Forum Rugby Club - new season, new thread
Posted by: JWM on 03 September 2008
Well boys, new season about to start. But let's think already about the end...
Just to keep you boys keen, let's pretend for a moment it might not be another Tigers v Wasps final, let's pretend that anyone could be in it, even Glaws...
Before long we'll have the chance to book ahead for seats (whoever's in the final). Forum Rugby Club day out at Twickers? Hifi morning. Beer. Rugby (a whole row together, around the half way line). More beer. Pie. (Or perhaps a corporate tailgate party? Mark?). More beer.
There's potential in this...
James
Posted on: 12 October 2008 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
A bit squeaky bum for Tigers at the end there!
A win's a win. But I do agree that Tigers have been looking shaky in second halfs, and just need to tighten up. They are still quite new as a squad, with a new coach, and doing well, if not yet quite as strongly as we have come to expect. Just a bit more practice...
By the way, how are those Wasps doing?
Posted on: 12 October 2008 by Chillkram
Posted on: 17 October 2008 by fentontfox
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
And Bath should have closed that game out against Toulouse. They had the lead and possession with 15 seconds left, gave the ball away and allowed Toulouse to win with a last-kick-of-the-game penalty.
That could come back to haunt Bath as they face the Dragons on sunday ,who are blowing hot at the moment on the back of an unprecedented 4 match winning roll.
The unfancied men of Gwent could well spring a surprise and turn Bath over at the rec on the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then i woke up.
Posted on: 19 October 2008 by fentontfox
A bonus point away at the rec and still a plus points difference after 2 games ,i think most dragons fans would have to be pleased with that if they are honest with themselves.
Maybe after the last 2 weeks results even the most myopic GP fans have got to see the gap between the top sides at least in the magners and the GP in terms of ability are definitely closing if not on a par.
A clearer picture will undoubtedly reveal itself over the coming months but what the hell the more competitive the teams the better the competetition both visually and for the benefit of northern hemisphere rugby in the global scope of things.
Posted on: 19 October 2008 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by fentontfox:
Maybe after the last 2 weeks results even the most myopic GP fans have got to see the gap between the top sides at least in the magners and the GP in terms of ability are definitely closing if not on a par.
I think this has been the case for some while. The only difference, I think, is that the GP has more teams of high quality.
Posted on: 25 October 2008 by Chillkram
Well. We won again last night. It's becoming a habit!
Posted on: 30 October 2008 by Chillkram
So Borthwick is the new England captain, eh?
Posted on: 01 November 2008 by antony d
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
So Borthwick is the new England captain, eh?
Yes but I can't see this being for the long term - we need someone who can take over the Johnson crown ready for the next world cup - I really hope we can give a good account during November - Australia NZ and SA should tell us where we are in world terms
I am coming down for the Australia game which should be a good one!!
On a Tigers note we beat Sale 30 -20 at Welford Rd last night - Tigers fought back after a couple of very basic errors - Craig Newby played well for first game and great to see Lewis Moody back where he belong! in the thick of it!!
Mark - went to Joe Worsley's dinner on Thursday night at the new Rose Suite - great night had by all - Hate to say it but joe is a really nice guy and well supported on evening by a number of "legends" in the game - My head hurt most of yesterday though
Posted on: 01 November 2008 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by antony d:
Mark - went to Joe Worsley's dinner on Thursday night at the new Rose Suite - great night had by all - Hate to say it but joe is a really nice guy
He is. I was at Dallaglio's retirement party a few months back and met him amongst other Wasps.
They are all decent fellows.
One of the chaps I was with was relentlessly hunting autographs and was approaching all of the players in the bar.
Standing next to us at the bar and casting interested looks at his autograph book was England prop Tim Payne. The chap I was with didn't recognise him and Tim went ignored for about an half an hour, still looking wistfully at the guy's book.
Eventually I gave in and told my companion who he was.
I don't know which of them was happier!
Posted on: 08 November 2008 by Chillkram
Decent performance from England today, I saw enough to be encouraged.
There were a few mistakes but that is to be expected from a new team. I thought the back threee looked as exciting as any in the world and if we can ensure thay get quick ball, they will give any defence problems.
Best performances today were from Delon Armitage (what a debut - we have found a new Billy Whizz!), Lee Mears, Danny Care and Nick Kennedy.
The next three games will be more of a challenge and, in all honesty, I don't expect them to win any of them but it will be a great learning curve for the youngsters.
So fat so good, Johnno!
Posted on: 09 November 2008 by JamieWednesday
I agree, far from perfect but the forwards played well and the pace and movement of the backs is bloody exciting for the future!!!!
Sackey, Monye and Care all played very well - Armitage was a revelation.
Posted on: 09 November 2008 by JWM
Didn't see it
Posted on: 10 November 2008 by antony d
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
The next three games will be more of a challenge and, in all honesty, I don't expect them to win any of them but it will be a great learning curve for the youngsters.
So fat so good, Johnno!
Posted on: 10 November 2008 by antony d
Sorry pressed send button to early
Agree England have the making of a very good side - I don't think Bothwick is the best leader but if he can get the team to build confidence over the next yeat or so - we not only need a general ala Jonno -Delalalayoo we need some second captains in the team to control backs - surely this is made for Ciprani -
3 players to contol nuture and develop the team -
I am going to Australia match - I think we might have the Oussies if we take the confidence forward - Springboks and All Blacks = different matter - GO ENGLAND!
