12-10-2003 13:29									#421
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quote: True. But it's usually the spectacular solo efforts that win the gong.

Yes but Tamerlin is right.
For instance, the Welsh just scored a try which is IMO a thousand times more beautiful than the Fijians'. At least a dozen passes, including a pass on one foot from a prop, rucks, relays... wonderful.

	12-10-2003 14:26									#422
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Tapdanced your way out of that one, didn't you!

Yep!

quote: She asked me if you were as cute as some of Les Grenouilles. I said it was highly unlikely! Even with those blonde tips in your hair!

I can't say I have the same size as the French players, I would qualify as more slender...

And I don't have blonde tips in my hairs...

quote: Listen, Mister Tamerlin, I only use the term Mister for people I respect! With those blonde tips, at his age, Labit looks like one of those guys who hangs around pedestrian crossings outside girls' schools waiting for a strong gust of wind!

You would call him mister if you had seen him playing with the Stade Toulousain, believe me!

quote: Absolutely right. They went out there with a method. There was some scintillating handling. That impeccably bred grenouille, M'sieur Marais, made a wonderful comeback.

Though this is very encouraging I think it is still too early to speak about a comeback, we all know the French players are able to make an excellent game and then play like donkeys the next one... wait and see!

quote: Yes, this is the problem in these pool matches - putting performances against lesser teams into perspective. It's so hard to know what it all really means. Of the matches thus far, I thought the French the most impressive. They never really lost concentration. The ABs did. So did the Wallabies, on top of their appalling handling. I watched quite a bit of the Springboks -v- Uruguay last night, and even though the Boks racked up a lot of points, they did it the hard way.

The question is: will it last?

quote: What's his background? Irish, but seemingly comfortable speaking French?

As far as I remember he is Irish but his father was a man of taste as his mother was French.

quote: Is he the #14? He made a big mistake early, though credit has to be given to the Fijian chasers who arrived very quickly to put pressure on him. Other than that, I was impressed.

No, the number 15 is Nicolas Brusque, the number 14 is Aurélien Rougerie, the later one can be credited of a good game in spite of the fumbled kick that lead to the first Fidjian try.

	12-10-2003 14:27									#423
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Fumbled post.

	12-10-2003 14:52									#424
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Wales 41 - 10 Canada

Good welsh performance, but mostly a poor canadian performance. The Welsh won by a lot, but should be careful in the next matches because they were penalised a lot.
Wales scored some very beautiful tries, thanks to their center Harris in particular. If their opponent can stifle this man, however, the backline is not very imaginative. Their second center always runs towards the touchline, and the winger has to come back inside. The fly half has been countered or had difficulty kicking many times.
Canada started well, but they really lack in terms of backs. They always kicked, and to no avail. The forwards showed a few good mauls. It should make for a nice opposition of styles against Tonga (forwards/backs).

	12-10-2003 17:25									#425
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Scotland 32 - 11 Japan
A good game from the Japanese. A poor Scot performance. The final score is generous for Scotland.
Japan has good attacking backs, but their physique wasn't up to the task. Scots struggled a lot, losing several balls and committing many mistakes around rucks.
If they don't play better than this, Scotland will be lucky to get out of the pool, particularly against the Fijians. The only thing they seemed to be able to do was to bump into their direct opponent. Against Japan, they would gain 3 meters on the impact, but against Fijians or French, they'd better find another solution.

	12-10-2003 18:19									#426
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I agree with you and your two posts, the scottish have not played well against surprising and pleasant Japanese. I found the Canada - Wales game rather poor with far too many useless kicks.

	12-10-2003 18:41									#427
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I thought Wales better than Scotland, but they - Ireland - look very limited. They will still struggle against better opposition. Scotland were very ordinary, playing with no imagination. Although their #8 looks like he has some ability. Gee, the Japanese played well. They tackle like buzzsaws. It's a pity they're a bit limited by their size.

	12-10-2003 18:46									#428
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare Yes but Tamerlin is right.

