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André in Zuid-Afrika

Rugby - The sport of gentlemen

And of course we need this one... :D
greg in noord-frankrijk

Yes !!!

André in Zuid-Afrika

This weekend we're playing NZ in the Trinations. Not a good season for us so far, but maybe, since we're playing at home.... :twisted: :blackknight:
greg in noord-frankrijk

Pauvres petits kiwis ! :twisted:
André in Zuid-Afrika

greg in noordfrankrijk wrote:
Pauvres petits kiwis ! :twisted:



We lost... something like 63 million - 3 :oops: :oops: :cry: :cry:


Well, OK, 45-26....

:cry:
greg in noord-frankrijk

Well, the good news is that you can only go up now ! :D
André in Zuid-Afrika

greg in noordfrankrijk wrote:
Well, the good news is that you can only go up now ! :D


:lol: :lol: True, true!!

They've now brought in some of the previous coaches to help the present one... Note, all of them have been fired because they weren't good enough... :roll:
André in Zuid-Afrika

Er... we.... won... we... WON!!!! We did it, we actually won!! :shock: :shock:

South Africa 21 New Zealand 20... :shock: :? :D :D :D

Quote:
Boks power over All Blacks
02/09/2006 18:31 - (SA) Rustenburg - South Africa won their first Tri-Nations match of the year in Rustenburg on Saturday, ending the All Blacks 15 match unbeaten run with a 21-20 victory.

It took a 77th minute penalty from flyhalf Andre Pretorius - who more than repaid coach Jake White's decision to start with him instead of Butch James - to end South Africa's five match winless streak.

The All-Blacks had wrapped up the Tri-Nations title with three matches still to be played. The Springboks end this year's competition with a match against Australia at Ellis Park next weekend.

Referee Chris White from England had a big hand in the game, giving the Boks three penalties in the last moments of the clash and so allowing the home team to escape from their own half and eventually win the penalty that would seal the game.

The defence from both sides was outstanding, with few chances arising for either to have a full go at each other.

10-6 to All Blacks after 20 minutes

The Boks gave the free-running All Blacks no space or time to put their array of skills on display and it was up to the impressive Daniel Carter to again break the Boks' defensive lines.

After Pretorius and Carter traded early penalties, the New Zealand flyhalf eased his way past the Bok defence to score under the uprights, the conversion giving a 10-6 lead to the visitors after 20 minutes.

The Boks hit back when winger Bryan Habana intercepted a Rodney So'oialo pass to Joe Rokocoko to score his first try of the campaign.

Pretorius made no mistake with the conversion for a deserved Bok lead.

Carter struck another penalty on half-time and so the teams changed over at 13-all.

Wannenburg powers through

With chances to score few and far between it was the Boks who did most of the attacking in the second period, with Pretorius giving his outside backs plenty of good ball to run at the New Zealand defence.

The visitors may have won the battle at the breakdowns, but they didn't dominate at the set pieces, where Victor Matfield stood tall at the lineouts.

And it was his steal of a New Zealand put-in that led directly to the Boks' second try.

Having set up a ruck on the 22m line, Pedrie Wannenburg powered his way over in the right hand corner to hand the Boks an 18-13 lead.

The champions never stopped their attacks and eventually found a way through a solid Bok defence, but only because of Carter's clever stab through kick that Rokocoko snaffled up to dot down.

The conversion left the visitors in charge at 20-18, but the late Pretorius penalty gave White his first Tri-Nations win of the year.

André in Zuid-Afrika

South Africa 24 Australia 16


:gg2: :-)) :blob2: :blob3: :blob5:

We're back in business!!!!!! :D :D :D
greg in noord-frankrijk

You see ? You're on the way up ! :D
André in Zuid-Afrika

Well, we're still ranked fourth :( , but we have hope again for next year's World Cup! :D
André in Zuid-Afrika

The final of our national rugby competition will be played this weekend right here in Bloemfontein. At stake is the Currie Cup. South African provincial teams have played for this trophy since the 1890's.



Sadly, my favourite team, Griqualand West (Kimberley), didn't even come close to the final, but at least my current home team (Free State Cheetahs, Bloemfontein) did. They're also the defending champions.


