24-09-2003 04:24									#91
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quote: Originally posted by Havak I will be making sure that I get to post during the tournament (sorry Finbar).

That's what you think!

	24-09-2003 04:29									#92
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I don't think I've ever seen a thread with so many smilies.

	24-09-2003 04:30									#93
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quote: Originally posted by Havak They won't - don't worry. And a chance is all you will get. How much should I elaborate? Woods is for me the best hooker still playing the game. I consider him to still be better than Thompson for example - would you rate this lad you named better than Thompson?

The Paddy is real class in a period, worldwide, IMHO, of pretty average hookers. But he would stand out in any period. Mealamu is, by comparison with the Paddy, promising.

quote: On which note Finbar he is currently fit and should be present for the big RWC game with them - I don't expect the abject surrender up front they made to you in June.

But I read this morning that someone else is now injured. The way they're travelling, they'll be lucky to field a team.

	24-09-2003 04:31									#94
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quote: Originally posted by Frozzy I don't think I've ever seen a thread with so many smilies.

Yeah. Once Tamerlin finds a new toy, he flogs it.

	24-09-2003 04:32									#95
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Well I can tell you that I certainly appreciate it. Mmmm...prosciutto...I think I'll have Italian for lunch today. Little Italy is just down the road...

And, just for Frozzy's benefit:

	24-09-2003 04:35									#96
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Updated weather report. Now we know why we couldn't get to sleep last night. It was Sydney's highest overnight September minimum for 57 years - 22C.

	24-09-2003 12:47									#97
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quote: That's what you think!

Oh no – is the O’Neil secret service after me?

Clearly they realise how critical I am to our chances?

quote: Mealamu is, by comparison with the Paddy, promising.

What strikes me most is that nobody from that particular front row this year has struck me at being any good at the core front row skill – the scrum. A hooker can be as mobile as you like and throw on a dime (not that I noticed this working too well either) but if he can’t scrum he aint no damn good as they say.

quote: The way they're travelling, they'll be lucky to field a team.

And I tempted fate on their behalf – Woodsy had minor elbow surgery earlier in the week to cure a mobility problem with the joint. His coach says it was minor and no worry for the RWC. Personally if my elbow locked up I would worry.
The loss of Murphy though I would say has disproportionately ruined their chances of going far in the tourney.

On a different note there’s an irreverent sport quiz show on the Beeb here called "They think it’s all over". One thing they do is a picture round where three faces are rolled into one and the teams have to get all three names. Jonno figured as the middle part of one of these last night and was fairly easy to spot.

The presenter Nick Hancock summarised with “the 6’7” nineteen stone Johnson has the nickname Muppet to his team mates – and we’ll be taking the P out of that….just as soon as we know he has safely landed in Australia”.

Well it tickled me anyway.

	24-09-2003 13:35									#98
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quote: Originally posted by Havak They won't - don't worry. And a chance is all you will get. How much should I elaborate? Woods is for me the best hooker still playing the game. I consider him to still be better than Thompson for example - would you rate this lad you named better than Thompson? *edit* If it helps to clarify Keith is almost single handedly responsible for Irelands win over England in 2001 - his work rate and presence around the park that day beat anything I've seen from a hooker since Pit Bull packed in in the mid nineties. He missed the next two Anglo-Irish games both of which were crushing defeats for the Green - and I am sure his lack of presence affected that hugely (as indeed big J missing the 2001 game no doubt hampered us).

So when you claim that Woods is in a "totally different class" to Mealamu, you mean that Woods does more work and inspires the team by example? Given the NH style it's not surprising that he does more work, but I still think that Mealamu displays more talent.

And the last time I watched Thompson play he hiffed almost every lineout ball way past the forwards to nobody. You were lucky the French were under performing, you won't get away with throws like that in the WRC.

J (as in dangling hook )

	24-09-2003 14:31									#99
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We must be watching different teams. Yours appear to be a fantasy side given how average the AB front row has been this year even against moderate opposition like the Aussie fornt row.

Beyond that I'm not climbing on the hook.

Sorry to see Williams is now doubtful - does that mean that shambolic hulk who got a run in the tri nations will now partner Jack? lets hope the ABs don't meet a decent set of forwards then eh?

	24-09-2003 16:02									#100
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No fantasies. I wasn't arguing about our entire front row, just our hooker. I’ve written before about our forward pack's deficiencies and what needs to happen for us to beat England. But you must admit, the likes of Mealamu and McCaw show a lot of promise.

As far as Williams goes, if it turns out he can’t play then we do have options available to us for that position should we require them. Mitchell has involved specific players in our preparation at various stages during the year and is monitoring their form and will continue to involve them in our preparation.

