RUGBY

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I note i've been dropped from the 'Top Posters' list by one RobinP!

So what can I post about????

Rugby Union, yes!

Fellow fanatics, best line-up for the WC Wallabies, at current injury status

1 Kepu; no Robinson, crazy if we took him
2 Moore; with Polotau-Nau as back-up, he has been injured otherwise he'd be top dog
3 Alexander; due to Slippers injury, and Ma'afu is too fat again to move round the pitch
4 Horwill; playing better now than ever, thank goodness
5 Sharpe or Vickermann; Sharpe should play BIG this weekend after being snubbed, Vickermann not match fit
6 Elsom; hopefully getting to match fit, never be as good as when he was at Leinster, he looks so much slower
7 Pocock; though overshadowed by McCaw, it was McCaw!
8 Higginbotham; everyone bar Deans wants him there, can he play 80 minutes as well as he can off the bench
9 Genia; CAPTAIN!!!!
10 Cooper; too late to change
12 McCabe; hasn't done anything wrong, was put into uncomfortable position outside Cooper last week (offensively speaking) or Faingaa.A.; again hasn't done anything wrong but where has more experience outside Genia, Cooper thank McCabe doesnt' make as many metres with the ball as McCabe (I'd go with Faingaa.A. as would be solid amongst all those flairy backs. Both can tackle!
13 A.Ashley-Cooper; has he lost a metre in pace? who else, maybe slot O'Connor in here!
11 Ioane
14 O'Connor if not playing inside, or Davies, quick as and would have two good defenders inside and is used to Cooper
15 Beale


Reserves
Slipper; if rehabed enough, if not Ma'afu, though his fat again and slow but good scrummager; Baxter, though he is not in the squad, he finished the Super 15 season well!
Faingaa,S.; who is else there? Ulugia?
Burgess, NOT Phipps!
Giteau; can cover 9,10,12, 15
????????
Simmons and Timani tooooooooo immature yet hopefully 2015



Where have I erred in judgement, Mark

 

You did not mention last Saturdays humiliation of the Wallabies ....

 

Craig, Bro, fellow-Antipodean, similarly accented (but with some funny bits) mate.
I only started this thread to give my 'cousins' across the waters under the long white cloud an opportunity to post.
I won, as I had taken the All-Blacks @ -10.5 start, and was rapt, for my finances, when before the match the body language was evident. The AB's were psyched, not my 'custard' coloured Wallabies though.
That first 15-20 minutes! The best team play I think I've seen (not individual, team). Individually I thought Kaino was mom, with Carter an honourable mention. Apart from the set pieces NZ were so dominant. When the loose head replacement brother Franks came on then AB's got on top.
For Australia, Simmons (not ready), McCalman have to go, right out of the squad.
Samo must bench, covers lock, 6 and 8.
It's too late to change Cooper, Deans and Nucifora must answer for the backline situation.
As for the second five-eighth (inside-centre is easier to say) and 13 bl**dy hell, what do we do. McCabe wasn't bad, Cooper stuffed him more than Nonu. AAC is missing, one year too much?

I've backed NZ to win the WC and had a saver on France, the only team capable (on a good day) to be able to knock off the AB's unless they.... you know the cho.. word,
And what a player, a role model, McCaw!

 

Don't forget the northern hemisphere. We creamed the Taffies (just).

Someone said that it was 'only' a friendly. No such thing between the gentlemen and the sheep-sha@@ers.

Don't fancy SA for the world cup Mark?

Bill

 

Goodaye Bill, IMO no unless Carter is injured i can't see how they can be beat. If Carter is out then England > Aust, Ireland, SA have a chance (France of course anytime).
Notice Craig hasn't replied, probably worrying about hexing the Blacks since I mentioned the "c" word!, and probably like most NZ'ers too humble to rub it in ...... NOT

I am looking forward to the All-Black v England match!

 

I thought England looked weak in the second half against Wales (although I confess, I played in a charity game before the international and by the second half of the international I was kind of loosing the ability to focus).

For those that know my history: Yes, my knee was held together with vinegar and brown paper for the duration of the game (neoprene knee support and gaffer tape actually). No, I couldn't get out of bed on Sunday. The mind was willing, the body was saying that it wanted a divorce from my mind. My abs were destroyed:bash: Still it was great to have some contact after three years out; coach said I ran some great lines; I set up three tries; got hammered afterwards; Mrs went mental when she found out I'd played "what on earth were you thinking of?" "They were short of a blindside"... Didn't really wash. Nice to know I managed one last game with my mates though. But, for those that have no cruciate ligaments intact in their knee- I wouldn't recommend it (sh!t myself at every contact, especially when I felt it start to bend backwards on a couple of hits).

"Would you like to come back and play for us Spooner?" Errr, no. Maybe, next year...

All blacks should take world cup. Yet, stranger things have happened.

 

All blacks should take it. Will beat France in the final. Whatever happens, I'll be there to see my team (wales) go crashing out of the group stages (Being a Wales fan is hard work sometimes but just in case I have tickets for the relevant quarter finals......) and at the Eden park for the final. Was a clever thing to marry a man who takes me to RWC for our honeymoon!!!!! 43 days till the Taffys go on tour!!!!!