Their opponents, like last year, will be the Blue Bulls from Pretoria.



This picture was taken at the local rugby stadium on Saturday, when the Cheetahs beat the KZN Sharks (Durban) in the semi-final of the competition.

greg in noord-frankrijk

Des nouvelles de France : l'édition 2006 du calendrier «LES DIEVX DV STADE» fait scandale et... sensation !

Here are some extraits — only the softer ones. There's a fierce controversy here about insidious homoeroticism, soft pronography or just plain vulgarity allegedly displayed in the calendar.

Now it's up to you to decide :


Stéphane Glas





Juan Martin Hernandez





Xavier Garbajosa





Jérôme Prévitali






Apart from that, Montauban (a southwestern city) slashed Le Stade français (Paris) this week-end : 15-9.
André in Zuid-Afrika

It's getting more and more explicit, doesn't it? :shock:
André in Zuid-Afrika

Currie Cup final...

Cheetahs 28 Blue Bulls 28...

A draw....
Porthos

<<Stéphane Glas>>

Is he Welsh? In that one pic, there is a picture of him with a "Pays de Galles" shirt on. Is he on the Welsh rugby team?

Is rugby pretty popular in Europe? Here it evolved into American football, but I do dig rugby, although it's hardly ever on TV.
Loic

Rugby is the most football code in Wales and also by default, their most popular sport. I would not want to speak for Scotland, but I have the impression that soccer is still their most popular sport there with rugby a close second. In England, football is by far and away king with 'big minority' sports like cricket and rugby taking second and third places respectively.

I would not say rugby is popular on continental Europe judging by their international performances. The only exceptions would be France and Italy who are also both Six Nations participants. The Six Nations is an annual rugby robin involving all the home countries of the United Kingdom, Ireland (Ulster and Eire compete as one team), France and Italy. If I am not wrong, Italy was a relatively recent addition to this annual championship.

France are a very formidable rugby country and I have heard that in the southwest centred in Toulouse, rugby actually beats football in the popularity stakes. They are also the current holders of the Six Nations Championship.

Otherwise, I would not say that rugby is to Europe what american football is to the States. Rugby is still primarily a Commonwealth sport although it has a more universal appeal than the other great English export, cricket. But I'd leave the experts -viz Andre and Greg to explain in greater detail. Personally, I have only played rugby a couple of times for PE and I wasn't too impressed with being rugby tackled to the ground.
Porthos

For some reason, I just cannot picture Italians and Frenchmen playing rugby.
Loic

I suppose that's because you picture rugby as a typically English public school sort of game.

But France are one of the traditional rugby powerhouses. Next year's world cup would be held in France and there is a stronger chance of France winning the William Webb Ellis Trophy on home soil than England retaining the title.
Porthos

Well yes, when I think of Rugby I think of those of the British Isles and Australia, but besides that, I suppose it's difficult for me to imagine because I don't honestly associate Franco-Italians with such rough contact sports as rugby.
André in Zuid-Afrika

Loic is on the spot with his comments.

The current world ranking:

1(1) NEW ZEALAND 92.91
2(2) FRANCE 87.53
3(3) SOUTH AFRICA 87.05
4(4) AUSTRALIA 86.13
5(5) IRELAND 82.01
6(6) ENGLAND 79.66
7(7) SCOTLAND 77.72
8(8) ARGENTINA 77.49
9(9) WALES 76.34
10(10) SAMOA 73.86
11(11) FIJI 73.15
12(12) ITALY 72.94
13(13) CANADA 69.11
14(14) USA 68.73
15(15) ROMANIA 68.37
16(16) TONGA 66.04
17(17) GEORGIA 65.04
18(18) RUSSIA 63.81
19(19) URUGUAY 63.45
20(20) JAPAN 63.05
21(21) PORTUGAL 60.88
22(22) MOROCCO 60.52
23(23) KOREA 60.21
24(24) CHILE 59.27
25(25) SPAIN 57.84
26(26) GERMANY 56.06
27(27) NAMIBIA 55.29
28(28) HONG KONG 55.21
29(29) CZECH REPUBLIC 53.94
30(30) PARAGUAY 53.82
31(31) BELGIUM 52.75
32(32) TUNISIA 52.70
33(33) UKRAINE 52.44
34(35) BRAZIL 52.31
35(34) NETHERLANDS 51.72
36(36) MOLDOVA 50.22
37(37) POLAND 49.55
38(38) KENYA 49.03
39(39) CROATIA 48.93
40(40) CHINESE TAIPEI 48.41
41(41) ARABIAN GULF 48.32
42(42) LATVIA 48.26
43(43) SRI LANKA 48.16
44(44) IVORY COAST 48.16
45(45) KAZAKHSTAN 47.95
46(46) MADAGASCAR 47.95
47(47) SWEDEN 47.71
48(48) SWITZERLAND 47.13
49(49) CHINA 46.58
50(50) MALTA 46.43
51(51) UGANDA 46.16
52(52) SINGAPORE 46.00
53(53) COOK ISLANDS 45.87
54(54) ZIMBABWE 45.51
55(56) PAPUA NEW GUINEA 45.09
56(57) DENMARK 45.05
57(59) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 43.97
58(60) CAYMAN 43.87
59(61) ANDORRA 43.54
60(55) VENEZUELA 43.40
61(62) BARBADOS 43.13
62(63) SENEGAL 42.13
63(58) PERU 41.75
64(64) MALAYSIA 41.70
65(65) BERMUDA 41.69
66(86) COLOMBIA 41.69
67(66) ZAMBIA 41.35
68(67) HUNGARY 41.22
69(68) LITHUANIA 41.19
70(69) NIUE ISLANDS 40.96
71(70) SLOVENIA 40.90
72(71) THAILAND 40.80
73(72) GUYANA 40.35
74(73) SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO 40.04
75(74) AUSTRIA 39.97
76(75) ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES 39.30
77(76) SOLOMON ISLANDS 39.06
78(77) JAMAICA 38.97
79(78) MONACO 38.81
80(79) BOTSWANA 38.64
81(80) CAMEROON 38.52
82(81) GUAM 38.13
83(82) LUXEMBOURG 37.93
84(83) SWAZILAND 37.57
85(84) ST. LUCIA 37.57
86(85) NORWAY 37.53
87(87) TAHITI 36.25
88(88) INDIA 36.20
89(89) NIGERIA 36.00
90(90) BAHAMAS 35.61
91(91) BULGARIA 35.20
92(92) VANUATU 34.77
93(93) ISRAEL 34.56
94(94) FINLAND 30.87
95(95) BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA 30.25
André in Zuid-Afrika

Quote:
Kiwis rewrite record books
05/11/2006 19:48 - (SA)


London - Daniel Carter starred as New Zealand rewrote the Twickenham record books with a 41-20 win over England here Sunday.

Defeat was England's sixth in a row - their worst run since 1971/72 - and the 21-point loss was the biggest the world champions had suffered at their London home, surpassing the 18 point margin achieved by South Africa in a 29-11 win here in 1997.

The victory also saw New Zealand beat their previous Twickenham record victory margin of 14 points, achieved twice in 1964 (14-0) and 1967 (23-11).

Flyhalf Carter scored 26 points, including one of New Zealand's four tries.

New Zealand, 13-5 up heading towards the break, then stunned England with a spell of 15 points in the final three minutes of the first period for a commanding interval lead of 28-5.

But the course of the match might have been different had not England centre Jamie Noon seen his fifth minute 'try' disallowed by the video referee.

England came into this match with injuries and were without a dozen leading players for a fixture marking the opening of Twickenham's new South Stand 'bowl', which increased the ground's capacity to more than 80 000.

Their side featured three debutants in right wing Paul Sackey, inside centre Anthony Allen, who had a torrid time, and scrumhalf Shaun Perry.

Regained the lead


The All Blacks went ahead through Carter's second minute penalty.

But England thought they'd regained the lead when, after a move involving several phases that saw captain and blindside flanker Martin Corry prominent, Iain Balshaw's pass found Noon who seemed to shrug off Rico Gear and go over with All Black centre Ma'a Nonu clinging on.

French referee Joel Jutge called for replay assistance and, with no definitive proof of Noon grounding the ball, the television match official ruled against England, even though the All Blacks were behind their posts anticipating a conversion.

