24-10-2003 13:47									#211
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quote: Originally posted by Andydog Chevaux noirs is dark horses, Cheveux noirs is dark hair!

You are right!

quote: So Peter FitzSimons is actually saying that the French are the dark hair, the pubes of this tournament so far!

	24-10-2003 13:59									#212
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Tamerlin – would you give up Marsh as well? De Villers (when fit and not high)?

I don't see what you are talking about with Mr Antoine Marche and Mr Pierre De Villiers.

quote: If Tamerlin needs testing for THG I’m sure he would parcel up a sample for you – better insulate it by surrounding it with many tins of goose and duck fat though eh?

Only testing THC would provide a result.

	24-10-2003 14:30									#213
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Fulltime:

All Blacks 91
Tonga 7

Okay, I was only 999,909 - 7 out with my prediction. The ABs at least had the grace to look embarrassed scoring the tries towards the end. But what sort of preparation for a QF against South Africa is this? With Wales to come?

I've been forced to go out to a function at someone's place tonight. I said I would only go if I'm allowed to watch the rugby there. I'm going. To watch the rugby there.



I'll be back later to refute Havak's typically utter drivel and Tamerlin's steroid-induced rantings.

	24-10-2003 14:32									#214
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A nice little training run for the Kiwis all told? And I’m very grateful to them that probably the best Samoan player (Muliaina) can’t face us Sunday on account of actually being a Kiwi apparently.

Dog has bone here – you take it off him.

quote: I don't see what you are talking about with Mr Antoine Marche and Mr Pierre De Villiers.

	24-10-2003 14:47									#215
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A dull game without any interest as far as I am concerned... it only makes me wonder if the SH major teams are able to score a try without a knock on somewhere in the action (only a bit exaggerated).

	24-10-2003 14:56									#216
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I seem to recall the Pacific Rim teams always being a tough encounter, earning the respect of players and supporters alike. It’s a pity professionalism has created such a rift between the teams.

Good result for NZ, and I think they’ve found the solution to their goal kicking woes. But who’s going to play full-back Mils or Leon?

	24-10-2003 15:28									#217
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How about that one then! At last we’re starting to play some decent flowing rugby! I got worried at the start where we started dropping things again, but that seemed to sort itself out as the game went on – with the exception of Rodders. I feel sorry for him really, sure the ball was slippery but he spilled it far too many times in contact.

quote: Good result for NZ, and I think they’ve found the solution to their goal kicking woes. But who’s going to play full-back Mils or Leon?

Mils has definitely cemented his place as full back as far as I’m concerned. He is lethal running from the back. What a fantastic try he scored beating 7 players. He runs good lines, offloads well, and will combine nicely with Howlett & Rocko methinks. He’s safe under the high ball, and on D, quick enough, can’t ask for too much more really! And now top try scorer.

And Mr Leon 100% McDonald, kicking 13 conversions, who needs Carlos! It’s almost like we’ve got too much talent to choose from! McDonald played well as a centre too – he’s better suited to the more physically demanding role at centre and didn’t disrupt the back three. He did enough to show he is a serious option there if Umaga doesn’t make it.

The forwards had a good game I must say – solid in the scrum, again, and boy can they carry the ball!

Now that we've seen outstanding kicking performances from both MacDonald and Carter, the question becomes, who will be the starting XV kicker? Surely Mitch has to settle in to the lineup that's going to battle for the big games and the ultimate prize…

	24-10-2003 15:41									#218
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The opposition was so weak (a try each time the AB had the ball towards the end of the game) and so unimaginative that it should be very difficult to keep something about it, to the exception of the kicker.

	24-10-2003 16:29									#219
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Tamerlin, it was the domination of our forwards that won turnover after turnover, setting our backs up for try upon try. There is plenty to keep something about it matey.

Tonga are one of the stronger minnows - Wales only beat them by 7 pts.

