well THM and CFH, I had stopped, but AA could not resist another dig. I don't see why I should roll over and take it.
so I am supposed to accept you making up things about me even when they are pretty much the opposite of what I have said. I can only think you mind creates these things based on your own prejudice. Please dont try and paint a picture of me as an anti english bigot. I find that offensive.
When I say Wilkinson is a very good player and you bang on about me thinking he's shit I feel like you are trying to make me out to be something I'm not.
Look you have misunderstood me, I was trying to join in with what I thought was your banter.
Before you mentioned Wilko you you [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/201314-rugby-thread/page/29#post-5514132 ]said[/url] in response to others criticsim of Sexton:
But has he scored a try against england? If not he has failed to deliver!
Which to me (and my prejudiced mind) looked like a bit of low level banter aimed at me. So far so good.
Nobody responded to your witticism so 3 posts later you tried [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/201314-rugby-thread/page/29#post-5514163 ]again.[/url]
My prejudiced mind responded in kind a few times [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/201314-rugby-thread/page/29#post-5514186 ]here, [/url] and later on.
as did [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/201314-rugby-thread/page/29#post-5514251 ]Blindmelon[/url] and [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/201314-rugby-thread/page/29#post-5514284 ]duckman[/url], who took it a bit further.
My responses were good natured. As was my response to you
, this can only be seen as a joke, in line with yours. You postulated the notion that Wilko had not scored against England (which was ridiculous as he is English, which was funny by any measure) and I responded with the equally ridiculous notion that because he had not, then he must be crap (you did him down slightly, so for the sake of the joke I used artistic licence and extended it). This was not my prejudice, it was my attempt to respond well to the banter, and try and keep the arguing down.No, Wilko did not, and even you think he is crap QED.
So if you take the time to read this you will see my intention was different. Call it the Edinburgh defence, but I was just responding to a joke with another joke.
So I will apologise. [b]I am sorry[/b]. It was not my intention, so if I made you feel that I was trying to make out you were something you are not then that is my mistake.
Toys chapeau, good man.
AA please lets draw a line under this, this thread is such good value.
One of the reasons that england is so unpopular (for me at least), to listen to the media you would think that tomorrows game against the All Blacks is akin to a world cup final. All Blacks out for revenge, england pack to dominate, Carter to wear gold boots pah who does he think he is, bloody upstart. england for the win as thay have the psychological edge after giving them such a thrashing las year.
I havent heard anything about the other home nationas at all.
I havent heard anything about the other home nationas at all.
Caveat-I'm not defending it, just attempting to understand/explain:
This is down to a London/England centric media right? The media just respond to demographic, there are 53.5 million people in England, 5.3 million in Scotland, 3.1 million in Wales and 1.8 million in Northern Ireland. (Sorry Eire, cant find yours, I think its about 4 million, which makes 6 million Oirish). I expect this drives national news content.
I would say I cannot find anywhere that says they expect England to win, apart from the players and coaches. Which to be honest would be very disappointing if the players went on the pitch expecting to lose, they at least have to have the will to win.
BTW-upsets happen, who saw England's win against NZ last year coming? England were utter shite up to that day, and on the day they looked excellent. I do not expect lightening to strike twice, but it is an amusing fantasy.
Toys no need to explain I understand the demographics of it all but it is the British Broadcasting Corporation not the england broadcasting corporation 😆 I am a stranger in a strange land 😉
I wouldnt be surprised for another upset but I am crossing everything for the All Blacks to dish out a humbling with Lawes to get red carded, Ashton to be so embarrassed by his inept performance he voluntarily walks off the pitch and doesnt stop walking untill he reaches the sea, then carries on and Hartley to realise his error of turning his back on the country of his birth picks up the ball and carries it 40yds and scores an own try (if only that was allowed)that is what I want to happen on Saturday 😉
If Hartley scores against England that would make him world class in my eyes.
(PS every time I see Lawes on the pitch I expect a red card, but apparently he has mended his ways.. Hmmm)
Whilst we are on the subject who are your biggest penalty magnets, past and present?
I mean when they appear on your team sheet you just think oh bugger..
I go for:
Lawes
Hartley
Moody
And I forecast:
Farrel.
Richie McCaw (almost any AB in fact) but some how the refs never see them.
Yeah that's the opposite definition, Richie McCaw is a penalty repulser.
(PS every time I see Lawes on the pitch I expect a red card, but apparently he has mended his ways.. Hmmm)
Agreed. He does, however, appear to have got his head together a bit more recently. He certainly was a bit of a liability before. I'd be interested to see him play at 7, though. As a real 'trouble maker' in the Jean-Pierre Rives or Finn Calder. But with more pace. And less hair.