Another Carter penalty doubled New Zealand's lead and then came the first try of the match. After great hands from Carter, Gear broke away and the right wing's crossfield run took the All Blacks deep into England's 22.

Gear's pass found prop Tony Woodcock and, from the ensuing ruck, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw fed centre Aaron Mauger for the try.

At 11-0 down, England hit back on the half-hour when Allen's pass, intended for Balshaw, was collected on the bounce by Noon, running from deep, and this time there was no doubt.

They were soon on the backfoot


Charlie Hodgson missed the conversion but at 11-5 behind England were in touch.

But they were soon on the backfoot. First Carter, from the half-way line, landed a 54m penalty.

Then, following slow ruck ball, Allen saw his floated pass picked off by Joe Rokocoko with the All Black wing sprinting in for his 33rd try in 37 Tests.

And there was still time for prop Carl Hayman to crown a fine handling move involving both forwards and backs with New Zealand's third try of the half.

Carter missed for the first time in six shots at goal but it mattered little.

England scored first in the second-half when Ben Cohen, following good hands from Noon, Corry, hooker George Chuter and openside flanker Lewis Moody, was sent in at the corner.

Hodgson converted and New Zealand's lead had been cut to 28-12. Hodgson then missed a penalty as did Carter.

However, the outside-half atoned barely a minute later by handing off Allen and bursting through for a try.

Perry then found a way through for a fine solo score but New Zealand were still 18 points up heading into the final quarter.

Flanker Chris Masoe's yellow card led to a successful Hodgson penalty before Carter restored New Zealand's 18-point advantage.

And with seven minutes left on the clock, Carter's fifth successful penalty, in off the left post, took New Zealand into the record books.

New Zealand face France next weekend in the first of a double header, with England at home to Argentina.

greg in noord-frankrijk

Porthos wrote:
<<Stéphane Glas>>

Is he Welsh?




Non. Stéphane Glas (1m79 - 87kg) est français.




Porthos wrote:
For some reason, I just cannot picture Italians and Frenchmen playing rugby.


Must be an Anglo-saxon thing...
Loic

One thing I noticed, however, is that French rugbymen tend to be smaller on average than their English counterparts. Their combined pack weight is definitely inferior. That was one reason why they got mauled by England in the 2003 world cup.
Porthos

greg in noord-frankrijk wrote:
Porthos wrote:
<<Stéphane Glas>>

Is he Welsh?




Non. Stéphane Glas (1m79 - 87kg) est français.




Porthos wrote:
For some reason, I just cannot picture Italians and Frenchmen playing rugby.


Must be an Anglo-saxon thing...


Yes, I think it is very much an Anglo-Saxon thing. That's my Anglo-Saxon half talking.

But the reason I asked about the rugby player is because his uniform said "Pays de Galles" on it, so I thought he might be Welsh. Maybe he's a French dude playing for Wales at the time of the photo?
Porthos

loic wrote:
One thing I noticed, however, is that French rugbymen tend to be smaller on average than their English counterparts. Their combined pack weight is definitely inferior. That was one reason why they got mauled by England in the 2003 world cup.


Could it just be because they're French? "Oh, I hope he doesn't tackle me too hard. I might break one of my manicured nails!"
fab

Quote:
Could it just be because they're French? "Oh, I hope he doesn't tackle me too hard. I might break one of my manicured nails!"



Is that really the image Americans have of French ??!! My godness... Where did they were looking for such a thing !...

France, Italy, Argentina have always been among major Rugby nations.
Porthos

fab wrote:
Quote:
Could it just be because they're French? "Oh, I hope he doesn't tackle me too hard. I might break one of my manicured nails!"



Is that really the image Americans have of French ??!! My godness... Where did they were looking for such a thing !...

France, Italy, Argentina have always been among major Rugby nations.


The stereoytpe might not be that exaggerated, but a *lot* of Americans, mainly American men, speak of and think of the French in this way. Particularly more right-wing people and working class people have this impression of the French. And even if a lot of us don't buy into that stereotype, we still joke around about it, because it is a comedic point about the French.
André in Zuid-Afrika

Porthos wrote:
fab wrote:
Quote:
Could it just be because they're French? "Oh, I hope he doesn't tackle me too hard. I might break one of my manicured nails!"