 

Well be not dismayed - Wales v England in Cardiff today - another 'friendly'! If you can exploit the woeful lack of cover in the overlap shown last week, maybe revenge will be sweet. We shall see.

My son, who lives and works in Cardiff and took great pleasure in going into the office last Monday, might feel less perky next Monday!

I tend to agree re: the Blacks, but England are currently crushing India in the summer game, and according to the form book that shouldn't be, so maybe a resurgent Wales will make a good showing in the world cup.

All the best (but not for the rugby)

Bill

 

Wales. What happened? What's gone wrong? Only read the reports.

The South African match was a step better than last week. The Boks seemed marginally better in the first half but failed to score. Second half, despite a shocker by referee Bryce Lawrence (out Kaplan'd Kaplan), finished better after a solid start. The Australian forwards more than matched the Boks in all areas with Elsom getting his matchfitness/agressive play back, thank ...... The Boks need a change in coaching staff (no news to anyone) and the 2 de Plessis was impressive when he came on, admittedly fresh, should have been there from the start as Smit is past it and got pulverized when he moved to TH.
Samo and A.Faingaa just got themselves selected for the WC. Higginbotham did not live up to expectations, Cooper and O'Connor still shellshocked after last week, Genia had an off game for him.
Still no where near the All-Blacks!

 

what about the appalling refereeing?

 

Goodaye Craig, at last he bites!

Just rewatched the first half, and most of the penalties seemed justified. 1st half he did miss the crooked throw (6th minute), warned Pocock to desist unjustifiably (28th minute) and worst of all not letting that ruck continue, a minute before the break, it had only formed with Australia in an incredibly strong position to score!
I think it must be the yellow, it's so easily observed whereas black and dark green isn't.

I, as a biased Aust supporter, am much happier after this game. The front row has now held the All-Blacks and Boks! Hopefully Slipper is right (WC) as back-up (Robinson won't be), Moore has played two strong games, Horwill excellent, Sharpe as predicted was geed up and played accordingly, Elsom YES (I put that down to me praying the other night and God would've done his/her/its bit since things are quiet ATM), Pocock despite two good steals is still not going great guns, Samo looked gooooodd (i realise he was on fresh), McCabe was solid, did not err defensively and had a couple of ok runs (didn't lose the ball unlike a lot of other Wallabies)
but the ref, I think I'd vote for that Barnes bloke, he seems impartial and competent!

 

some very happy, much relieved and slightly fragile :drinks:drinks Taffys about. Excellent defence, and a great example of taking chances when they present themselves. some rather dodgy refereeing in the scrums (did anything say anything about cheating from England? you didn't hear it from me?)igs:igs:

:morning:
now to do it all again against argentina next week!

 

You're absolutely right about the dodgy refereeing in the scrums. England should have had at least 2 penalty tries with the naughty Welsh front row standing up to disrupt perfectly fair scrummaging! (I used to play 2nd row normally but occasionally stood in for a prop, so I know most of the dirty tricks, which incidentally were taught to us by 'Knocker' Harris :hammer:, a Welshman - and this was only schoolboy stuff!)

Ah well, see what you can do to the Argies.

All the best

Bill

 

i'm sorry i can't let that one get by. i'm coaching a front row specialist clinic up at my club this week, and one of the first things i'll be coaching is that whole thing about scrummaging straight and binding on the body, both sadly lacking from the England tighthead, and the ref let him get away with it:bash:. i will also be coaching my looseheads how to counter that better (and maybe how to do it without the ref noticing.......):boohoo:
Big blow for wales with Rees not going, the other hookers need to get their lineout throwing right!!!!

 

I love it. I get on an international rugby forum dominated by NZ'ers and the claims by many are, IMO, so biased. They accuse me of same. Now England v Wales. Everyone states the most biased commentators are from another country. Love it.

 

Believe me Mark, compared to the Welsh, NZ commentators are as sweet, innocent children when it comes to bias; it's because they never leave their valleys isn't it boyo lookyou?

Actually, what I love about rugby (and cricket) is that this sort of banter is good humoured, whilst in the round ball game........ well, enough said.

All the best

Bill

PS. What do the Welsh know about scrummaging straight? Look at the recordings of Saturday's match!

 

Thanks Bill, I'll try and get to watch a Welsh commentated game, Mark

 

Murray Mexted is my favourite one-eyed commentator - I will never forget Ireland v AB's about 2001:

Keith Wood having a fantastic game, when he chips the AB's catches and runs, Mexteds co-commentator states 'that why he is the best player in the world'
Mexted - 'Arrrgh…… there are millions who would disagree with you on that one mate'
Co-Commentator 'Errrrr….. Murray, he is the IRB Player of the year - voted by the players'

 

I wonder if our esteemed forum administrator - guru is getting a wee bit nervous?
friday 8.30 pm till the unbeatables meet TONGA!
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.
.
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.
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(mind you I've got all my money on the all Blacks to win the WC (with a saver on France))

 

who me? nah!