I read an interesting article about Thorne – despite him having the one of the most stressful jobs in NZ, when the quacks turned up at the AB training camp and assessed the players for stress, Thorne was found to be the most relaxed of them all. He must know something we don’t!

	24-09-2003 16:55									#101
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McCaw certainly so - but so far the other guy has not given me that impression. But then he is about to get chance to so do isn't he - I'll try to keep an open mind. I'm sure you will do the same watching Keith?

Tell me more about those options - Williams always struck me a workaday partner to the more clearly talented Jack - so what kind of quality are these 'options'?

Thorne may know something we don't - now what might that be?

	24-09-2003 17:17									#102
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By the way is there any truth to the rumour that a former Bok player has been physcially escorted away, and subsequently totally barred, from the AB training camp?

	24-09-2003 18:13									#103
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Updated weather report. Now we know why we couldn't get to sleep last night. It was Sydney's highest overnight September minimum for 57 years - 22C.

What? No air conditioning? Are you trying to pretend you're in France?

	24-09-2003 19:08									#104
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quote: Originally posted by Andydog So when you claim that Woods is in a "totally different class" to Mealamu, you mean that Woods does more work and inspires the team by example? Given the NH style it's not surprising that he does more work, but I still think that Mealamu displays more talent.

I just think the Paddy - at this point in time - is a much better all round hooker. Vastly more experienced, better scrummager, et al. Mealamu remains, by comparison, IMHO, promising.

quote: And the last time I watched Thompson play he hiffed almost every lineout ball way past the forwards to nobody. You were lucky the French were under performing, you won't get away with throws like that in the WRC.

He won't fall for that rancid old bait. Anyway, Thompson proves my earlier point - there's a dearth of quality hookers at the moment.

	24-09-2003 19:12									#105
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Tell me more about those options - Williams always struck me a workaday partner to the more clearly talented Jack - so what kind of quality are these 'options'?

I'd like to know more about these lock options too. There were only three in the squad and Brad Thorn, the third, was found wanting in his only outing in the Tri Nations. One of the websites reports that Troy Flavell - he who stomps people's heads - is in contention, and if that's the case, I'm calling off our bet, Havak!

quote: Thorne may know something we don't - now what might that be?

I suspect Reuben has borrowed some of Tamerlin's magic weed.

	24-09-2003 19:15									#106
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia What? No air conditioning? Are you trying to pretend you're in France?

We're egg-nishin'd upstairs and downstairs. Had it on today, actually. And only wimps turn it on at 22C overnight.

	24-09-2003 19:18									#107
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quote: Originally posted by Havak By the way is there any truth to the rumour that a former Bok player has been physcially escorted away, and subsequently totally barred, from the AB training camp?

Where did you hear this? And who was it? It was finally established that the Boks did, despite their management's denial, videotape the final Wallaby training session prior to the Tri Nations match over there.

	24-09-2003 19:55									#108
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Lets see - I found this on Planet Rugby Finbar.

is it true?

Thompson is a converted Flanker - and looks it. We gain around the paddock from playing him but he is perhaps not the best option in the set pieces.

Flavell stamps on heads? So does Williams if you recall.

	24-09-2003 20:48									#109
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quote: Originally posted by finbar We're egg-nishin'd upstairs and downstairs. Had it on today, actually. And only wimps turn it on at 22C overnight.

Yes, it's much more manly to toss and turn all night.

Actually it depends on the humidity more than the temperature for me. NYC is disgusting during the summer.

	24-09-2003 21:45									#110
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Tell me more about those options - Williams always struck me a workaday partner to the more clearly talented Jack - so what kind of quality are these 'options'?

Maxwell has attended a few training camps, he plays with Jack for Crusaders. I guess Bad Boy Flavell is the obvious choice, who'd have thought he'd play in the Cup 6 months ago when he was in disgrace? Maling is probably above Flavell but unless he recovers from injury quickly I can't see him getting in.

It would be a real blow if Williams can't play. He's another very promising lad worth keeping an eye on. They may yet pump him full of pain killers and play him.

	24-09-2003 21:48									#111
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quote: Originally posted by finbar I suspect Reuben has borrowed some of Tamerlin's magic weed.

Tamerlin has too much to be smoking the whacky dacky.

	24-09-2003 22:28									#112
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quote: Originally posted by Andydog Tamerlin has too much to be smoking the whacky dacky.

It's called withdrawal crisis...

	24-09-2003 22:35									#113
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quote: Originally posted by finbar I suspect Reuben has borrowed some of Tamerlin's magic weed.