Is that really the image Americans have of French ??!! My godness... Where did they were looking for such a thing !...

France, Italy, Argentina have always been among major Rugby nations.


The stereoytpe might not be that exaggerated, but a *lot* of Americans, mainly American men, speak of and think of the French in this way. Particularly more right-wing people and working class people have this impression of the French. And even if a lot of us don't buy into that stereotype, we still joke around about it, because it is a comedic point about the French.


A very stupid stereotype. The French rugby players are highly respected in the rugby world (they're not ranked second in the world at the moment for nothing). They're tough opponents, and never easy to beat. The Italians are not quite as good yet, but they're getting there, and certainly they're tough opponents as well.
Porthos

Andre, I think it's because we normally associate more effeminate, cultured things with the French like wine, fine cuisine, art, romance, etc. so we tend to think of them that way. Whereas we think of the northern Europeans as being hearty, beer drinking men. But it's okay. I am like that. I am very metro, and concerned with my appearance, and I'll be the first one to admit it, but that doesn't mean I don't have a hard core side too. I've probably been in more fist fights than anybody on this board, not that that's something I'm proud of, lol.
fab

Quote:
I think it's because we normally associate more effeminate, cultured things with the French like wine, fine cuisine, art, romance



In France all these things are not considered especially effeminate.
What is feminine in wine ??! Here it is considered more an masculine passion.
Fine cooking ? men love as much good meals than women... and most great cooking chefs are males.
Art ?! No to be sexist, but most artists were males. And art is far to be always sweet thing...

Actually, it is intereting to see that Americans tend to associate together things to which we don"t see common points...
André in Zuid-Afrika

Porthos wrote:
But the reason I asked about the rugby player is because his uniform said "Pays de Galles" on it, so I thought he might be Welsh. Maybe he's a French dude playing for Wales at the time of the photo?


It's probably the name of the club he plays for. Wales has red jerseys. Nationals of one country may not play for another. (They may play club or provincial/regional rugby in another country, with permission from their own country's rugby board.)

Loic

I must admit that this is a kneejerk reaction of English-speaking prejudices against the French. I suppose the effete reputation of the French must be due to the absence of any significant military triumphs since Austerlitz.
greg in noord-frankrijk

loic wrote:
I suppose the effete reputation of the French must be due to the absence of any significant military triumphs since Austerlitz.

Ou plutôt à l'ignorance de tels triomphes hors de France, car triomphes il y a eu ! (fin du cocorico)

Porthos wrote:
Andre, I think it's because we normally associate more effeminate, cultured things with the French like wine, fine cuisine, art, romance, etc. so we tend to think of them that way.

???
We are going to drop you anywhere in France (Gascogne, Corsica, Brittany, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Seine-Saint-Denis, Bouches-du-Rhône etc) and see how our tough guy is doing ! France isn't exactly the safest destination for "metro" tenderfeet...
Loic

Lesquelles, Greg? La Bataille de Verdun ("Ils ne passeront pas!") lors de la Premiere Guerre Mondiale, par exemple?
greg in noord-frankrijk

Je ne sais pas si Verdun peut être qualifié de triomphe vu les pertes humaines hallucinantes (des deux côtés d'ailleurs) mais Narvik, Koufra, Bir-Hakeim et la reprise de l'Érythrée oui. Et puis n'oublions pas l'Armée des Alpes (invaincue) qui a réduit en pièces l'armée italienne bien plus nombreuse que les lambeaux de l'armée française défaite par la progression nazie, ainsi que les succès du groupe aérien Normandie-Niémen aux côtés de l'URSS. Ceci pour nous limiter à la période de la seconde guerre mondiale antérieure aux campagnes de France et d'Allemagne.
Porthos

greg in noord-frankrijk wrote:
loic wrote:
I suppose the effete reputation of the French must be due to the absence of any significant military triumphs since Austerlitz.

Ou plutôt à l'ignorance de tels triomphes hors de France, car triomphes il y a eu ! (fin du cocorico)

Porthos wrote:
Andre, I think it's because we normally associate more effeminate, cultured things with the French like wine, fine cuisine, art, romance, etc. so we tend to think of them that way.