	12-10-2003 20:55									#429
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Well. I just saw the England game and to be honest I wasn’t that impressed.

The forwards didn’t look special at all. Fatso Thompson couldn’t hold onto the ball and the pack struggled to roll Georgia back. The scrum was good, sure, but it’s Georgia for farks sakes. There was a failure to create space out wide, and the backs only started to fire toward the end. Coen was good, but Robinson struggled to break the line, in fact no tries at all from the backline in the first half. Lewsey was alright I suppose.

Sure there were a lot of tries in the end, but it’s Georgia for farks sakes, England should’ve won by well over 100. The tries they did get looked pretty ordinary to me, and mostly came in the second half as Georgia slowly ran out of steam.

I suppose to be fair you could say that the forwards made some intelligent runs round the fringes rather than clogging up the mid-field. Vickery wasn't bad while he was on; nothing massively impressive from anyone else though.

I think they’ll definitely have to fire up if they want to beat France, assuming France carry on playing like they did yesterday.

	12-10-2003 21:03									#430
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Andydog, Andydog... we all know this kind of stats does not mean anything.

were those kind of stats as meaningless as these kind of stats?

quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin remember you faced Italia, a team that has only won two 6 nations tournmanent games at home against Wales and Scotland

	12-10-2003 21:13									#431
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It doesn’t look good for Umaga. Robbie Deans doesn’t seem to hold much hope, and a ruptured cruciate ligament is the last thing you want. Charlie Hodgson (England's second best fly-half) injured his cruciate ligaments by falling awkwardly in the 6N game against Italy in March this year, and he hasn't kicked a ball in anger since. It takes at least six months to get yourself back and often a full recovery isn't made – usually you lose pace and power.

Umaga may have played his last test for NZ. If that's the case it is a really sad way to go out for a great warrior, I really feel for him. Fingers crossed the diagnosis is less serious than first appears.

	13-10-2003 05:01									#432
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This morning, for whatever reason, the AB camp is suddenly playing cagey on Umaga. There is an implication that the injury might not be as bad as first thought, and they're waiting for a specialist's report before making any statements.

England, I thought, were fairly lumbering. The trouble with matches against some minnows is that they can actually make you look less than you are. When a minnow is physically strong, and 100% committed to defence and spoiling, they can make life difficult. Until they tire. Which, I think, was pretty much what happened.

The only thing that has come out of the match is a problem for Clive with the halfback position. Bracken strained his back in the warm up, Dawson left the field injured, as did Gormasal. I don't think any of the injuries are serious, but I fear that V.D. might be dusting off his passport and taking his tongue to Pilates to get it into shape.

	13-10-2003 09:31									#433
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IRT -> Umaga:

Ruptured Cruciated Ligaments = End of Career.

	13-10-2003 12:16									#434
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quote: Originally posted by Frozzy IRT -> Umaga: Ruptured Cruciated Ligaments = End of Career.

Very sad news...

	13-10-2003 12:52									#435
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There’s a familiar tune playing here – “Let’s bash England”

quote: Well. I just saw the England game and to be honest I wasn’t that impressed.

Really? Because I saw NZ and thought they were fairly good. But should I say “it’s only Italy for Fark’s sake”.

Lardy Thompson by the way was one of the few consistently punching holes through those huge forwards – I reckon you just don’t like him.

quote: think they’ll definitely have to fire up if they want to beat France, assuming France carry on playing like they did yesterday.

Wow – you really have got this one staggeringly wrong. Of the two England looked far the stronger – although some of what France were doing later in the second half was quite nice.

quote: England, I thought, were fairly lumbering

You too Finbar? They controlled the game totally, and you are being unfair to Georgia who were artless but very industrious. We used it as a nice training run without giving away anything to the Boks for next week. What would you rather we did?

Name another team for me that would have prospered more on that wet (and very poor) surface (thanks to your witch doctor)? Is Subiaco an Aussie rules pitch? The turf looked awful.

quote: I don't think any of the injuries are serious, but I fear that V.D. might be dusting off his passport and taking his tongue to Pilates to get it into shape.