Sure it is decontracting but some stupid officials (people that have never smoked anything IMO) have decided this is a doping product. I have already tried to do some sport (volley-ball actually) after having smoked some magic wheed and I can assure you that you are nothing close to an athlete at this moment, though I must admit this is rather funny.

	24-09-2003 22:58									#114
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In my smoking days (which are long over), I once played a game of table tennis after sucking back a huge marley, and funnily enough I beat everyone. Including the coach. I just seemed to be able to see and read the ball so much better. I didn't try it again though, and so was beaten by the best yet again.

	24-09-2003 23:11									#115
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Ahhh...the magic weed. I can't imagine participating in any sport while under the influence of that stuff. Unless you count drinking cups of tea as a sport.

	25-09-2003 03:52									#116
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia ...Unless you count drinking cups of tea as a sport.

It depends on the number of magic wheed cigarettes smoked so far.

	25-09-2003 04:31									#117
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Lets see - I found this on Planet Rugby Finbar. is it true?

Mmmm. He says he's a professional, meaning, by his definition, that he wouldn't pass on secrets. But he's returning to South Africa. Another definition of professional is that your loyalty is to whomever pays you.

I rather enjoyed the report that Nathan Gray had videotaped another team's training session. Given Nathan's lack of grey matter - not a bad pun given that I'm on hols and not in work mode - he probably forgot to remove the lens cap.

quote: Thompson is a converted Flanker - and looks it. We gain around the paddock from playing him but he is perhaps not the best option in the set pieces.

Well, yes. So where have all the quality hookers gone?

quote: Flavell stamps on heads? So does Williams if you recall.

Flavell's was much much uglier. I saw it. His boot was flailing for the opponent's head while the opponent was on the way down. Once he hit the ground, and had nowhere else to go, the stomping got seriously underway. Flavell's a known lunatic, Williams was just stupid. Just as stupid as J**** for deliberately stepping on that player.

	25-09-2003 04:34									#118
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quote: Originally posted by Andydog It would be a real blow if Williams can't play. He's another very promising lad worth keeping an eye on. They may yet pump him full of pain killers and play him.

I think Williams is promising. My concern has been that he's more of a lineout specialist. His workrate around the ground has left something to be desired. Again, as with hookers, we seem to have a bit of a dearth of quality locks as good around the ground as they are in lineouts.

	25-09-2003 04:40									#119
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin It depends on the number of magic wheed cigarettes smoked so far.

Listen, you lot! If you don't cut this out, I'm going to have you all tested!

I can just imagine the responses, too:

Tamerlin - "Someone spiked my Absinthe!".

Caligastia - "Someone spiked my prosciutto!".

Andydog - "Someone spiked my leg of lamb!".

Havak - "Someone spiked my pork pie!".

	25-09-2003 13:17									#120
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Whats allm this talk of illicit substances? If a man has a pint of bitter and a pork pie (spiked or natural) before kick off what more could he need to turn in a top performance?

quote: He's another very promising lad worth keeping an eye on

I’m getting increasingly convinced we ARE watching different teams!

quote: Another definition of professional is that your loyalty is to whomever pays you.

And a more accurate one to my mind.

quote: not a bad pun given that I'm on hols and not in work mode

Not too shabby.

quote: Well, yes. So where have all the quality hookers gone?

Beats me. The number two option is West (who is 36 I think) and his presence in the loose is not at the same level. The number three is mark Regan (30) who I have never ever rated as a Hooker in any case – but he is fairly mobile.

I had high hopes of a lad called Chuter that Tigers poached two seasons back but he is taking time to develop – he is just showing signs of challenging now. In fact he was the lad Taine said a big hello to on Sunday. Having said that he is a year older than Thompson so he has his work cut out to break through.

For all that though none of them impress me the way old stagers like Moore and Fitzy used to.

quote: Just as stupid as J**** for deliberately stepping on that player.

What player? I’ve genuinely forgotten this if I should know it. The last two suspensions I recall – the only ones in my recent memory – we in turn for driving his knee into Psycho McCraes back (the infamous non broken rib incident) and then against the same club the next season when the Sarries Scottish hooker was climbing on his back and he rather daftly nearly laid them out with an uppercut.

quote: Again, as with hookers, we seem to have a bit of a dearth of quality locks as good around the ground as they are in lineouts.

You are only speaking for the tri nations here. We have plenty of mobile atheletic locks thank you very much. It’s an area that gave Clive huge problems in selection – in terms of who had to stay behind. Simon Shaw lost out – and on his form in the warm ups should be feeling mighty aggrieved!