 

I'd love to have my house on NZ but my "investment broker" isn't even betting match odds on the match, ie. they think NZ are better than 100/1 ON ! to win

 

Craig

Its not whether you beat the Tongans it's more how many players you will have left - its their World Cup Final on the largest stage Rugby can offer - its almost a home game to them.

Pacific islanders are experts in 'Coathanger'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blQka5v-7OI&feature=related

and will definately see some of this on friday - Bring it on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eGCsEQ15L4

 

The highlight might be the haka v the sipi tau. Hope that's right, looking forward to it anyway.

 

Should be a tough match, looking forward to it - loved the 'coathangers' Jonathan.

Late well done to the Taffies creaming the Argies.

All the best

Bill

 

Been pretty useless this afternoon, found this and watched it from start to finish.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b014b5j9/Lions_71/

I learn't my rugby in NZ in a small farming town called Methven in Canterbury - the hard way. I had no idea what the game was about except that the posh kids played at the private school up the road back in Surrey, so it couldn't be hard.

I was suck out on the wing - 'when ya get the ball pom, run like buggery' was more or less all the coaching I got. I soon learn't there are two reasons why you should run

1) You may score a try (Never did)
2) You won't get punched (I did - alot)

After the game I staggered to the Brown Pub (Not only was I a Pom but a skier too, so to be allowed in the locals pub was a honour) - Ice cold Lion Brown helped take the pain away and swelling. Nearly 22 years later still in contact with that bloody farmer who said 'fancy a go ya pommy joker'

 

I've been lectured. Apparently as long as you're born in NZ you can do the haka, skinny hairy white legs and all! But it does look wrong. Should just let the Maori players do it whilst the caucasians standly repectfully behind!


Go the All-Blacks!

 

....30 minutes to the Opening Ceremony... the Arena'ettes are about to be relegated to the bench when it comes to who gets the TV (Sponge Bob Squarepants is going to have to wait!)

First game tonight --- its will be haka vs haka; All Blacks vs Tonga

 

wow, it's taking its toll being on NZ time and watching rugby all night. oh well, not long till i'm there. and that kick was definately over!!!!:boohoo::boohoo:
being a wales fan is not good for the heart!

 

Not good for NZ Carters out

 

When Irish Eyes are Smiling, Sure the World is Full of Cheer
'Cause When the Irish Smile the Most, The Irish are Full of Beer

And by God, the Guinness is going to get a pasting tonight. Well done the Paddys! The tactics might have been well planned but it takes good gutsy players to carry them out, especially against the Aussies.

Pity the draw seems to indicate northern hemisphere against northern hemisphere and southern against southern in the knockout stages.

Cheers

Bill

 

Hi Bill,

Let's hope the English team can do us proud too

Shame I have to go to Nottingham for a meeting otherwise I would be glued to the screen.

Angie

 

Where's Mark? What happened?

 

Good morning all.
Watched it and Ireland deserved it. Their forwards won the game and Aus backs failed to. Aust just weren't there psychologically as they were when they beat the All-Blacks coupla' weeks back.
Not suicidal yet, Moore was missed BIG time as Polotoa-Nau hasn't played for soooo long. Despite being bagged yet again I thought McCalman, though no Pocock was one of the better of the forwards, did a lot of defence and had a couple of hit-ups. Elsom was most disappointing, Samo just wasn't Kepu was out scrummed, Cooper, that NZ born and raised son-of-a-gun did as many good things as atrocious.
McCabe did a lot of defence, again, but IMO should be stood down and Fainga'a should be given a run at 12. Why Deans and co didn't select Tapui for the WC heaven knows.
Genia played really well!!!! and don't know what the final penalty count was but Bryce Lawrence is up there with Kaplan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My money on NZ looking a little bit safer, as Aus has to play South Africa (most probably) in quarters now.

 

Mark I think Australia now has to beat NZ and RSA just to get into the finals......

No hope!

Australian Rugby has gone the way of Australian Cricket!!! Thank god Thorpie is coming back to dominate!

 

Does one watch the Wales game with a cup of tea or a cheeky pint? .......

 

I sat next to Grant Fox on the flight from Auckland to Wellington in about 1993. I had no idea who he was, and the whole plain was pointing and whispering; I gather that a few days before he had kicked the goal that wone the All Blacks the game. I shows that anonimity can have its advantages! Rob

 

Is it just me, or are England playing the most uninspiring rugby of any of the teams within the tournament? Very poor. It's half time and I'm bored of their constant infringements at ruck again. As it seems is the referee. The back line is generally receiving good ball from Toby Flood, but are taking it totally static. Poor. No invention.

 

A better second half. But I reckon Ashton might have just broken his arm scoring that last try. Lets see......

 

Try the pint. At the end of the match you can celebrate or drown your sorrows; one of the two. :morning:

Simon. I agree, England were pretty ropey against a side they should have beaten well. However, they've been known to start slowly before......

All the best

Bill