythmed the game and reached an incredible intensity as the Stade Toulousain was pushing the Munster Branch out of its last entranchments.

Frédéric Michalack was elected man of the match though I think Christian Labit should have earned the title...

It was certainly not one of the most spectacular games I have seen but it was indeed a great afternoon of Rugby...

	27-04-2003 06:31									#368
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A better afternoon for the Toulousains than for us. We never seemed to get a rhythym going and McMinnville pinned us in our half and managed to hold us there for most of the game. We never in the whole game got a good look at their in-goal or 22 and we never got good phases going. A dissapointing afternoon which saw us fall 8-0 to McMinnville, putting paid any hopes of going on to the PNRFU playoffs.

	27-04-2003 08:53									#369
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Needless to say mister White sank the Stade Toulousain each time they tried to breathe.

Tamerlin never misses an opportunity, does he? Imagine if they'd lost!

quote: The Munster Branch then tried the Bordeaux Coup once again.

More NH propaganda!

quote: Mr White finally took one of its few good decisions of the day and whistled the end of the game relieving Toulouse's crowd.

quote: It was certainly not one of the most spectacular games I have seen but it was indeed a great afternoon of Rugby...

Which only goes to prove what I've always thought - rugby is one of the few games where it doesn't have to be spectacular to be great.

	27-04-2003 08:55									#370
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat A better afternoon for the Toulousains than for us. We never seemed to get a rhythym going and McMinnville pinned us in our half and managed to hold us there for most of the game. We never in the whole game got a good look at their in-goal or 22 and we never got good phases going. A dissapointing afternoon which saw us fall 8-0 to McMinnville, putting paid any hopes of going on to the PNRFU playoffs.

Bummer!

Where did you play? Blindside?

	27-04-2003 09:37									#371
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Yeah.

	27-04-2003 15:19									#372
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Tamerlin never misses an opportunity, does he? Imagine if they'd lost!

"Never miss an opportunity" is my motto along with "never give an inch"...

About a loss, I have more than imagined it for almost 80 minutes yesterday until Frédéric Michalack scored its try.

quote: More NH propaganda!

It is a NH internal affair... :haughty:

quote: Which only goes to prove what I've always thought - rugby is one of the few games where it doesn't have to be spectacular to be great.

True... the problem is that those that can appreciate Rugby when it is not spectacular are comparatively few. The vast majority ot the public in front of the TV needs something spectacular to focus its attention on, and the sponsors are ready to alter the game in order to make it more spectacular and thus more profitable...

	27-04-2003 20:15									#373
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In actual fact Chris White was the best referee I've seen this weekend.

He kept the Toulouse scrum honest and whilst I can see that Tamerlin may not have liked that he was still absolutely right to do so. A strangely nervous performance from the French lads but they were eventually just that little but too strong. In fact without the awful execution they showed it should have been a much more try filled game - they dropped the ball more than Tigers do these days.

Ashley Rowden helmed the Tigers game and was awful - anything off the ball misses his attention. Fortunately Leeds constant cynical play didn't work and they lost the game.

I also caught the Blues-Sharks game and there was the worst referee this weekend - Peter Marshall I believe. I have to ask yet again do any S12 teams or SH refs have any understanding of any of the offside laws? No one on that pitch did.

Still Blues look a decent outfit and Spencer would make a good buy after the RWC - I'm sure he will be part of the mass exodus?

And as I write poor Nigel Williams is helming an awful game between Leinster and USAP - it's 11 all as I write this and anyones game with 12 mins left. Toulouse will murder either of these sides on this showing.

Catch you guys tomorrow.

	27-04-2003 22:33									#374
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Leinster 14 - Perpignan 21



May the 24th will be an H-Cup final with two french clubs ( )... in Dublin.

Tell us about a bad referee, Mr Williams has beaten them all...

quote: In actual fact Chris White was the best referee I've seen this weekend.

You must have seen some truly appalling ones this week-end...

	28-04-2003 08:30									#375
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat Yeah.

Then, Bearcat, it's your duty to start a whispering campaign to get the coach sacked. He's clearly playing you out of position and the team's loss is all his fault. Don't forget - it's a fine rugby tradition for players to undermine their coaches. We expect you to uphold the tradition.

	28-04-2003 08:37									#376
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Ashley Rowden helmed the Tigers game and was awful - anything off the ball misses his attention. Fortunately Leeds constant cynical play didn't work and they lost the game.

Gee, talk about a passing reference to a Tigers' win, a rare event these days.

quote: I also caught the Blues-Sharks game and there was the worst referee this weekend - Peter Marshall I believe.

