17 Sep 07
Originally posted by eagles54You can't go wrong adopting New Zealand as 'your' team.
Thanks Ragnorak, Buffalo Bill, Crowley, for taking the time and effort to clarify some of the finer points of the game for me. I'll refer back here when the inevitable questions pop up.
It's really too bad that the US' best athletes will always go into other sports. I guess I'll have to cheer on another nation at the top level. Hmmm...who should I choos ...[text shortened]... vertabrae so I'd better just watch from the sidelines. lol
I need a team to follow!
They will lose the odd game (hopefully against SA!), but overall, they are just the best rugby team right now and have been for decades.
They are always innovating and have very talented, confident players, with great depth.
Watch as many of their games as you can, because they will usualy show you a great game, and sometimes, will play an absolutely perfet game.
17 Sep 07
Originally posted by eagles54Take up refereeing!
Thanks Ragnorak, Buffalo Bill, Crowley, for taking the time and effort to clarify some of the finer points of the game for me. I'll refer back here when the inevitable questions pop up.
It's really too bad that the US' best athletes will always go into other sports. I guess I'll have to cheer on another nation at the top level. Hmmm...who should I choos ...[text shortened]... vertabrae so I'd better just watch from the sidelines. lol
I need a team to follow!
As for which team to support, watch a while and pick the team whose style you like. Of course, NZ are the best but follow your gut. Naturally, whichever team wins the cup, that country's press and supporters will be insufferable for the next four years.
17 Sep 07
Originally posted by SentaI have a theory that the US fight wars as if they were games of football. That it's had an affect on the military psyche, as it were - you line up that side, we line up this, and then let's start. Which is fine for Desert Storm but less effective in Vietnam or Iraq where the opponents are less sporting.
One of my best friends played rugby for 2 years for a club in Texas after school. His verdict was that the US could become an amazingly strong rugby force if rugby were a bit more publicized in the US.
The problem is that in american football you play the man more than the ball, but in rugby you get penalised for that.
It's really nice to finally see an american who don't describe rugby players as wussies.
It's just a theory, though.
17 Sep 07
Originally posted by CrowleyAgreed.
You can't go wrong adopting New Zealand as 'your' team.
They will lose the odd game (hopefully against SA!), but overall, they are just the best rugby team right now and have been for decades.
They are always innovating and have very talented, confident players, with great depth.
Watch as many of their games as you can, because they will usualy show you a great game, and sometimes, will play an absolutely perfet game.
D
17 Sep 07
Originally posted by SentaI don't think he can ever fit into a positional role.
Am i the only one who rate Sebastien Chabal as the most overrated player ever to set foot on a rugby field?
As a lock he would never be a Victor Matfield, and as a loose he would never be a Richie Mcaw. So what's the fuss about?
He's definitely one of the best 'impact players' ever - he's not there because he takes some lineout balls or any other specialised role - he has a definite Jonah Lomu feel about him. He is marked and creates gaps for other players.
Now he just needs to learn to pass the ball to te player running into the gap...
18 Sep 07
Originally posted by CrowleyThe reason he is used as an impact player is because his fellow eammates play better rugby than him and therfor their coach uses them in the starting line.
I don't think he can ever fit into a positional role.
He's definitely one of the best 'impact players' ever - he's not there because he takes some lineout balls or any other specialised role - he has a definite Jonah Lomu feel about him. He is marked and creates gaps for other players.
Now he just needs to learn to pass the ball to te player running into the gap...
He started against Namibia as lock, and i weren't impressed.
19 Sep 07
Originally posted by SentaI don’t think Chabal is playing his best position at lock, he's a number 8 and is a great number 8. His second try against Namibia was awesome, over 50 yard run, a guy that big (and he is huge, he stood next to us at the millennium stadium a few weeks back, I’m not little but this guy has an awesome presence about him), anyway, a guy that big with his pace, and the power! like I said his second try was an awesome try. I rate the guy, I think he’s a great ball carrier and never shy’s away from tackling, and his work rate is great.
The reason he is used as an impact player is because his fellow eammates play better rugby than him and therfor their coach uses them in the starting line.
He started against Namibia as lock, and i weren't impressed.
20 Sep 07
Originally posted by 1WhiteKnightA player on the world stage cannot claim to be brilliant based on his performance against an amateur team like Namibia.
I don’t think Chabal is playing his best position at lock, he's a number 8 and is a great number 8. His second try against Namibia was awesome, over 50 yard run, a guy that big (and he is huge, he stood next to us at the millennium stadium a few weeks back, I’m not little but this guy has an awesome presence about him), anyway, a guy that big with his p ...[text shortened]... think he’s a great ball carrier and never shy’s away from tackling, and his work rate is great.
20 Sep 07
Originally posted by Sentaperhaps not, I wasn't claiming that. I've seen him play a couple of times this year, including the semis of the EDF for Sale, each time I've been impressed. I'll say if he does get to play number 8 on Friday he will have a great game against the Irish.
A player on the world stage cannot claim to be brilliant based on his performance against an amateur team like Namibia.
20 Sep 07
Some SA rugby humour (a tokoloshe is the monster under the bed at night - rural South Africans are scared of them and lift their beds with bricks):
Schalk Burger is so tough that:
When he does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up; he's pushing the earth down.
When the tokoloshe goes to sleep, he checks under his bed for Schalk Burger.
Schalk Burger counted to infinity - twice.
Schalk Burger made all colours. Except pink. Percy Montgomery made pink.
Schalk Burger gave Mona Lisa that smile.
Schalk Burger can speak Braille.
Schalk Burger's tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Ever.
Superman owns a pair of Schalk Burger pyjamas.
Schalk Burger sleeps with a night light. Not because he is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of Schalk Burger.
Once a cobra bit Schalk Burger's leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.
Schalk Burger doesn't use pickup lines, he simply says: "Now."
Schalk Burger sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled rugby ability. Then he spear-tackled the devil and took his soul back. The devil couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
21 Sep 07
Originally posted by CrowleyI'm not rying to take away anything from Namibia.; I allso think them a great team. But they are certainly not in the same league as the top teams in the world at this stage. And as for Ireland- at the moment they are one of those teams that's a bit dissapointing at this world cup. Before the tournament i would have thought that they will do a lot better.
Ha! Namibia may be an amateur team, but they sure showed the Irish a thing or two...
21 Sep 07
Originally posted by 1WhiteKnightThey've been saying he has gambling debts of £250k. I reckon the French will tonk 'em. 31-17
Anyone know what the Irish are getting all bent out of shape about, ie what did the french papers say about O'Gara?
Big game tonight, you gotta fancy the French....
21 Sep 07
Originally posted by Angry Boygambling, is that it? The way the Irish were going on made it sound like he had ravaged a women he shouldnt have or been seen snogging a bloke or something!
They've been saying he has gambling debts of £250k. I reckon the French will tonk 'em. 31-17
31-17 to France, reckon your not far wrong with that score 😉