	24-10-2003 18:22									#220
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God I have so been waiting for someone to turn up so that we can give Carlos the boot, so to speak. I hate that guy with a passion - never seen him do anything consistently well. He got a try this time, but so did everyone else. And someone tell me the last time he kicked 12 straight goals? In fact, has he ever done ANYTHING right? Or have I just happened to miss games where he is better than useless?

Well things looking a little slippery for the ABs again but I feel that they are a little more polished than the first two games, at least. I had to duck out for food at halftime and so I missed Tonga's try - a shame, I found myself really hoping they could sort themselves out for a lot of the match.

	24-10-2003 18:48									#221
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I'm back. I had to watch the Springboks -v- Georgia with the volume turned down!

I forgot that, this morning, I'd given up trying to persuade Havak out of his Tory ways. So happy sucking on your bone, Havak! So to speak.

Sorry, AB fans, but I thought tonight's match was pretty much meaningless. The Tongans were appalling. Made to look appalling to some degree, yes, but pretty appalling regardless. The embarrassed grin on Doug Howlett's face when he crossed for one of the very late tries said it all. It might even have been the try that started from the Tongan half, when the AB player took possession, noted that there wasn't a single Tongan player in the AB half, and, sensibly, kicked downfield. The only players who chased the kick were two ABs. That, unfortunately, was the standard of the opposition.

That aside, the only good to come out of my having to attend the function tonight was a conversation with someone else similarly dragged along against their will who also had to watch the match with the volume turned down. Between us, we solved the problem of uneven competition at RWC tournaments. Play them as "State of Origin". Players must represent the country of their birth.

Thus George Gregan would represent Namibia, et al.

Watch the strong Unions vote for the idea! Not.

	24-10-2003 19:06									#222
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“typically utter drivel”? I’m seldom payed such high compliments Finbar – thanks!

quote: Tonga are one of the stronger minnows - Wales only beat them by 7 pts.

Personally I see Wales as one of the stronger minnows myself.

I understand Marshall gifted the opposition their one try?

quote: So happy sucking on your bone, Havak! So to speak.

Cheers – the marrow was quite tasty.

quote: Watch the strong Unions vote for the idea! Not.

Oh I’m sure I could persuade the RFU to. I’ll set Tamerlin on the FFR. And lets face it there are no other ‘strong’ Unions – are there?

I didn’t see any of the Boks game but the write ups here are pretty dismissive – were they really that bad?

	24-10-2003 19:08									#223
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Thus George Gregan would represent Namibia, et al.

Finbar wee correction - Gregan would be up for Zambia along with Corne Crige (same town), while Garry Teichmann and Adrian Garvey would run on for Zimbabwe. Apparently Henry Olonga is pretty useful in the midfield.

Edit: Aah (Andydog) Mertens would represent SA!

	24-10-2003 19:26									#224
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quote: Originally posted by Havak “typically utter drivel”? I’m seldom payed such high compliments Finbar – thanks!

I reserve the best for the best!

quote: Personally I see Wales as one of the stronger minnows myself.

Wales sometimes seem to know what they're doing. Which isn't to say they do it properly. The Tongans tonight didn't have a clue, unfortunately. They're the weakest of the Island Nations from my observation.

quote: I didn’t see any of the Boks game but the write ups here are pretty dismissive – were they really that bad?

It wasn't their A team, so they had none of the intensity of last weekend. Obviously. They played well in patches, but let Georgia have far too much of the ball. If Georgia hadn't coughed up so much ball they could have threatened more. It was interesting to see Koen's replacement - young chap, starts with an H - in action, though. Missed a couple of kicks but potted most of them. And actually involved himself in the game a lot more than Koen does. Koen might struggle to make it back.

	24-10-2003 19:29									#225
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quote: Originally posted by Mickeyj Finbar wee correction - Gregan would be up for Zambia along with Corne Crige (same town), while Garry Teichmann and Adrian Garvey would run on for Zimbabwe. Apparently Henry Olonga is pretty useful in the midfield.

Quite right, Mickey. Sorry. I knew it ended in -ia. I shall retire to the study with the port and pistol.

