Six Nations

[RedBullNation]

US has a rugby team?

Exactly.

Seriously though, there are professional rugby players in America? How come there's never been any mention of it here?

[Fruitcake]

owenshooter wrote

wait? rugby? england? the same wussies that banned New Zealand from doing the Haka on the pitch before the match because half of enland's side wet themselves? england is actually good? who knew? when you start asking your opponents to not scare your side before a match, i think you automatically lose the "tough man" tag...-0

I wasn't quite like that owen....and if I thought you were being serious for one moment, I would argue that comment further. For the record, the facts are, some PC types thought the team sliding their fingers across their throats at the end of the dance was....well not PC. We ignored them, the IRC ignored them, the fans ignored them, the All Blacks ignored them. GOOD

If anyone watched Lawrence Dallaglio going nose to nose with the All Blacks Captain a few years ago while the team danced the Haka, you would know we have a simple attitude to Rugby.

"We aren't going anywhere, we are here any time you want to take us on."

And what happened at the last World Cup with those mighty All Blacks.....oh yes, less said huh.

Having said all that, it is a known fact that should the sleeping giant of Rugby that is the USA ever really woke up to the sheer beauty of one of the best contact sports there is, every other national team would have to look to their laurels. Bring it on I say, we are here.

BTW, Well done to the Eagles in the RWC last year, played some blinders.

For the record, I have actually experienced the game first hand:
(played 25 seasons from 8 to 33, injuries included: broken wrist, shoulder, collar bone, jaw (fighting, yes I ended up on my rear that time), multiple fractured ribs (just a bit of rubbing) knuckles (fighting, strap 'em up and get back out there son) hand (stamped) and disclocated knee.) Various small injuries(hamstring, groin etc)...would not have changed the whole experience for the world. Member of England RFU (also supporter of Wales/Ireland due to Wifes heritage)

I have a sneaky fancy for Wales to do some serious damage this 6 Nations...England seem bereft of leadership, Scotland are struggling, Ireland seem tired (except when they wake up!) France...well, France is France, nuff said. Italy...still getting there.

But I live in hope.

[Guiscard]

I have a sneaky fancy for Wales to do some serious damage this 6 Nations...

Me too, and good on them if they can play the sort of Rugby that gets them wins. The Welsh are, if anything, sloggers through and through. Will be watching the closing weekend with a good friend in Amsterdam, and he's a Welsh exile so it should be interesting to say the least.

[Guiscard]

Oh dear England. Oh dear.

That's what we said in the World Cup.

[Fruitcake]

Guiscard wrote

Will be watching the closing weekend with a good friend in Amsterdam, and he's a Welsh exile so it should be interesting to say the least.

That Wales/France match, might well be a Championship decider methinks...I should get off my derrier and toward the Millenium Stadium really.

[Fruitcake]

Napoleon Ier wrote:
Oh dear England. Oh dear.


That's what we said in the World Cup.

I didn't...I am proud to say. I told all who would listen (and there weren't many by the end of the mauling by the Boks) that we would still show them.

History might well be different if that try had been allowed....who knows...[/b]

[Guiscard]

This one really was a spectacularly melodramatic try!

[Fruitcake]

Great picture Guiscard.

Did you here old Brian getting really stressed towards the end. Never heard him get that bad before...I think the frustration at seeing talent not being focussed enough is getting to him.

I am losing faith in Ashton.

[Guiscard]

I am losing faith in Ashton.

I'm not so sure. I think he's a sensible guy, and that the long term prospects for the team are good. There are some great lads coming up, the new islander looks like he could be a force... I think he has the perseverence to see them through, perhaps with a re-jig among the other coaching staff...

[Fruitcake]

Guiscard wrote

I'm not so sure. I think he's a sensible guy, and that the long term prospects for the team are good. There are some great lads coming up, the new islander looks like he could be a force... I think he has the perseverence to see them through, perhaps with a re-jig among the other coaching staff...

I agree he is a sensible guy. I am just starting to get concerned that the culture of letting the team work things out for themselves on many areas does not really work.

As an ex forward, I can agree with Brian Moore. We tended to be slower, have a single purpose (pass the ball to a prop, what's the first thing he tends to do...find a member of the oppos and run straight at them) and we needed guidance. There is the rub for me....is he providing this.

Perhaps we need to introduce a few southern hemisphere types into the coaching staff...who knows...all I know is that apart from the sheer bloody mindedness the England team showed at the RWC, there was little direction.

I agree with you regarding Vainikolo. A great addition.

How do you get pictures into the posting?[/img]

[Guiscard]

Guiscard wrote

I'm not so sure. I think he's a sensible guy, and that the long term prospects for the team are good. There are some great lads coming up, the new islander looks like he could be a force... I think he has the perseverence to see them through, perhaps with a re-jig among the other coaching staff...

I agree he is a sensible guy. I am just starting to get concerned that the culture of letting the team work things out for themselves on many areas does not really work.

As an ex forward, I can agree with Brian Moore. We tended to be slower, have a single purpose (pass the ball to a prop, what's the first thing he tends to do...find a member of the oppos and run straight at them) and we needed guidance. There is the rub for me....is he providing this.

Perhaps we need to introduce a few southern hemisphere types into the coaching staff...who knows...all I know is that apart from the sheer bloody mindedness the England team showed at the RWC, there was little direction.

I agree with you regarding Vainikolo. A great addition.

How do you get pictures into the posting?[/img]

Perhaps you're right on the first count. Is that not why we have a specific forwards coach, though? Perhaps it's John Wells who isn't pushing hard enough, not Ashton.

Where did you play? I played through school at second row. If its of any interest I went to John Cleveland, where Dean Richards, Graham Rowntree and Ollie Smith were from. I was shit though.