???
We are going to drop you anywhere in France (Gascogne, Corsica, Brittany, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Seine-Saint-Denis, Bouches-du-Rhône etc) and see how our tough guy is doing ! France isn't exactly the safest destination for "metro" tenderfeet...


As long as your ghettos aren't any worse than ours, I think I'll do just fine. I come from a long line of boxers pal, and I'm not exactly an inexperienced street fighter!

And what military triumphs has France experienced since Napoleon?
Benjamin [inactive]

fab wrote:
In France all these things are not considered especially effeminate.
What is feminine in wine ??! Here it is considered more an masculine passion.
Fine cooking ? men love as much good meals than women... and most great cooking chefs are males.
Art ?! No to be sexist, but most artists were males. And art is far to be always sweet thing...

I have to say that I'd never really thought of those things as 'effeminate' either. Most British 'celebrity chefs' are men. Also, it is traditionally the men who choose the wine in restaurants here (although this is probably no longer the case as gender roles have become more equal).
Porthos

War, sports, beer drinking, those are all things which we associate with manly pursuits. Romance, fashion, fine art, culinary deliciacies, and such things comprise the feminine side of life, which every man must have in some measure as well. But, when a country or culture is particularly reknown for the latter things, they will not generally be percieved as a very war-like, or masculine culture. From this perspective comes sayings like, "The French would rather make love with their faces than fight a war", or "The French haven't the stomach for war", etc.
fab

Porthos, do you really think that a country (and its people) should be judged on its belliquous ablilities ? Its seems you thinks that's good to be war-like...

I'm not specifically proud about it, since I don't make of military capacities of destruction one of my favorite values, but on this side France is far to be a non-existant country.


nuclear powers
Benjamin [inactive]

Porthos wrote:
War, sports, beer drinking, those are all things which we associate with manly pursuits. Romance, fashion, fine art, culinary deliciacies, and such things comprise the feminine side of life, which every man must have in some measure as well. But, when a country or culture is particularly reknown for the latter things, they will not generally be percieved as a very war-like, or masculine culture. From this perspective comes sayings like, "The French would rather make love with their faces than fight a war", or "The French haven't the stomach for war", etc.

You know, I've never really associated France with 'anti-war'. Like most European countries, France's history has not been particularly peaceful. And that cannot really be blamed entirely on invasions from England/Britain and Germany either.
Porthos

fab wrote:
Porthos, do you really think that a country (and its people) should be judged on its belliquous ablilities ? Its seems you thinks that's good to be war-like...


If you are assessing their martial prowess, then yes, it's good to consider the national spirit for war, when necessary. The unprecedented military and economic advantage which the west shares over the rest of the world dictates that full scale war on behalf of countries with equal strength is generally not neccessary these days, as far as powers like France is concerned. But if such a war would come about, and France had to fight a nation of equal or greater strength, I would hope that they deem martial prowess and courage as worthy attributes, otherwise they would find themselves subjects of a foreign occupation (does WWII ring any bells?).

I don't really buy into the "sissy Frenchman" stereotype, but I do crack jokes about it, in a leisurely way.
greg in noord-frankrijk

Porthos wrote:
From this perspective comes sayings like, "The French would rather make love with their faces than fight a war", or "The French haven't the stomach for war", etc.


Funny. Believe me, the history of our country is a long litany of wars, massacres and crimes. Violence and resistance to it has always been present in France. Ask our neighbours...
Porthos

I think the stereotype arises from the fact that the French are a more voluptuous people when compared to Anglo-Saxons. In Anglo eyes, the French are too preoccupied with effeminate pursuits (things like fine dining and wine (instead of beer or hard liquor), art, and Romance are considered to be something for pretty boys, and not "men's men").
Benjamin [inactive]

Porthos wrote:
I think the stereotype arises from the fact that the French are a more voluptuous people when compared to Anglo-Saxons. In Anglo eyes, the French are too preoccupied with effeminate pursuits (things like fine dining and wine (instead of beer or hard liquor), art, and Romance are considered to be something for pretty boys, and not "men's men").