I'm not sure that the NZRFU would vote for my scheme, though.

Edit. Where is Hendy Olonga these days?

	24-10-2003 19:35									#226
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Oh I’m sure I could persuade the RFU to. I’ll set Tamerlin on the FFR. And lets face it there are no other ‘strong’ Unions – are there?

But it would mean VD wouldn't score a RWC jersey. Unless there's a team representing Old Car Boots.

	24-10-2003 19:40									#227
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Finally I'm the best at something then (albeit utter drivel).

The young lad is called Hougaard apparently. I wonder if he has pushed Mr Koen out of contention?

*Edit* Young Austin is actually from the Wirral. At the risk of offending other posters if you know of the area it explains a great deal about the mouthy nature of the lad.

	24-10-2003 20:17									#228
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quote: The young lad is called Hougaard apparently. I wonder if he has pushed Mr Koen out of contention?

I would hope so, Koen was about as good as getting a backline going as Braam van Straaten, embarrassingly poor. Koen also has a history of choking in big games S12 and currie cup finals.
A lot of the SA press are toting Hougard (20 or 21years old) as our next big thing but he'll probably be overlooked by the next coach and move to the UK.

As I’ve been in the UK I haven't seen much of his play but he apparently (hate to quote the journos) is pretty good at getting his backline away and an 80% kicker.

quote: Where is Hendy Olonga these days?

Good old Henry is in political exile in the UK playing for one of the counties. He's recently been made and honorary member of the MCC, very posh.

	24-10-2003 20:29									#229
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quote: Originally posted by finbar Sorry, AB fans, but I thought tonight's match was pretty much meaningless.

Well to me it wasn't so meaningless - it was the first game where the players really started to click. At last we are playing with momentum, structure and continuity. Yes the Tongans were generally crap, I’d agree appalling in the second half, but they were physical - mainly in the first half - but we still totally dominated them physically.

And we will get better still, you can be sure of that!

	25-10-2003 00:55									#230
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quote: You are welcomed to find any way to prevent Dimitri playing for France.

Don't worry, Tamerlin, I think Dimitri is the least likely of all the French squad to play a game. Michalak is de facto scrum half replacement, with Merceron as fly half and they could even use Merceron as scrum half and Traille as fly half in case everyone else was unfit.
Nice to see you like Bobby Lapointe btw.

I feel sad for the Japanese. I won't see them play against the U.S., but wish I could.

	25-10-2003 01:53									#231
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quote: Originally posted by Andydog Tamerlin, it was the domination of our forwards that won turnover after turnover, setting our backs up for try upon try. There is plenty to keep something about it matey.

I am sorry but I don't agree, I have seen one of the worst game of Rugby this year. Several knock-on each minute from both teams, unimaginative Tonga players bumping into a wall of AB that didn't need to organize themselves to stop them, inefficient AB mauls unable to move forward with 5 or 6 All Blacks blocked by 2 or 3 lazy Tonga players, unpushed scrums...

If your forwards have been good it is certainly not in the phases where they are supposed to use their strength... As usual they have been used to pierce through the opponent's defense, a job I agree they do fairly well.

quote: Tonga are one of the stronger minnows - Wales only beat them by 7 pts.

So what?

You would beat wales by 60 points...

IMO you definitely need to reassure yourself and you are thus clinging to what you can.

	25-10-2003 02:17									#232
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Oh I’m sure I could persuade the RFU to. I’ll set Tamerlin on the FFR. And lets face it there are no other ‘strong’ Unions – are there?

No, of course there are not...

About the nationality problem I must admit I am pretty found of the concept of representing the federation instead of the nation itself. It sets Rugby apart from the other sports and I like it. IMO, it would not solve any problem, the situation will change when the minor nations' federations have the financial clout to pay their internationals and the players staying in their national championships.

quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare Don't worry, Tamerlin, I think Dimitri is the least likely of all the French squad to play a game. Michalak is de facto scrum half replacement, with Merceron as fly half and they could even use Merceron as scrum half and Traille as fly half in case everyone else was unfit.