And I forecast:Farrel.
He certainly does seem to have a temper on him!
How has Matt Stevens avoided mention? Every time I see him waddling onto the pitch I think "oh please no"
Whilst we are on the subject who are your biggest penalty magnets, past and present?
The Claw Peter Clohessy and DOC.
Edit - The nightclub attached to Clohessy's bar in Limerick is called The Sin Bin, well named in so many ways.
Lawes has just taken on Grewcock's roll.
For a while it was Ryan Jones for Wales. He'd have a fantastic 10 mins, a bit of magic, set up a scoring opportunity, then back in his own half give away 2 or 3 penalties to let the oppo score.
AWJ too.
Taken from sky sports:
""I'm ready to score when everyone else is ready to put me in the opportunity," said Ashton"
Is it me or does that read like it's been spoken by an arrogant twunt?
Finley Calder is one of the dirtiest buggers I ever played against,but not as bad as his brother Jim who also got a few caps.Actually a few of them were very good adverts for pro teams,you didn't have to play against internationals in club games anymore and try to walk on a Sunday. While Fin is well remembered for the chasing of an up and under onto the Irish 15 in the WC quarter in,91? He earns extra points for being sacked as Stu Mel coach for spending half time commenting not on the hammering they were getting,but instead discussing how well upholstered a female spectator was.
Notice good example for any aspiring skipper,knocks somebody sparko and berates the ref for making him do it. 😆
Kwality scottish kiss there. That gave me strange pleasures to watch..
It's you 😉
There is far too much over analysis these days. As an Englishman, I am used to listening to oodles of chippy crap directed our way. But what is the latest attack of the All Blacks all about. So they write on a whiteboard that they are the most dominant team in the world. And this same arrogant accusation crops up. What a crock.
First, it is true. Second, even if it wasnt there is no harm in writing that for "internal" use. Pro sport is largely decided between the ears. The AB, Ashton and anyone else would be able to write, say, think whatever it takes to make them mentally ready. For the rest, "sticks and stones......" or stopping being over sensitive bunnies. This is rugby after all 😉
We'll I agree in principle. But the way I read it was than the feels he's a divine right to score but his colleagues need to put him in that position., not so much focused on him making an effort. Which in the game of rugby is true, but then again I always applied myself as os centre to look for work in disorganised play, with one eye on positioning. I
Or that he is blaming the others for a lack of decent ball? Which may be a fair point but he has been in the wrong place at the wrong time a fair bit too..
Anyway if that is what he means he ought not have said it.
I think Ashton has bigger things to worry about, like "why do I hate tackling so much?"
But that wouldn't do too much for his currently lack of confidence! Time for a rest from 1XV IMO. You either pick on form or youf dont. And Ashton is not in form (and he can't tackle - did I mention that?)
In the past, he certainly went looking for the ball (possibly too much?) but isn't that all due to confidence again?
Last year I was watching my son play at school and trying not to see the scores, Then had a quick look and watched us go into the early lead. Having a cup of tea after the match, the AB had just scored quickly and it was a case of , "here we go." Fortunately didn't look again and so could watch the recording and enjoy it all the more.
I expect a return to normality this year and to get a bit if a 2H whipping. Our backs simply aren't up to scratch at the moment to beat the best in the world. But we can dream....
teamhurtmore - MemberBut we can dream....
Or feed the ABs dodgy prawns.
Again.
🙂
We leave that stuff to the bokkas, IJ !!!! (allegedly) they do it better and at more important times!!!
(but I had forgottent that story)
teamhurtmore - Member
I think Ashton has bigger things to worry about, like "why do I hate tackling so much?"
He's about to find out. I've got £5 with anyone that Nonu goes straight through 10/12/13 at least twice. I'd have £10 that one of those break will lead to a try as Ashton gets sucked in/falls off a tackle.
Oh god, I'm just going to start the inconsolable drinking now..
Ashton plays 14 does he not, so lining up opposite Mr J Savea 😀
Surely the ABs will be looking to give Ashton some much needed tackle practice
As for penalty machines....I'd go for Phil Vickery 2006 sort era and Matthew Stevens for his entire career as the worst in my memory! Vickery especially... be it the scrum or in open play was an absolute machine!
Jim Hamilton has to be up there in the current crop!
ijs445ra - Member
Ashton plays 14 does he not, so lining up opposite Mr J SaveaSurely the ABs will be looking to give Ashton some much needed tackle practice
Ashton will be drawn inside him, and he'll be left to Brown. I think they'll run at the centres, knowing that they'll break the line and/or Ashton will be drawn in to create acres of space. Then they'll be at least 2 AB's running past Ashton at Brown.
