BS: Rugby Union 2010

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:04 AM

LOL Dave. And there was me thinking that it was always Scotland The Brave :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:53 PM

Nah. Italy aren't going to beat Scotland. We'll quite happily beat ourselves.

Dave (from behind the sofa)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:38 PM

England nd Ireland will be a tough game alright.

Both slightly below par, full of potential and with a point to prove.

I think Ireland have the edge though.

But that could be the blood talking ...

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:29 PM

>>Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: The Villan - PM
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 06:52 AM

My predictions for the next 3 matches

England to beat Ireland in a very tough tight game.

France to beat Wales

Italy to beat Scotland by a single point. <<

Well I got one right so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 09:23 AM

Thats the spirit!

There'll be a statue of you pushing a cart or sitting in a jacuzzi before the year is out!

Any songsmiths around to celebrate Paula's courage and indefatigability.

(please don't try and say that after a few drinks, and if you do, don't come moaning to me afterwards!)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:56 AM

OK,
I'll try to make that sacrifice and have a small Guinness. (Sigh ....I love my country)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:14 AM

Paula,

We're depending on you!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:44 AM

Hi Paula

I think that as England are playing Ireland a pint of Guinness before your gig would be appropriate.....lol

Best of luck with your gig and if England lose I will blame you....lol

Regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 01:52 PM

We are playing at our village pub on Saturday night - after the rugby has been the main feature on the TV there during the day.Could be interesting!
I'm a bit worried, because tradition dictates that I have a pint of Guiness either during or before the match. The only times I have broken that tradition, England have lost. I don't drink when we have a gig............

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: mouldy
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 01:15 PM

No, unfortunately, but my daughter in law and I were supping coffee nearby when they arose wet and toned from the lagoon and walked right past us to the end of the path and put on their red shirts. Seriously nice butts on those guys!

They did get a streaker during the tournament who ran right through a game. That usually results in a lifetime ban from the Westpac. One of the most bizarre fancy dress get ups I saw was a Maori in Morris kit! I actually asked him if he was for real, it was that good. It wasn't till you got right close that you saw his home made badge, and that his bells were more like budgie bells! He really did look the part!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:50 AM

Were they skinny dipping Andrea!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: mouldy
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:34 AM

It's a bit of a side-step, but I've just had the pleasure of being in Wellington when the Sevens were on.
Highlight apart from the party atmosphere? Seeing the England team arising wet and glistening from a swim in the lagoon on the Waterfront! Pity they didn't get to the finals, though.

I've now got to play catch-up and get my brain back into the 6 Nations etc.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 02:41 PM

hi dave

I think that report missed out from Johnson's quote..." according to Dawson".

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 12:08 PM

According to today's Independent: "I never made any decisions either," said (Martin) Johnson, who led that side. "They were all made by Matt Dawson."

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 10:58 AM

hi dave

Yes I hope that Charlie gets a chance to show his club form. I have watched him play a few times this year and his form has been brilliant. Unfortunately the team has been poor by their own standards so Charlie's performances have not really been noticed.

I don't think he will play. He has been brought in as "reserve substitute" in case Johnny Wilkinson's " muscle tightness " turns out to be something more. Flood wil play if Wilkinson doesn't.

Whatever the media says about Wilko the fact is that he is still a matchwinner even though he maybe doesn't lead the line as well as he used to.

Mind you according to Matt Dawson ( today's Daily Express) Wilko never did lead the line, he - Dawson - did !!

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 09:32 AM

So Charlie Hodgson's back in the England squad. Hope he does well.

And Sexton's taken over the Irish number 10 jersey. Not surprising after last weekend's "seren y gem" performance.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Hrothgar
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 01:47 AM

Oops! Guest was me. Didn't realise my cookie had gone a-wandering.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 11:40 PM

At least Queensland beat Canterbury last night. First time since about 1998.

When they play in Brisbane in February, I'm glad I've retired.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 06:19 AM

Hi Dave

You are right about Wilkinson taking too much with the result of much injury during his career.

I agree about Hodgson too except that he didn't really perform in the Internationals as well as I had hoped.

Of course some of this was that he was instructed to play as Winkinson played and Hodgson is a completely different style of player.

While talking of Sale I see that Wales have brought Dwayne Peel back into the squad.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:51 AM

Hi Mike.

I always felt that one of Wilkinson's problems was that he tackled harder than his body could take, hence the injury problems. On the other hand I remember a certain South African stand-off who was reputed never to have made a tackle in his life.

Charlie Hodgson's main problem seemed to be that he wasn't Wilkinson, so he could have played fly-half in an England team with a 100% record for the next ten years, picking up man of the match award every game, and still not been accepted.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 09:49 AM

Hi dave

I live just over the border from Wales too !!!!