Very strange, very erratic referee. Produces some bizarre performances - overlooking the blindingly obvious, picking up the obscure.

quote: Still Blues look a decent outfit and Spencer would make a good buy after the RWC - I'm sure he will be part of the mass exodus?

They're not playing as well as they were earlier in the season but obviously playing well enough. I fear they're too dependent upon Carlos. It's a much more even S12 contest this season - amongst the top four teams anyway - without the standouts that the Crusaders were last year. I watched some of the Crusaders -v- Bulls match won by the Bulls. The Crusaders are far from what they were. I still think the Hurricanes, when they put it together, can beat them all.

quote: Catch you guys tomorrow.

Yes indeed! But welcome to the world of weekend posting anyway! Mrs Havak pottering in the garden? Far enough away for her not to hear the modem dialling up?

	28-04-2003 08:41									#377
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin May the 24th will be an H-Cup final with two french clubs ( )... in Dublin.

How bizarre! Why? Is the venue for the final rotated? Must be.

	28-04-2003 09:45									#378
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Then, Bearcat, it's your duty to start a whispering campaign to get the coach sacked. He's clearly playing you out of position and the team's loss is all his fault. Don't forget - it's a fine rugby tradition for players to undermine their coaches. We expect you to uphold the tradition.

I didn't even start on Saturday, but I don't think it was the coach's fault. Something just didn't click and we didn't get started off like we should have. The last time we played them it was like the Blues and Bulls, we put it to them and this time it was like an agonizing Reds-Waratahs match.

On a much happier note, the Eagles beat Spain 58-13 today to clinch a berth in the RWC.

	28-04-2003 10:24									#379
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quote: Originally posted by Bearcat this time it was like an agonizing Reds-Waratahs match.

Oh, right, I forgot you're in the NH!

quote: On a much happier note, the Eagles beat Spain 58-13 today to clinch a berth in the RWC.

I think that's the last spot taken. Let the fun now begin!

	28-04-2003 12:51									#380
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Perpignan fully deserved it. In the last 10 mins they raised their game enough to get the job done. Manuel Edmonds marshalled the game superbly (much as I hate to praise an Aussie). Leinster seemed to have bought the hype and had their minds on the next game at Landsdowne road – one they now will not take part in. At least Munster gave it a good go – Leinster capitulated.

There are now plenty of tickets available for the final if anyone wants to go. Tamerlin will be going of course?

I don’t know who to support though – I’ll have to think on it.

It was quite funny to see the Gallic temperament though – as the whistle goes in Toulouse the French coach sinks to his knees and cries with arms raised in supplication – just like a pansy s***** player in fact – especially in the fact it took him five minutes to get back up.

quote: You must have seen some truly appalling ones this week-end...

I did believe me – Williams looked good alongside the moustache laden Aussie. I would have thought Williams might have met your approval – he did after all let USAP get away with murder around the Leinster scrum.

quote: Gee, talk about a passing reference to a Tigers' win, a rare event these days.

We have so far won 14 out of 16 games this year at home with one to come. I shall not comment on the away stats.

quote: Very strange, very erratic referee. Produces some bizarre performances - overlooking the blindingly obvious, picking up the obscure.

That’s exactly the impression he gave me. By the way didn’t Sharks make a good fist of it?

quote: I still think the Hurricanes, when they put it together, can beat them all.

It’s shaping up to be all Kiwi in the elimination phase isn’t it?

quote: Far enough away for her not to hear the modem dialling up?

My sister and family descended so I had a sudden need to ‘check my work e-mail’.

I have noted I missed a fair few posts between Friday and dropping by yesterday – I will read back over them later today if I can.

quote: How bizarre! Why? Is the venue for the final rotated? Must be.

Rotated yes - and it’s always been decided before the semi’s. That’s why Tigers ended up playing Stade Francais right next to their home ground in the old national stadium (Parc de Princes Tamerlin?). It was England in 2000, France in 2001, Wales in 2002 and Ireland in 2003. Must be Murrayfield next year.

	28-04-2003 14:45									#381
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Perpignan fully deserved it. In the last 10 mins they raised their game enough to get the job done. Manuel Edmonds marshalled the game superbly (much as I hate to praise an Aussie). Leinster seemed to have bought the hype and had their minds on the next game at Landsdowne road – one they now will not take part in. At least Munster gave it a good go – Leinster capitulated.

As you said it Manuel Edmonds have helmed the game adequately though IMO this victory is a collective one. The Catalans forwards have kept the Irish forwards at bay and have tired them so that they were out of shape at the end of the game.

