24-05-2003 01:14									#181
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quote: Originally posted by finbar And your doing, too, I'll bet!

No, this is a popular way of distorting the saying since a few years here...

	24-05-2003 02:13									#182
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One thing to say before tonight........

















GO THE BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

	24-05-2003 03:01									#183
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As S12 teams are concerned I am not particularly in favor of a given team... I only hope this will be a good game of Rugby.

	24-05-2003 07:28									#184
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Then they will find a way to make him an All Black somehow. IRB eligibility conditions be damned.

Naturally, they already tried.



And failed!

quote: Fair point. Though with the Blues back line it’s going to head back at pace if he misses touch?

At the speed of light!

quote: The BBC used an interesting still from the Blues-ACT game – Howlett steaming on with a very unhappy Pat Howard in pursuit. Talk about an unfair contest.

Unfair? An understatement. Has to rank for unfairness with your water-buffalo-of a-full-back's pursuit of Elton Flatley at Twickers.

quote: Hope the winners come up to take on Glaws before the next S12 season. Glaws will be a spent force by then and I’d love to see them cut apart the arrogant nonks.

Havak supports SH rugby!

quote: Some successes for Aussie rugby this week – Latham is staying after reds threw cash at him to stop him going to Ireland.

And Munster are less than pleased. Latham had signed a letter of intent. Still, he's a country boy - the backblocks of New South Wales - and I really couldn't see him coping with life up there.

quote: Gray is staying with NSW to help his unfinished goal of winning the S-12 (no laughing there Finbar!).

He was never going anywhere else. Suffers a perpetual case of tunnel vision, our Nathan. Reflected in his rugby.

quote: Oh and Williams is heading back from Quins. It seems the death of Nick Duncombe has had a profound effect on him and made him very homesick for pals and family – he’s going back to Reds I think.

They will welcome him back.

quote: On the other side the rumours are flying about that Gregans agent has contacted several English clubs…

An annual rumor. Last I heard, Steve Larkham had decided to stay here after the WRC. Haven't heard anything about George. He's a proud little bugger. I wonder, if we bomb out of the WRC, whether he would want to leave it at that.

quote: It’s another public holiday weekend here and because I’m extra specially in need of a break I’m not back in until Wednesday. Fortunately Tigers are not playing this weekend so they can’t lose.

Gee, talk about a great quinella.

quote: Good luck to both sides in the Euro final – hope it goes your way Tamerlin.

Mmmm. I still haven't decided. I might have to stay neutral on this one.

quote: Go Blues!

Yes, I think I have to agree. They've played the most exciting rugby all season. They deserve to win.

	24-05-2003 07:31									#185
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin No, this is a popular way of distorting the saying since a few years here...

You modest petite grenouille, you.

	24-05-2003 14:26									#186
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Blues 21 -d- Crusaders 17

A classic final. Pressure everywhere. The Blues' bits of brilliance won the day. Though I'm buggered if I know why Carlos put up so many bombs early in the match. With the best backline with the best hands in the comp, why so many bombs? All in all, a fair result.

	24-05-2003 15:04									#187
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Blues almost had two tries from those bombs. Carlos Spencer brilliance, if you ask me

	24-05-2003 18:03									#188
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There could have been a couple of opportunities, but I think he overdid them. They looked much more treatening when they spread the ball. Interesting that they chose the bomb tactic in the final having hardly done it all season.

	24-05-2003 20:53									#189
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I will leave to Tamerlin the task of telling everyone who is Champion of Europe.
Let's just say the wind was quite important, as one side scored 19 points with the wind in the first half, and the other scored 17 in the second half while a single penalty was scored by the winners in the second half. Only two tries, but both quite nice.
A pleasant match, as it was decided only by the last penalty, which gave the margin of advance the winners needed.

	25-05-2003 00:15									#190
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Stade Toulousain 22 - Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan 17





Thanks LDiCesare...

Last edited by Tamerlin on 25-05-2003 at 00:25

	25-05-2003 04:54									#191
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I was quite impressed by Jauzion in this match, and by the performance of Toulouse in the lineouts. Manny Edmonds' kick for the USAP try was a very nice feat.

	25-05-2003 05:39									#192
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I must admit I am a bit disappointed by this final, though the Toulousains were impressive in the first half (but the Catalans were seemingly "out of their shoes"), they proved to be unable to do anything else than defending in the second half. Of course, the Catalans raised their play level in the second half but I found my dear old Stade Toulousain clumsy when it tried to attack... and I don't like to see the Stade like this...

The game was entertaining thanks to the suspense and the Catalans' come back... but the quality of the game was rather disppointing to the exception of the Toulousains' defense and lineouts, which were impressive, and some of the attacks of the Perpignanais in the second half.

Manuel Edmond's kick is indeed very intelligent and beautifully executed as the try that is scored...

BTW, I hope you have seen the TV broadcasting about the Boniface brothers just before the game... very moving and interesting... tales from another time...

Last edited by Tamerlin on 25-05-2003 at 05:46

	25-05-2003 06:38									#193
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Stade Toulousain 22 - Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan 17

I couldn't agree more! OTOH, I couldn't have lost either way!