[Fruitcake]

Guiscard wrote:

Where did you play? I played through school at second row. If its of any interest I went to John Cleveland, where Dean Richards, Graham Rowntree and Ollie Smith were from. I was shit though

John Cleveland is in the right part of the country that's for sure!!

Downside for me. Simon Halliday was 3 years my junior, went to Prep school with him as well.

In all honesty I was pretty shit as well, they just used me as an impact player because I didn't care about injury, or how my face looked...lol...of course in those days there was a place for guys like me, body checks, etc being commonplace. Nicky Lambert (a great big irish country lad, I stood well over 6' as a teenager but he dwarfed me) had a wonderful way of literally bouncing players into touch with his body! It used to really hurt when training with him.

I used to play no 7, started me as a No 6, but I was better at the breakaway supporting the no 8, I could run very fast over short distances as well.

[Fruitcake]

Well super Saturday has come round...8 hours of the best contact sport in the world (along with supporting programs) to entertain those of us who enjoy the game...and Old England up against Les Bleus in Paris...what's the betting the French come out like maniacs and try to break our spirit within the first quarter.

Come on England, we need a result from you now.

[Genghis Khant]

Prediction time. I think Wales will beat Italy by 8 points or less and Ireland will beat Scotland by at least 12 points. France are the most unpredictable team in the competition so it's a hard call to make, but they are playing at home and their newbies are starting to gel, and they've got class & experience out wide and on the bench, so I'd have to say they're the favourites. France to win by 5 points or less.

[Fruitcake]

Genghis Khant wrote

I think Wales will beat Italy by 8 points or less and Ireland will beat Scotland by at least 12 points. France are the most unpredictable team in the competition so it's a hard call to make, but they are playing at home and their newbies are starting to gel, and they've got class & experience out wide and on the bench, so I'd have to say they're the favourites. France to win by 5 points or less.

Great stuff Ghengis.

My spread prediction:

Wales to beat Italy by 15+ points
Ireland beat Scotland less than 10 points
England/France...I so wish England would get going...but I fear a terrible slaughter

[bellaraphon]

Ive been watching some of the games, and the results just are ridiculous. It would be very hard to bet on these games. European teams are world-cup form one week, and then crap the next.

[Fruitcake]

I see you are from Australia bellaraphon. As such, I am sure you will appreciate this picture of how an Australian Rugby player should meet an English player.


http://www.fmft.net/Lawrence%20Dallaglio%20%20Rugby%20World%20Cup%20England%20Australia.bmp

[Fruitcake]

For you guys out there, here are some rules I stick up on the Kitchen notice Board each year during the 6 nations tournament.

6 NATIONS TOURNAMENT RULES
DEAR WOMEN

1. During February and March, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the 6 Nations, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.

2. While any relevant programs, the television is mine, the VCR and DVD are all mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye).

3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I won't have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during this period of time.

4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor....it won't happen.

5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV at other times, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.

6. Please, please, please!! If you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say 'get over it, it's only a game', or 'don't worry, they'll win next time'. If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about rugby than me and your so called 'words of encouragement' will only lead to a break up or divorce.

7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying 'one' game, hence do not use the 6 Nations as a nice cheesy excuse to 'spend time together'.

8. The replays of the tries are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times, and record them.

9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.

10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game we will be there in a flash.

11. Any highlights show on TV is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying 'but you have already seen this...why don't you change the channel to something we can all watch??', the reply will be: 'Refer to Rule #2 of this list'.

12. Please save your expressions such as 'Thank goodness the 6 Nations is only once a year. I am immune to these words, because after this comes the reruns, roundups etc etc.

13. And finally, if you are female and your "man" likes rugby less than you, he is not a real man and shall be bound by these rules and additionally be referred to as "the bitch" for the duration of the 6 Nations

Thank you for your cooperation.

[Skittles!]

I forgot who plays in the 6 nations.

Fruitcake, don't make me laugh.

[Genghis Khant]

I forgot who plays in the 6 nations.

The Taffs, the Paddys, the Jocks, the Wops, the Frogs & the Scum.

[Skittles!]

I forgot who plays in the 6 nations.

The Taffs, the Paddys, the Jocks, the Wops, the Frogs & the Scum.

I hope France wins then! They play Rugby like any Rugby game should be played.

Going for Tries, not kicking like pansies.

[bellaraphon]

fruitcake, a wallaby can only meet a english player when he is breaking through their pathetic tackle attempt:



In your picture, wasn't the english player helping the wallaby up. This is what you normally do to the more respected team/player isn't it?

A question, I am guessing you are from England, do you know about the "barmy army."

[Fruitcake]

Genghis Khant wrote

The Taffs, the Paddys, the Jocks, the Wops, the Frogs & the Scum.

LOL...errr...we banished all the criminals and scum back in the 19th Centruy to err....where was it...oh yes...Australia. You guys really need to lighten up about having a hate on towards others, it really shows you up...and you really need to learn how to take a joke.

[Audax]

Very funny everyone.

People let's not turn a perfectly good rugby thread into a flame war.

For the record you Aussies. England has a huge respect for you as a people, as fighters, as nation builders and as RUGBY PLAYERS.

Who is it we can always rely one when the chips are down...you.
Who is it we can always rely on to be welcoming and show us all how to hold a tourno...you
Who are among the hardest on the planet...you

If a joke pic is put up (and it was funny) then people, just take it as a joke. Jeeeze, we English get in the neck everywhere...do we care? no. We even take the piss out of ourselves.

As Fruit says...lighten up.

[Audax]

Fruitcake wrote

Wales to beat Italy by 15+ points

A little birdie tells me you have 'had it off' with the bookies and the exchanges playing the handicap market Fruit.