Cermeno has constantly provoked the Irish defense... the weak spot of the USAP is IMO the Half-Scrum which was too slow, this weakness was fortunately balanced by Manu Edmonds...

quote: There are now plenty of tickets available for the final if anyone wants to go. Tamerlin will be going of course?

I would have liked but my financial situation does not allow me to.

quote: I don’t know who to support though – I’ll have to think on it.

I don't have this kind of dilema...

quote: It was quite funny to see the Gallic temperament though – as the whistle goes in Toulouse the French coach sinks to his knees and cries with arms raised in supplication – just like a pansy s***** player in fact – especially in the fact it took him five minutes to get back up.

I think it was a kind of nervous breakdown as the suspense was almost unbearable. Contrary to the S***** girlies I think Guy Novès started crying like a baby because he was really happy for the Stade Toulousain not because of a pay check he will receive. Don't forget the coaches are all former players of the Stade Toulousain...

quote: I did believe me – Williams looked good alongside the moustache laden Aussie. I would have thought Williams might have met your approval – he did after all let USAP get away with murder around the Leinster scrum.

The number of Irish fools Mr Williams has not whistled is impressive and the Catalans' scrum has been far more sanctionned than it deserved to... I guess Mr Williams has made his best to send an Irish team in final but that the Perpignanais finally proved too strong for the Leinster.

quote: We have so far won 14 out of 16 games this year at home with one to come. I shall not comment on the away stats.

You have lost two games at home, this is simply not tolerated here in Toulouse...

quote: That’s why Tigers ended up playing Stade Francais right next to their home ground in the old national stadium (Parc de Princes Tamerlin?). It was England in 2000, France in 2001, Wales in 2002 and Ireland in 2003. Must be Murrayfield next year.

Yes it is our good old Parc des Princes... sniff!

	28-04-2003 17:48									#382
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Well in fairness the Catalan forwards prevented the Irish pack asserting itself by playing a spoiling game but it was well done.

I also see that ERC Ltd has refused French requests to move the final to France. Quite right too – they never changed the venue for Tigers when we played in Paris.

quote: Don't forget the coaches are all former players of the Stade Toulousain...

A worthy tradition of your club. Grown men should only cry when the Pression runs out though.

quote: guess Mr Williams has made his best to send an Irish team in final but that the Perpignanais finally proved too strong for the Leinster.

Mr Williams is Welsh and should not be expected to be bias in an Ireland-France game really.

quote: You have lost two games at home, this is simply not tolerated here in Toulouse...

It’s barely tolerated here.

The season ticket renewals have come out – only a 15% rise if I renew before 1st June.

quote: Yes it is our good old Parc des Princes... sniff!

I always miss one of those finishing S’s out.
And for Finbar – as expected the club confirmed today that Kafer will leave after the Gloucester game. He’s been linked with Saracens and Bath but he may also head straight home. Now news yet on Kronfeld but there are also rumours Tournaire wants to head back to France. I’d like to keep both really but I expect we will lose both.

	28-04-2003 17:55									#383
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Manuel Edmonds marshalled the game superbly (much as I hate to praise an Aussie).

I've spoken about him before. Pity he wasn't more consistent. He could play blinders for the Waratahs, then disappear for weeks. Good luck to the lad, I'm pleased for him.

quote: We have so far won 14 out of 16 games this year at home with one to come. I shall not comment on the away stats.

Tamerlin bombed you on that one better than I ever could! Next time I need inspiration, I must switch to my second language.

quote: It?s shaping up to be all Kiwi in the elimination phase isn?t it?

In all likelihood. The Brumbies and the Waratahs can, theoretically, make it. The current top four deserve to stay there, IMHO.

quote: My sister and family descended so I had a sudden need to ?check my work e-mail?.

Say no more, say no more.

	28-04-2003 17:57									#384
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I would have liked but my financial situation does not allow me to.

Should we pass around le chapeau for him?

quote: You have lost two games at home, this is simply not tolerated here in Toulouse...

	28-04-2003 18:06									#385
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quote: Originally posted by Havak The season ticket renewals have come out ? only a 15% rise if I renew before 1st June.

Out of interest, how much is the sub?

quote: And for Finbar ? as expected the club confirmed today that Kafer will leave after the Gloucester game. He?s been linked with Saracens and Bath but he may also head straight home.

Interesting to see what he does. Speaking of Bath, I nearly wet myself on the weekend when I read "Knuckles" Connolly's (former Reds and - from memory - Biarritz? coach) column in the Sunday paper. He's usually quite sensible, but, when discussing possible replacements for Bob with the Waratahs, he had this to say:

"Another outstanding candidate is former Wallaby Michael Foley. He has been in charge of a number of English internationals at Bath, including Danny Grewcock and Mike Catt, and has reshaped the club."