I actually listened to some of the match on the radio. It was broadcast on the BBC World Service. Unfortunately, the Irish commentators were either too lazy or too stupid to have learned the French players' names. The only player they really identified was Manny Edmonds. The rest of the time, they just called either Toulouse or Perpignan with the ball, meaning it was impossible to know who was doing what to whom and where on the field it was happening!

	25-05-2003 13:05									#194
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quote: BTW, I hope you have seen the TV broadcasting about the Boniface brothers just before the game... very moving and interesting... tales from another time...

Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of it. I was too busy playing Galciv.
finbar, those BBC commentators were clearly not doing their job properly. They should also have known Murphy. There were two Irish on the field, after all (one of them being canadian or something, though, I didn't get all the explanations).

	25-05-2003 19:13									#195
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Blues 21 -d- Crusaders 17 A classic final. Pressure everywhere. The Blues' bits of brilliance won the day. Though I'm buggered if I know why Carlos put up so many bombs early in the match. With the best backline with the best hands in the comp, why so many bombs? All in all, a fair result.

Bit of a shocker when Carlos dropped that pass which the Crusaders scooped up for a try just before half time eh? Also Havak will be happy to hear that Mehrtens had terrible kicking game and is now in danger of being left out of the ABs.

	26-05-2003 05:14									#196
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Bit of a shocker when Carlos dropped that pass which the Crusaders scooped up for a try just before half time eh?

Yes, but it happens to the best of them. Steve Larkham has done exactly the same thing in just about exactly the same spot. From memory, though, it didn't cost a try, but it was only good fortune. The look on poor Carlos' face was priceless, though.

You would also have to think that Mehrtens will be looking to a future in a different hemisphere next season. Wouldn't it be bloody fantastic if he turned up at Tigers?

*Havak hires Bono to pen his change of tune*



Did you also notice the nice little bit of good-humoured byplay between Carlos and Mehrtens? When Mehrtens was trapped behind the line with no space or time to kick? He took the tackle from Carlos but managed to pass to someone else who kicked into touch? It was very brave, very quick thinking by Mehrtens. He and Carlos had a giggle about it after the ball had gone.

quote: Also Havak will be happy to hear that Mehrtens had terrible kicking game and is now in danger of being left out of the ABs.

Mehtrens has had so little game time in the second half of the season - multiple injuries, then starting off the bench for the last couple of matches - that he was always going to struggle to hold his spot in the face of Spencer's form. The question is whether he will be picked as back-up. There was a suggestion in this morning's media that he wouldn't, that Mitchell will look elsewhere. The interesting question is who will be picked as scrummy.

The Wallaby squad for the mid-season tests will be announced today. Given the backline unavailable due to injury - Larkham, Herbert, Mortlock, Latham, Tune, Rogers - new faces are inevitable.

	26-05-2003 05:20									#197
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare finbar, those BBC commentators were clearly not doing their job properly. They should also have known Murphy. There were two Irish on the field, after all (one of them being canadian or something, though, I didn't get all the explanations).

You're right, they weren't. It was a very lacklustre broadcast in many ways.

	26-05-2003 05:23									#198
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Manuel Edmond's kick is indeed very intelligent and beautifully executed as the try that is scored...

Very talented player capable of outstanding rugby. His trouble here was that he couldn't do it often enough. No one could work out why.

quote: BTW, I hope you have seen the TV broadcasting about the Boniface brothers just before the game... very moving and interesting... tales from another time...

That reminds me. They are bound to repeat the outstanding History Of Rugby TV series at some stage leading up to the WRC. I'll tape the episode dealing with French rugby and send it to you.

	26-05-2003 05:26									#199
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quote: Originally posted by finbar You would also have to think that Mehrtens will be looking to a future in a different hemisphere next season. Wouldn't it be bloody fantastic if he turned up at Tigers?

I we are about to see him more often on TV in Europe I hope he will have shaved his side whiskers...

	26-05-2003 05:30									#200
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Very talented player capable of outstanding rugby. His trouble here was that he couldn't do it often enough. No one could work out why.

He is credited for an excellent season here and has been regularly (almost each week) praised by the Midi Olympique.

quote: That reminds me. They are bound to repeat the outstanding History Of Rugby TV series at some stage leading up to the WRC. I'll tape the episode dealing with French rugby and send it to you.

Thanks Finbar, I am already waiting for it...

	26-05-2003 07:15									#201
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin If we are about to see him more often on TV in Europe I hope he will have shaved his side whiskers...

He looks like something out of the late 1960s! Not that you'd remember the late 1960s.

Oh, and I fixed your typo for you.

	26-05-2003 07:17									#202
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin He is credited for an excellent season here and has been regularly (almost each week) praised by the Midi Olympique.

Yes. I only saw one Perpignan HC match replayed here. He was up to all his usual tricks - passing behind his back, and so on. I think I remarked at the time that he seemed to be a couple of thoughts ahead of his teammates. Obviously they caught up to him to at least some extent.

quote: Thanks Finbar, I am already waiting for it...