He was called but he suffered a Hamstring strain before the truly desperate loss to Glaws on Saturday so you are safe.

Cue Finbar’s

I was by the way extremely sorry to see Umaga’s injury – he’s been a truly great player for the ABs and I was looking forward to seeing him should we manage to meet the ABs again.

*edit* Finbar it's a monday morning for me, and I am tired after yesterday, but did I read you have been buying tins of duck fat??

*edit* I see Clive is out to win Aussie hearts and minds again by pointing out Burke's blatant obstruction on the defender for Roff's try.

	13-10-2003 14:48									#436
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Name another team for me that would have prospered more on that wet (and very poor) surface (thanks to your witch doctor)? Is Subiaco an Aussie rules pitch? The turf looked awful.

It is an AFL field unfortunately and was last used fairly recently to boot.
Incidentally, on behalf of all WA residents, I would like to thank the English team for bringing their weather with them. A spot of rain was much needed.
Oh, and apparently they played some rugby too.
It's even worth the extra few potholes (due to one M. Johnson stomping around town no doubt) that have mysteriously appeared of late.

To be honest I was rather impressed with Georgia, particularly in the first half hour or so before things got away from them. If they'd managed to keep a hold of the ball (and if the ref had called some of those English passes that looked suspiciously not-backwards ) when they had it they might've done a thing or two.
At any rate I don't think the final score reflected their capabilities. Nor did the general attitude (media-wise) towards their chances before the match resemble the effort they put in on the field.

	13-10-2003 15:02									#437
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quote: Originally posted by Havak *edit* Finbar it's a monday morning for me, and I am tired after yesterday, but did I read you have been buying tins of duck fat??

Yes he did and you can't imagine all the delicacies you can cook with that.

	13-10-2003 15:07									#438
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quote: Incidentally, on behalf of all WA residents, I would like to thank the English team for bringing their weather with them. A spot of rain was much needed.

Will it go down as well when they bring that same ‘English weather’ to Queensland at this time of year?

quote: It's even worth the extra few potholes (due to one M. Johnson stomping around town no doubt) that have mysteriously appeared of late.

Andydog would reckon that’s down to Thompson stomping around town looking for a few more burgers.

quote: If they'd managed to keep a hold of the ball (and if the ref had called some of those English passes that looked suspiciously not-backwards) when they had it they might've done a thing or two.

The forward passes were our homage to the conquerors of Italy. Don’t tell Clive but we definitely used decoys/blockers too.

Georgia did play well – I doubt that will make anyone give England a single inch for putting 80 points on them - but it remains a fact. They were a strong physical outfit and their fitness (or adrenalyn?) lasted very well. But I think the key thing is that they didn’t manage to keep hold of the pill. At all. And without the pill you can’t play attacking rugby. Can you recall any action whatsoever in the England 22? There wasn’t even much in our half! I fail to see how you thought they might have posted more points?

quote: At any rate I don't think the final score reflected their capabilities

It didn’t reward the work they put in – but it did accurately reflect their capabilities I’m afraid. An important distinction.

*edit* Tamerlin I never thought I would see 'duck fat' and delicacies in the same sentence.

	13-10-2003 15:46									#439
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Duck fat is one of the great cooking mediums! You haven't had roasted potatoes till you've had them roasted in duck fat!

Anyway, the main reason I bought it is to make a Duck Confit on the way towards making Tamerlin's Mum's Cassoulet!

And hearing the news about VD has made my night!

Ooops, I might have got carried away there ... hang on ...

	13-10-2003 16:07									#440
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No need to explain - if you like duck fat thats all that matters.

Our butchers bill is growing a bit too large for my liking - Hill has Hamstring trouble and Grewcock stubbed his toe in the warm up Sunday (so never came off the bench).

Ben Kay got Planet rugbys call as man of the match btw - and it was a promising performance...