May he who rules the universe if he exists at all hear you!

quote: Nice to see you like Bobby Lapointe btw.

Someone who has really listened one of his songs can only like him.

I must admit this is really far from my usual metal and jazz diet.

quote: I feel sad for the Japanese. I won't see them play against the U.S., but wish I could.

Instead of showing us insipid games during which one team is scoring 91 points, France Télévision should broadcast games like USA - Japan.

	25-10-2003 06:20									#233
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quote: Originally posted by Havak Finally I'm the best at something then (albeit utter drivel).

Don't rest on your laurels.

quote: The young lad is called Hougaard apparently. I wonder if he has pushed Mr Koen out of contention?

He should. Koen is pretty much a kicker and nothing more. Hougaard actually directed play and otherwise involved himself. Scored a nice try too.

quote: *Edit* Young Austin is actually from the Wirral. At the risk of offending other posters if you know of the area it explains a great deal about the mouthy nature of the lad.

I await clarification with bated breath.

	25-10-2003 06:24									#234
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quote: Originally posted by Mickeyj A lot of the SA press are toting Hougard (20 or 21years old) as our next big thing but he'll probably be overlooked by the next coach and move to the UK.

Koen's nicking off to the UK after the WRC anyway. I would have liked to have worked some more acronyms into that sentence but couldn't.

quote: Good old Henry is in political exile in the UK playing for one of the counties. He's recently been made and honorary member of the MCC, very posh.

More power to him. Brave chap.

	25-10-2003 06:32									#235
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quote: Originally posted by Andydog Well to me it wasn't so meaningless - it was the first game where the players really started to click. At last we are playing with momentum, structure and continuity. Yes the Tongans were generally crap, I’d agree appalling in the second half, but they were physical - mainly in the first half - but we still totally dominated them physically.

I hear what you're saying. But they really started to click for the first time against no opposition. They would have had stronger contests at match practice training. Given that I've backed the ABs to win the tournament, what concerns me is that they haven't, in these pool matches, faced anything remotely resembling the sort of pressure and strength they will later. I know it's not their fault - they didn't devise the pool groupings - but it still concerns me. Still, you can only beat what's put in front of you. Witness the Wallabies -v- Namibia today.

	25-10-2003 06:34									#236
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quote: Originally posted by LDiCesare I feel sad for the Japanese. I won't see them play against the U.S., but wish I could.

I'll watch it and give you a running commentary. It will be an interesting match. The Americans aren't as physically strong as the other teams they've played, so the Japanese shouldn't have to take as much out of themselves competing. I'm not sure whether it was just the intensity of the match against the Fijians, but the Japanese looked a bit tired against them, as if so many matches, at this level, in such a short space of time, had caught up with them.

	25-10-2003 06:42									#237
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quote: Originally posted by Tamerlin I must admit this is really far from my usual metal and jazz diet.

Hey Tamerlin. Is it true that, shortly after receipt of a package from a San Diego laboratory, you were timed to run the 100m in 7.7 seconds?

	25-10-2003 11:54									#238
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Half time score:

Wallabies 69
Namibia 0

Our turn for an exhibition match. The Namibians are yet to get inside their 22. When will Eddie Jones realise that Lote Tuquiri is vastly more talented than Wendell Sailor?

	25-10-2003 12:46									#239
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69-0 and this is half time score? Poor namibians...

	25-10-2003 12:54									#240
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It got worse for them, LDiCesare.

Final score:

Wallabies 142
Namibia 0

3 points short of the ABs' WRC points record against Japan, but the biggest winning margin ever. The Namibians did make into their 22 in the second half, coughed up the ball, and Matt Rogers punished them with an 80 metre try. Chris Latham set a Wallaby Test record with 5 tries. Still, it was good to see Matt Giteau displaying his skills at 5/8, even if under absolutely no pressure at all. He will be a very high class player.