They're bound to replay the series. I'll just have to keep an eye out for it.

	26-05-2003 12:27									#203
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Interesting AB squad picked. No Cullen and Mehrtens, but that's no surprise. Taine Randell's omission is a surprise to me. I thought he had a fine S12 season. Scott Robertson missing out is no real surprise, though.

Picking Blues halfback Steve Devine was no huge surprise, but I'm constantly puzzled by Justin Marshall's selection in front of Byron Kelleher.

The new lads - Daniel Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko and Mils Muliaina can all play a bit. A strong squad.

	26-05-2003 12:32									#204
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Oh, and Havak will be glad that Wasps rolled Bath 48-30 in the final of the Biro Cup.

	26-05-2003 13:52									#205
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No Cullen

W00t?

Where's Taine Randell? Why is Paul Steinmetz, the best defensive 2nd 5/8 in the country, not in the side AGAIN???

sigh

	26-05-2003 17:50									#206
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quote: Originally posted by Frozzy No Cullen

He's had an average season. I like his nickname, too. "Bottle".

quote: Where's Taine Randell? Why is Paul Steinmetz, the best defensive 2nd 5/8 in the country, not in the side AGAIN???

Yes, I wonder why Randell's missing. There's a plethora of good centres, I suppose that's why Steinmetz missed out.

	26-05-2003 18:01									#207
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The Wallaby squad for the Tests has been announced. Of the 3 new caps - Morgan Turinui, Waratahs centre; Lote Tuqiri, Waratahs winger; and Scott Fava, Brumbies #8 - only Fava is really a surprise. He's a very athletic #8, obviously rewarded for busy year with the Brumbies. Turinui, a former schoolboy rep player, has made a big impression in his first S12 season.

The lock selections are interesting - Giffen, Vickerman and Sharpe. A certain Brumbie lock is missing.

And the blindside flanker position is even more interesting. With only 3 locks picked, blindside would seem to be between David Lyons (if Fava starts at #8) and one of Smith or Waugh.

The unavailable list is terrifying: Burke, Mortlock, Giteau, Rogers, Tune, Finegan, Herbert, Larkham, and Walker. That's just about an entire backline.

Last edited by finbar on 26-05-2003 at 18:08

	26-05-2003 22:13									#208
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Yes, but it happens to the best of them. Steve Larkham has done exactly the same thing in just about exactly the same spot. From memory, though, it didn't cost a try, but it was only good fortune. The look on poor Carlos' face was priceless, though. You would also have to think that Mehrtens will be looking to a future in a different hemisphere next season. Wouldn't it be bloody fantastic if he turned up at Tigers? *Havak hires Bono to pen his change of tune*

That would create quite a conundrum for our bitter-swilling friend methinks.

quote: Did you also notice the nice little bit of good-humoured byplay between Carlos and Mehrtens? When Mehrtens was trapped behind the line with no space or time to kick? He took the tackle from Carlos but managed to pass to someone else who kicked into touch? It was very brave, very quick thinking by Mehrtens. He and Carlos had a giggle about it after the ball had gone.

Yeah, I noticed that. Great work under pressure from Mehrtens. It was one of those times in the game when everyone involuntarily oohs and aahs.

quote: Mehtrens has had so little game time in the second half of the season - multiple injuries, then starting off the bench for the last couple of matches - that he was always going to struggle to hold his spot in the face of Spencer's form. The question is whether he will be picked as back-up. There was a suggestion in this morning's media that he wouldn't, that Mitchell will look elsewhere. The interesting question is who will be picked as scrummy.

Yeah, there are a lot of good choices out there.

quote: The Wallaby squad for the mid-season tests will be announced today. Given the backline unavailable due to injury - Larkham, Herbert, Mortlock, Latham, Tune, Rogers - new faces are inevitable.

Perhaps a few new faces will be a good thing for the Wallabies. The old guard might be shown up by some new talent, you never know...

	26-05-2003 22:24									#209
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Picking Blues halfback Steve Devine was no huge surprise, but I'm constantly puzzled by Justin Marshall's selection in front of Byron Kelleher.

I usually agree with you on this one, but to be honest Byron didn't impress me so much in the game I managed to see him in (Highlanders v Blues in round 7). The game went the Highlanders' way, but Kelleher just didn't seem as quick as he usually is. Perhaps they've kept him on the bench too long.

quote: The new lads - Daniel Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko and Mils Muliaina can all play a bit. A strong squad.

I was really impressed with Rokocoko's overall game this season. There's a lot more to him than blinding speed, he's also good when it comes to making the right decision under pressure. An intelligent player.

	27-05-2003 01:54									#210
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quote: Originally posted by finbar He looks like something out of the late 1960s! Not that you'd remember the late 1960s.

He indeed looks like an actor of the 1960's lost in a Rugby game, I must admit the stunt man replacing him in the action scenes is rather good.

quote: Oh, and I fixed your typo for you.

You are too kind Finbar, your goodness will be your ruin...