Posts by Paul Rowe
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
When they fire that fuckwit Deaker they should give his job to Inky.
-
Frankly, I'd take a team and a coach with a 90% winning record over four years like we have rather than a team that plays average rugby for years then picks itself up for one knockout game. But that's just me.
So we lost? Oh well, this team has already won a grand slam and thrashed the Lions - they are a good team and they have (had) a good coach. I predict the ABs will win 80%+ over the next four years as well, and I'll love it. The 2011 RWC can wait till then!
-
I'd rather not see Deans appointed the new coach (Ben Blair anyone?), but there is an argument for some new blood.
To anybody suggesting Gatland - Go the Mighty Magpies! (my one piece of great news at the weekend!)
-
The French translated the haka, which seems weird. I can't imagine most NZers could give a reasonable translation of Ka Mate, indeed a fair number couldn't tell you anything about what it means and its history.
When I worked at the NZ High Commission in London, I got regular requests for a translation of the words to Ka Mate. Needless to say the words are pretty underwhelming in English, as is the back story (Te Rauparaha hiding from his pursuers). Like our National Anthem, it is *much* better in Maori.
-
I'd be bloody surprised if he's not starting for the rest of the tournament ahead of one of Joe or Sivi.
Assuming there is a "rest of the tournament" of course....
If there is a game after Sunday this will prove to have been a "horses for courses" selection. Mauger back at 12 to face the Aussies and Howlett back on the wing. I imagine Jack for Williams and Mealamu for Oliver as well.
Assuming the Aussies win, of course. This from a mate in England:
I'm not nervous about England. Things can either go how they are expected, or England will win
Oh, and Free Sione!
-
Mils is our best fullback and our best centre! I like Evans but, like Mauger at 2nd 5, McDonald gives steadiness at fullback. At least they figured out he isn't a first five!
-
When will people realise the All Blacks can come across as arrogant to northern hemisphere audiences?
Even living there I couldn't (and can't) understand the bee in English bonnets over All Black arrogance, however it goes both ways. An English mate of mine once said he couldn't see any arrogance in the England team (this is early 2003) and wondered where we got the idea.
IMHO, our respective media are responsible for stirring up the "you're arrogant, no you are" business. A certain Sunday Times columnist being the worst culprit, but the media in NZ as a whole are pretty bad. Sure there are some players we love to hate (Carling, Guscott for example) but the players in the current England team are mostly pretty inoffensive compared to them.
-
I was at the semi in 1999 and I don't remember the crowd chanting Allez Bleus at all, I think the dawning realisation that we were going to lose blocked that out...
I was, unfortunately, surrounding by a bunch of old Welsh...people and I haven't had any respect for them ever since. Starting with "where'd you get your ticket? This is a WRU seat" and ending with "ah well, it's good for Northern hemisphere rugby isn't it" with pleasure written all over his sour face. At least the French fans, understandably jubilant, were gloriously happy in their celebrations and passed on genuine condolences to us shell-shocked Kiwis (before getting royally pissed in celebration!).
-
Do you think these stats say more about the opposition (committed & passionate but limited) than about the ABs (who have probably had half a mind on Cardiff for the last six months or so)?
I think a cakewalk is a bit like a sashay, only more manly.
Nervous about France. Could shoot Rattue.
-
I thought Evans was outstanding the other night too. Entered the line well, ran straight. Made a try or two for the wingers.
Ellis looked dangerous ith the ball in hand but not too tidy around the ruck or scrum.