But what social class are we talking about? In my social class (or background), 'pretty boys' are the norm.
Porthos

Just people in general. Maybe not Ivy League gents, but the common people.
Benjamin [inactive]

Porthos wrote:
Just people in general. Maybe not Ivy League gents, but the common people.

Working class people then, I take it? Perhaps — but I don't identify with them, so it's a bit of a non-starter for me.
Porthos

As we've discussed before, "working class" means something entirely different in our respective countries. Here, "working class" refers to many individuals of middle class background (which is defined by income, not birthrank), simply because they have to work to support themselves, unlike rich people who don't have to work. In other words, the class consists of people who have to work for wages, so I don't think capitalists who own a business would be grouped in with them. Anyway, most people, other than the elitists, have this view of the French, and especially, the right-wing oriented people. You know those "America is the only place I ever want to see", "God bless America", "flag waving", "Bush loving" type. Even within my own family (all Democrats), I'll get made fun of by my mother's side of the family because I have a tad bit of French blood on my father's side. When I was younger and wrestling with my brother or my uncles they would try to pin me down, and ask "Are you gonna give up now, Frenchie? You know you're going to surrender anyway."

The view will be less prevalent in blue states like New York or California, but go to Texas or the deep south, or the heartland of the midwest, and you will find a strong anti-Franco sentiment there. I think it's something inherited from the English, and it is very much an Anglo-Saxon thing. Historically, the British were always known for hating the French.
Loic

J’en prends note, Greg. Je te cache pas que j’étais pas au courant de tout ça.

Back to rugby. I might actually be watching the clash between France and the All Blacks tomorrow if time permits.
Porthos

What country is the "All Blacks"? Do the other countries have a name too?
Benjamin [inactive]

Porthos wrote:
What country is the "All Blacks"?

New Zealand
Porthos

I was going to guess New Zealand. I don't know why. Maybe I heard of it before.
greg in noord-frankrijk

loic wrote:
J’en prends note, Greg. Je te cache pas que j’étais pas au courant de tout ça.


Pas de pb. Ou as-tu appris le français loic ?
André in Zuid-Afrika

Porthos wrote:
What country is the "All Blacks"? Do the other countries have a name too?


South Africa = Springboks
Australia = Wallabies
André in Zuid-Afrika

loic wrote:
J’en prends note, Greg. Je te cache pas que j’étais pas au courant de tout ça.

Back to rugby. I might actually be watching the clash between France and the All Blacks tomorrow if time permits.


Don't forget South Africa vs Ireland.
Loic

Greg: Je te comprends pas. Tu ignores de mon histoire, Greg?

More nicknames for you, Porthos, if you are planning to follow rugby news.

France = Les Bleus
Argentina = The Pumas
USA = The Eagles
Japan = Chrysanthemum (?)
André in Zuid-Afrika

Some interesting things happening on the international rugby scene! Argentina leads England by 19-10 (after 56 minutes of play) and Italy is holding its own against Australia (25-18 half time score in favour of Australia).
André in Zuid-Afrika

loic wrote:
Greg: Je te comprends pas. Tu ignores de mon histoire, Greg?

More nicknames for you, Porthos, if you are planning to follow rugby news.

France = Les Bleus
Argentina = The Pumas
USA = The Eagles
Japan = Chrysanthemum (?)


The interesting thing about the French is that they are known as Les Blues in French, the Tricolours in English and the Hane (Roosters) in Afrikaans.
André in Zuid-Afrika

Excellent! Argentina beats England 25-18!!
André in Zuid-Afrika

Ireland 32 South Africa 15

If you happen to see this man, KILL HIM!!!!

greg in noord-frankrijk

France 3 vs Nouvelle-Zélande 47 !!!
André in Zuid-Afrika

greg in noord-frankrijk wrote:
France 3 vs Nouvelle-Zélande 47 !!!


Yeh, I just watched the highlights on TV. What happened there? At this stage my money's on NZ for the World Cup next year... much as I hate saying that!
Loic

The French just lost the plot in the first half. It is telling that the All Blacks have already powered themselves to a formidable 23-3 lead at half-time.