IMO, this game could be drawn or lost by Wood/Vunipola/Robshaw/Launchbury/Lawes playing out of thier skins.
Jim Hamilton has to be up there in the current crop!
I ****ing love Jim Hamilton. Exactly what a lock should be.
The ABs will be running at the centres all afternoon. They are far too shrewd to miss the weakest link. I reckon Nonu will get a lot of good footage for his highlight reel.
Just read the article about the All Blacks white board, one of the most insightful phrases into their motivation was - "We are playing England – this is about history, about human nature."
Hamilton tends to go straight for a 10 min rest so he can only do that once a game,so I feel you are being overly critical. He has a wee girl,can you imagine being the poor sod who knocks on that front door in 15 years 😀
Savea; 6"4" and a hair under 17 stone. Was Ashton playing last year because Savea scored two tries.
As for penalty machines BM is right about the Claw and DOC but could have added in any of 6 or 7 other Munster forwards over the last 12 years especially Alan Quinlan. I
Toys; the landlord thread has finally convinced me you and Zokes aren't the same person 8)
Oh and if you ever need a plasterer for this Aberdeen property empire...
That's "Big" Jim Hamilton, thankyouverymuch.
Penalty magnet I give you Peter Rogers 😆
You'd think 'Big' was his christened name. In fact I think he's actually a unit.
Another penalty magnet vote - James Haskell
That's "Big" Jim Hamilton, thankyouverymuch.
Schoolboy error, apologies CFH.
Ducky, bloody zokes, I have had his back umpteen times, is there no loyalty!
My empire is down south, but I will remind you to my ABZ mates who are all burgeouing capitalist scum.
I forgot about Haskell, he defo made me worried every time he stepped on the field. He is apparently trying to get back into the england set up for '15.
one of the most insightful phrases into their motivation
The worst thing is to let the opposition know that you fear/respect them.
Yep Haskell is too but for all the wrong reasons....he just doesn't seem to have a clue what he's doing!
Rhys Priestland at centre of tug-of-war as Clermont and Gloucester target Scarlets and Wales outside-half
14 Nov 2013 06:00
oh ffs!
surely even rhys' decision making couldnt be so bad he'd pick Glaws?
I do think an Wales exiles 15 would be a good match for a domestic international 15. Perhaps the exiles may lack a bit in the forwards, certainly nothing lacking in the backs.
Welsh internationals playing (or soon to play) outside the Rabodirect Pro 12? Not all integral to the current squad but not a bad bunch to pick from! With a lot of contracts up at the end of the season the WRU need to get their stuff together!
[u]Back 3:[/u] Tom James/ George North/ Lee Byrne/ Aled Brew
[u]Centres:[/u] (Jon Davies)/ Jamie Roberts/ Gavin Henson
[u]9:[/u] Mike Phillips/ Tavis Knoyle/ Martin Roberts
[u]10:[/u] James Hook/ (Rhs Priestland)
[u]Front row:[/u] Paul James/ Marc Jones/ Craig Mitchell/ John Yapp/ Rhys Gill/ Gethin Jenkins
[u]Second Row:[/u] Dom Day/ Luke Charteris
[u]Back Row:[/u] Dan Lydiate/ Gareth Delve/ Jonathan Thomas
Gethin is back at the Blues but yes not a bad team. Fat git at Sale Lewis-Roberts to replace him on the bench (providing its been reinforced).
Need a Hooker.... Did Bennett retire in the end?
Good point on Gethin, don't know how I missed that. Perhaps it was all the talk from the Wales camp that he has lost 5kg since joining the squad and I instantly assumed if was the Top 14's fault 😀
Lewis-Roberts can play where he wants I wouldn't argue with him 😀 Suppose you could technically also put Andy Powell in on the action too in an Exiles squad having joined Wigan.
I think not letting any Hookers leave Wales must be the RFU's masterplan to ensure a Wales exiles 15 can't exist 😆 I can't think of any and Bennett has retired as far as I know
Some more international 10's in England: Ceri Sweeney and Nicky Robinson
Closest Hooker I can find is Dan George at Glaws although he only represented Wales at age grade...
Nevertheless it does seem to be a very Welsh problem for club rugby to keep their top players. Presumably the Rabo is a not particularly wealthy league to start with which doesn't help, the Scots have fewer teams for the Union to not have to spread pennies so thinly and do the Irish take home more of their earnings? If not then how do the Irish clubs hold their key players (Sexton excluded)?
The flip side of that coin is that clubs lose their stars then they have to develop talent and give them a go.
Irish get good crowds too but the tax relief is a big thing.
Ceri Sweeney dear God, sad thing is he has more international caps than Henson 🙁