As for Johnny Wilkinson I agree that he had a poor game last week-end. It was reported afterwards that he was down with some virus but played anyway.

What a lot of people don't realise is that Johnny is played as much for his defefensive play as for his place kicking which as we know is World class by any definition.

Also he brings a stability and a sense of quiet authority which gives the team confidence.

We have tried several fly halves in the last few years, none of whom have looked suitable to replace a fully fit Wilkinson. Charlie Hodgson from Sale always looked in club rugby to be an obvious choice as an attacking fly half to get the England backs playing just never clicked in Internationals.

Cipriani looked promising but hasn't lived up to it on the field. Only this week Will Carling , who had offed to mentor Cipriani and spent six weeks with him, had to call it off saying that Cipriani doesn't have the necessary drive and belief to be an international fly half.

So while I have to agree that Johnny may not be the best attacking fly half in the six nations he is the best we have in England at the moment.

I believe it is the same with Chris Patterson nowadays with Scotland. He is there for his reliability with the boot and is not the best choice for a place these days if he wasn't probably the best kicker in the World.

He has been one of my favourite players over the years and had he played for another nation he would have been better recognised.
He is a wonderful servant to Scottish rugby and has helped them enormously by being able to play in almost any position outside the scrum. A wonderful ambassador for Scotland and for Rugby Union.

I am sad to hear that he is injured and may not play any further part in the Six Nations this year.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 06:52 AM

My predictions for the next 3 matches

England to beat Ireland in a very tough tight game.

France to beat Wales

Italy to beat Scotland by a single point.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 10:09 PM

Flannery Shmannery!

stompstompgrumblemoangripestampstomp ....

... a little black cloud has been following me around!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:22 PM

I've just been reading Martin Johnson's reaction to criticism of Jonny Wilkinson. There's nothing new about it. Back in 2003, the consensus was that he had a bad World Cup, and that it was Mike Catt who was the actual playmaker. Wilko wasn't much more than an NFL style kicker. I've had much more to say about other stand-offs, and if I'm wrong I'll apologize, but I think in this case Johno's in denial.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 05:33 PM

Living just over the border from Wales, I've got three games televised this weekend!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:19 AM

9 days to go to the next match Six Nations
This is 'refresh' number one!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 02:03 PM

I think Moody got the benefit of the doubt. Watching the replay, he was committed to going for the ball, and he had obviously realised what he had done, because he released the guy quickly.Not quite the Moody of old who semmed to play the game in a state of "red mist". He's actually become one of my favourite England players at the moment. He chases everything and is constantly rallying and encouraging his team mates. I hate the high tackle and any bringing down of a player in the air, but in this case I believe the ref made the right decision not to get out the yellow card.I would feel the same way if it had been an Italian player who had made the error.

I hope young Thom Evans makes a full recovery. He was having an immense game before he went off. A huge price to pay for playing a game.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 06:42 AM

Hi Nigel

I was only passing on the views of the pundits who discussed it on the radio.

It does seem to be a grey area though.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 06:14 AM

As for Moody's offence although you are right it could cause injury, according to the laws of the game is was not a sending off offence.

Pulling down a player who is in the air after he has caught the ball can always be penalised by a sending off. It is not a compulsory punishment, but it is suitable for dangerous play.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 05:55 AM

hi Paul

The Italians had been warned about deliberately holding on to the ball in the rucks. The referee had made it clear that the next offence would be sin-binned.

In fact Castrogiovanni committed THREE offences in tyhat ruck. He was offside, came in from the side and lay over the ball preventing the opposition from playing it. So I dopn't think he could have any complaints.

As for Moody's offence although you are right it could cause injury, according to the laws of the game is was not a sending off offence.

We saw from the Scotland game very graphically that serious injury can occur in apparently safe circumstances. I am pleased to see that Tom Evans is responding well to treatment and I wish him a speedy and total recovery.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 05:25 PM

Thugs

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Paul Burke
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 05:01 PM

There seems to be a strange set of priorities in refereeing. Castrogiovanni was sinbinned for a technical infringement, but Moody was merely penalised for taking out McLean, in the air, by the neck, which could have seriously injured him.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 04:16 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 05:53 PM

Going back to Jonathan Davies, he knows an awful lot about both codes of rugby (apart from the scrum) but can be very negative. I remember one match on Scrum V Live where he spent the first half pointing out all the mistakes, missed overlaps etc of the Welsh team, then at half time proclaimed they'd played a perfect game! Strange man.

Next up, we've got the well known banana skins in Rome. Hopefully Parks will keep up yesterday's form and reach his 50 caps, Godwin will develop into a world class player, and some youngsters will start to come through. I was never sure about Townsend at no 10. Sometimes it felt a bit like playing Russian Roulette with a single-barrelled shotgun!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 05:28 PM

Same old problem. You play a weak team and you under perform as did England today. You just do enough to win.