Posted on: 10 November 2008 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
So fat so good, Johnno!
Just saw my typo. I wasn't suggesting anything about how you have spent the last 5 years since retiring from International rugby, Johnno - honest guv!
I agree Antony. Finding leaders all over the pitch will be key. Cipriani has the makings. We need some forwards to step up to the plate as well. I like the look of Croft and Lee Mears.
Mark
Posted on: 15 November 2008 by u77033103172058601
I think I will just have a huge laugh, particularly after hearing Dallaglio's comments before the match. Still, just what you would expect from a former Wasps player.
Posted on: 15 November 2008 by Chillkram
Not much today that was unexpected. I thought there was much in today's performance from England that was encouraging. Of course they were horribly naive and gave away too many penalties in the wrong areas and didn't quite have the nous to finish off the moves they put together.
The Aussie defence was excellent and kept England out for much of the game.
In fact I thought it was almost as if the England and Australian teams of the early 2000's had been switched. The Australian game was based on sound defence, solid set-pieces and kicking for territory then putting pressure on at the breakdown to force penalties. Then up steps the proficient kicker to convert the opportunities.
England on the other hand had the weak scrum, over-powered forwards and talented backs that were wrapped up by the opposition defence!
Anyway, I think there were enough good signs in England's play to think they have made progress from the dour game that the Robinson and Ashton eras produced.
Posted on: 15 November 2008 by Chillkram
And the Ireland v New Zealand gane was one of the worst matches I have seen for a long time involving a Southern Hemisphere team. They were both awful.
Posted on: 16 November 2008 by antony d
Anyway, I think there were enough good signs in England's play to think they have made progress from the dour game that the Robinson and Ashton eras produced.[/QUOTE]
Agree - I think there are signs that Johnson is getting the team together - two big disapointments for me Ciprani - he had a really bad game -OK two very good runs apart from that nothing! - he needs to up his game - tackles and think - otherwise Johnson should consider dropping him - the other and more important role is Captain - Borthwick ain't got it - and yesterday proved more than ever we need a strong leader on pitch -
On the positives Armitage little nervy - but proved he can be a great full back
Australia had disaplin strength and more comitment they were by far the better side on day
For me is was 3-0 England Lost - Bath nicked it from L-ster in ingury time - and to cap it all my sons team lost also!
And yes my numbers did not come up last night either!!
BUT ALL SHALL RETURN
Posted on: 22 November 2008 by JWM
Well, a tough one today for Leicester, with all those on international duty (yeh, yeh, albeit not starting) and injuries, vs Quins,
But also New Zealand international Scott Hamilton will make his debut for the Tigers.
Hopefully the boys will enjoy the day out again. And if we go early enough I get to pop into Cymbiosis as well...
Posted on: 22 November 2008 by u77033103172058601
Oh, what a perfect day. Wake up to news of a Gloucester win and then England and Wales both get crushed out of existence. I shall go to sleep a very happy person tonight.
But, damn damn and damn Leicester won.
Posted on: 22 November 2008 by Chillkram
Bit of a humiliation for England today and yet I still think they are on track. I thought Johnno was pretty cool under some fairly impertinent questioning from the Sky reporter.
He is right to stick with his team as consistency of selection is the way to build teamwork and understanding. The fluency will come. I must admit though that it is time to forget about Vickery and Borthwick as they are no longer test standard players in my opinion.
England should not be too despondent, after all they went to Australia in 98 with a young Johnny Wilkinson and got slaughtered 76-0. Also, this SA team beat Australia by 50 points earlier in the year and won in NZ.
This is still early days.
Mark
Posted on: 22 November 2008 by JWM
An almost crushing victory by Tigers over Quins. The whole of the first half, and much of the second, was an absolutely superb display of cohesive, connected rugby football. But there were some attacking and defensive problems by Tigers in the second half though, particularly, I thought, in the mid-field and line outs.
Sailing out to 27 points, Tigers limited Quins to 9 points from 3 penalties for most of the game, until a particularly sloppy piece of defending resulted in a Quins try by their replacement hooker (Chris Brooker), who lumbered several metres and across the line almost unchallenged.
After seizing the game by the scruff of the neck from the first kick-off (first Tigers' try after 76 seconds), it was a bit disappointing that Tigers didn't push on through for the 4-try bonus point. But hey, a win's a win. That's the main thing.
Scott Hamilton played an absolute blinder of a debut, with only one (half)error as far as I saw. In a generally good performance by pretty much the whole team, Murphy, Hougaard and Dupuy also really stood out for Tigers today.
Quins' fullback (Mike Brown) and scrum half (Junior Polu) need to grow up a bit from some fairly childish little antics. They're likely to find themselves yellow-carded quite often if they keep cheating and then arguing with the ref in the way they did today.
How are Wasps doing this season, Mark? I go dizzy if I look that far down the Table.
James
Posted on: 22 November 2008 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by JWM:
How are Wasps doing this season, Mark? I go dizzy if I look that far down the Table.
Posted on: 24 November 2008 by antony d
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
quote:
Originally posted by JWM:
How are Wasps doing this season, Mark? I go dizzy if I look that far down the Table.
CHEEY!
I would not like to be stung by a wasp there!
Are you still working on the "we got off to a bad start in 2006/7??
Could not get to the Tigers on Sat - James report was great! - at least some good news on Saturday - I think I would prefet to be Alistair Darling than Martin Johnson at present - one BIG headace