M-hm. Pity about Foley's results, "Knuckles".

	28-04-2003 19:04									#386
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It looks like he has picked a team that is going places – Herbert is rumoured to be heading there and they have signed our Kiwi Prop Freshwater. Edmonds may have made a smart move indeed.

quote: Next time I need inspiration, I must switch to my second language.

Ah but would that be Italian as per the flag or Irish as per the tag?

quote: The current top four deserve to stay there, IMHO.

I’ve caught very few games so I’ll take your word for it (shocking though that may be).

quote: Should we pass around le chapeau for him?

We should. I think he has to go. I wouldn’t have missed any of the Tigers finals for the world – even the one we lost to Brive.

quote: Out of interest, how much is the sub?

To stand on the Crumbie a la Havak will be £170 for the season. Okay it’s not a kings ransom (they save those for the seats) but it is creeping up year on year. It will only cost me £159 if I renew early (and that’s £20 more than my early renewal price last year). Yes I am rather tight in some ways.

quote: M-hm. Pity about Foley's results, "Knuckles".

Thanks for that it has made my afternoon! He has reshaped them all right – from relegation candidates to relegation favourites!

	28-04-2003 19:46									#387
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Well in fairness the Catalan forwards prevented the Irish pack asserting itself by playing a spoiling game but it was well done.

quote: I also see that ERC Ltd has refused French requests to move the final to France. Quite right too – they never changed the venue for Tigers when we played in Paris.

I find it less worrying than a final played in Dublin against an Irish team as the later one would have played at home. That the request has been refused is logical as there is no reason to change the location of a final when the said location is planned since the beginning of the season. But IMO the main reason why the officials don't approve the french request must be found in the "Evin's Law". This french law prevents any advertisement linked to alcool or tobacco. During the last final of the H-Cup in France, the name Heineken was banned from the field and only the H was visible.

quote: Mr Williams is Welsh and should not be expected to be bias in an Ireland-France game really.

Even the Midi Olympique, which is almost never speaking about the referees, has questionned the overall performance of Mr Williams and a lack of balance...

quote: It’s barely tolerated here.

You should not, the home ground must be thought as an impregnable fortress where the opponent must not believe he has the least of a chance to win. Though the visitors are allowed to score some points, and even a try or two, they should understand that scoring more points than the receiving team is very rude and that it would be severly dealt with.

quote: Season ticket renewals have come out – only a 15% rise if I renew before 1st June.

This reminds me of income taxes, they never decrease...

quote: I always miss one of those finishing S’s out.

French is a tricky language which must be a nightmare to learn though when I read the mails and notes written by my compatriots I sometimes wonder if they have learnt it at all themselves.

Do you know where Franck Tournaire could play next year? Christian Califano is announced at Castres.

The Stade Toulousain is not recruiting this year as his objective is to keep all the current players and consolidate the current group. I guess the second objective is to teach Cédric Desbrosses how to run and catch/handle a ball while running at the same time.

	29-04-2003 05:57									#388
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Ah but would that be Italian as per the flag or Irish as per the tag?

Well, my Irish is limited to "Begorrah, Begorrah", "Top o' the mornin'", and "Would that be a piece of Waterford in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?", which is three times as much Italian as I can speak, so it looks like Irish.

quote: I?ve caught very few games so I?ll take your word for it (shocking though that may be).

The fundamental difference this season has been the consistency of those top four teams, without, as I said, a stand-out team.

quote: To stand on the Crumbie a la Havak will be £170 for the season. Okay it?s not a kings ransom (they save those for the seats) but it is creeping up year on year.

That's about $440 for standing room. Does it only cover League matches? If so, it sounds a bit steep.

quote: Thanks for that it has made my afternoon! He has reshaped them all right ? from relegation candidates to relegation favourites!

I can't imagine why "Knuckles" put his name forward. He would know Bath's performances. Must be a mate. Silly, because he loses credibility.

	29-04-2003 06:02									#389
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I find it less worrying than a final played in Dublin against an Irish team as the later one would have played at home.

I suppose that's why they have the rotation system - the odds of one of the finalists ending up with a home match would be long. The S12 comp, ladder-based rather than knock-out, rewards the higher-placed of the two finalists with the home match.

quote: French is a tricky language which must be a nightmare to learn though when I read the mails and notes written by my compatriots I sometimes wonder if they have learnt it at all themselves.

I'm often saying the same about 99% of those for whom English is a first language! BTW, can you send me that French keyboard layout?

	29-04-2003 08:28									#390
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

quote: Originally posted by finbar BTW, can you send me that French keyboard layout?

Your desires are my orders...