Bring the next one on. Come on England.

Sorry to hear about the Scottish player. I do hope he will be OK.

Good on yer Suzi :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 04:05 PM

France v Ireland - a poor mis-match

Bit harsh? A couple of moments of madness from us Irish rather gave the game away, so to speak?

A team which can deprive France of possession in the lineouts (which Ireland did, in general) AND limit their scrum/ruck control (which Ireland didn't) should be able to beat them - even in Paris.

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: oggie
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 03:58 PM

Scotland v Wales - a poor match but gripping
France v Ireland - a poor mis-match
Italy v England - A poor match, period!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: GUEST,suzi
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 02:43 PM

Im with the Villan on this one....come on England... I just luv rugby, union or league....cum on u u'll. x

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 01:47 PM

Hi paula

That is an understatement if ever I heard one !!!

Never mind it can only get better.........can't it??

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 01:45 PM

hi dave

I agree with your comments entirely.

England were ever so slightly the better of two very poor rugby sides.

I am glad that I did not have to pay to see this rubbish. I would rather watch my eight yar old grandson play for the school.

You are right England seemed totally bemused by the fact that they were on the pitch. Their tactics ( I think they were tactics) of kicking the ball right back to Italy when having been presented with the ball worries me.
What worries me more is that the tactics did not change after half-time.

Italy are a difficult team to play rugby against as they try to spoil all the time....that is not an excuse for England's sorry performance.

It was difficult to see where the problems stemmed fron because I can't remember one good performance from and England player.


The half-backs didn't look as they had ever played together before.

Jonathan Davies always thinks anyones' problems start at fly half. Mind you he was one of the best ever.

On this performance I can't see England beating anyone.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 12:52 PM

Phew! That was a bit close!

Not the most scintillating game today.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 11:36 AM

Interesting game from Rome. It's good to see Italy doing well (so long as they don't beat Scotland again. Jonathan Davies seems to think a lot of England's problems stem from fly-half. They were saying that Wilkinson hadn't missed a Six Nations kick since 2007 (?), but I'm trying to remember how much he's missed through injury.

England, though, played like an old-fashioned England team, ie stick a white shirt on and switch off your brain. At least you won.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 10:05 AM

And Patterson's out for 10 weeks with damaged kidneys!

At least the Italian national anthem's there to cheer us all up (or a bit of opera, as the commentary team described it).

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 06:22 AM

Is there any more room back there behind the sofa?

I may have to spend the rest of the tournament back there ...

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 05:47 AM

hi

I see that Tom Evans has a suspected broken neck. I know everyone will join me in wishing Tom a speedy and total recovery from this tragic accident.

It just shows how the fickle hand of fate is omni-present. This was not as a result of foul play but a freak accident.

Regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 03:14 PM

Great to see Les Tricoleurs back in the Six Nations. Les Bleus never really fitted in. And I noticed the French Knickers too!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 03:01 PM

Hi Nigel,

Yes, I understand that - although time had run out by the time they were ready to kick, and it doesn't stop me for really sympathising with the Scots. (I'm an England supporter). I agree that the kicker should have tried for touch (although it would have had to bounce in first) or perhaps kicked it very low at them and hoped they knocked on. That last one would have been risky though.

What a spectacle that game was! I have to admit that I switched off for much of France v Ireland. Spoilt eh?

Paula

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 02:33 PM

Paula T, I am not too sure about the "Extra time" at the end though. Sort of leaves a bitter taste somehow
What 'extra time'?
If the ball is out of play and time is still running, then it needs to be brought back into play. The Scots had to restart the game, but after that the first time the ball went out of play, time would be signalled. The restart kicker could have booted it straight for touch & settled for a draw. Possibly he thought that by kicing the ball normally at the restart his team might get up on it and get a last minute score. He obviously didn't expect the Welsh team to be able to make 70 yards & score.

But yes, it was a thrilling last ten minutes!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 02:29 PM

Hi

Just watched France v Ireland.....France played very well and deserved to win. This was not the Ireland we have come to know and love.

But once again as in the previous two matches the sin bin offence changed the match. I wasn't sure that this was a sin bin offence but then moments later Flannery should have been sent off !! So I guess honours were even on that score.

Fashion note -: Did anyone notice that one of the French team was wearing PINK underpants under his shorts ??? !!!   ooooooh la la

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 02:23 PM

hi Dave

No sweat mate.

Yea Godman didn't look sprightly at all.

Don't get rid of that sofa yet !!! When they play England I might be behind it with you....lol

Cheers

MikeL2