	13-10-2003 17:50									#441
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I've given up on Planet Rugby. Every time you go there, the page loads, prior to a massive bloody advertisement sweeping across the page and blocking most of it!

Oh, and that was intentional.

As the grounds get harder, I suspect there are going to be more and more injuries for everyone.

	13-10-2003 18:12									#442
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Sadly I am sure you are right.

Yes I am not a fan of those page blocking adds - particular ones that hide the close button...in fact I too am going to infringe on Tamerlin's trade mark about them

	14-10-2003 04:25									#444
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Greetings from Kiwiman in Melbourne. Finbar kindly informed me about this enlightened forum. News this morning is that Umaga is out with his knee for the tournament and that Caucau got 2 match suspension.

	14-10-2003 04:57									#445
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Can you recall any action whatsoever in the England 22? There wasn’t even much in our half! I fail to see how you thought they might have posted more points?

There was a lot of action in the England 22. Every single kick-off Georgia put it there.
Every. Single. Time.
If they'd dropped it a bit shorter and been able to contest the play before England had it under control ...
well, nothing too remarkable about 20/20 hindsight I suppose.
Oh and I wasn't going to mention those decoy runners of yours but now that you've brought it up ...


Welcome kiwiman. You're not the only Kiwi here.

	14-10-2003 05:41									#446
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quote: Originally posted by kiwiman Greetings from Kiwiman in Melbourne. Finbar kindly informed me about this enlightened forum. News this morning is that Umaga is out with his knee for the tournament and that Caucau got 2 match suspension.

Welcome kiwiman!

For the benefit of the thread, I ran into kiwiman in another forum I frequent - a forum dedicated to another of the three obsessions in my life - and I invited him here. I suggested he bring a sense of humour. I also provided him with pen pictures of the posters here. Luckily, just about all of you have posted on this or the last page, so kiwiman is now marvelling at the accuracy of my descriptions.

Be aware, though, kiwiman, that Tamerlin believes he holds copyright over the smilie and will attempt to collect royalties from those who use the smilie. Remember I mentioned Tamerlin to you? Il se fait des illusions.

Anyway, back to business. Yes, bad news about Umaga. But at least it appears not to be career-threatening. And Caucau was lucky to escape with two matches, IMHO. I mean, for crying out loud, the forearm was his second crack at the Frenchman. His first crack - a punch - missed!

	14-10-2003 05:45									#447
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quote: Originally posted by ravagon Welcome kiwiman. You're not the only Kiwi here.

He knew that. I invited him to shore up the defences against the NH barbarian hordes.

	14-10-2003 06:09									#448
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quote: Originally posted by finbar He knew that. I invited him to shore up the defences against the NH barbarian hordes.

Remember Finbar, YOU are the barbarians, WE are the guardians of the Noble Game...

Welcome Kiwiman...

I have seen the first half of New Zealand vs. Italia this morning and I have been really surprised Tana Umaga's injury could be so grivious. Though it is a pity we won't see this player again for the World Cup I have been impressed by the player replacing him, I am not sure the future opponents of the All Blacks are earning a benefit from this replacement.

	14-10-2003 07:07									#449
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I'll see to your and play you a

	14-10-2003 07:36									#450
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin Remember Finbar, YOU are the barbarians, WE are the guardians of the Noble Game...

Tamerlin's been at the Absinthe again!

quote: I have seen the first half of New Zealand vs. Italia this morning and I have been really surprised Tana Umaga's injury could be so grivious.

Yes, it was dead unlucky. Collateral damage, in fact, falling over Carlos. But you could see the knee hyper-extend as he went down.

quote: Though it is a pity we won't see this player again for the World Cup I have been impressed by the player replacing him, I am not sure the future opponents of the All Blacks are earning a benefit from this replacement.

Ma'a Nonu is his name. Very talented. Sort of a pocket-sized version of Umaga. He's Umaga's centre partner in S12. You can imagine the rampages they go on together. They just about carried the Hurricanes into the S12 semi-finals this season.