I didn't really concentrate on the match as I was also swotting at the same time. But oh well, while the Kiwis might have been marginally favoured to carry this match, nobody would have predicted such a lopsided scoreline. This is France and not Georgia or some other new kids around the rugby fraternity block.

On another note, England lost 25-18 to Argentina in Twickenham. Shocking, isn't it!
André in Zuid-Afrika

The most important scores from the weekend

Ireland 32 South Africa 15
New Zealand 47 France 3
Argentina 25 England 12
Scotland 48 Romania 6
Australia 25 Italy 18
Wales 38 Pacific Islands 20
André in Zuid-Afrika

Rugby around the world... from the IRB website

Iranian women playing rugby




On the beach... (the West Brisbane Bulldogs practising)



On a hill... (in Italy)



And in the snow... (in Finland)

Loic

I like what Bernard Laposte said at a post-match interview after the complete humiliation at the hands of the All Blacks: We were impotent.

Say, this is the first time I see women playing actual proper contact rugby.
André in Zuid-Afrika

This weekend's results

England 23 South Africa 21

New Zealand 23 France 11

Argentina 23 Italy 16

and....

Ireland 21 Australia 6
greg in noord-frankrijk

André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
England 23 South Africa 21


A quite honorable score !
André in Zuid-Afrika

[quote="greg in noord-frankrijk"][quote="André in Zuid-Afrika"]England 23 South Africa 21 [/quote]

A quite honorable score ![/quote]

Well, considering that England lost its previous seven games... including against Argentina last week. We're playing them again this weekend, and the coach will be praying for victory, or he's without a job....

The latest rankings.... Ireland goes up to no. 3 and we're down to no. 5....

1(1) NEW ZEALAND 94.59
2(2) FRANCE 85.86
3(5) IRELAND 84.68
4(3) AUSTRALIA 84.63
5(4) SOUTH AFRICA 83.83
6(6) ARGENTINA 79.70
7(7) ENGLAND 79.55
8(8) SCOTLAND 77.72
9(9) WALES 77.02
10(10) SAMOA 73.86
11(11) FIJI 73.15
12(12) ITALY 72.20
13(13) CANADA 69.11
14(14) USA 68.73
15(15) ROMANIA 68.37
16(16) TONGA 66.04
17(17) GEORGIA 65.42
18(19) JAPAN 63.83
19(18) URUGUAY 63.45
20(20) RUSSIA 62.82
21(21) PORTUGAL 61.49
22(22) KOREA 60.21
23(23) NAMIBIA 59.31
24(24) CHILE 59.27
25(25) SPAIN 57.84
26(26) MOROCCO 56.50
27(28) GERMANY 55.62
28(27) HONG KONG 54.44
29(29) CZECH REPUBLIC 53.94
30(30) PARAGUAY 53.82
31(34) UKRAINE 53.07
32(32) TUNISIA 52.70
33(31) BELGIUM 52.58
34(33) BRAZIL 52.31
35(36) MOLDOVA 51.51
36(37) POLAND 50.78
37(35) NETHERLANDS 50.42
38(38) LATVIA 49.55
39(39) CROATIA 49.38
40(40) KENYA 49.03
41(41) SWEDEN 48.75
42(42) CHINESE TAIPEI 48.41
43(43) ARABIAN GULF 48.32
44(44) SRI LANKA 48.16
45(45) IVORY COAST 48.16
46(46) KAZAKHSTAN 47.95
47(47) MADAGASCAR 47.95
48(48) SWITZERLAND 47.13
49(49) CHINA 46.58
50(50) UGANDA 46.16
51(51) SINGAPORE 46.00
52(52) COOK ISLANDS 45.87
53(53) ZIMBABWE 45.51
54(54) PAPUA NEW GUINEA 45.09
55(55) MALTA 44.23
56(56) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 43.97
57(57) CAYMAN 43.87
58(58) VENEZUELA 43.40
59(59) BARBADOS 43.13
60(60) DENMARK 42.92
61(61) ANDORRA 42.77
62(67) LITHUANIA 42.65
63(62) SENEGAL 42.13
64(63) SLOVENIA 41.90
65(64) PERU 41.75
66(65) MALAYSIA 41.70
67(66) BERMUDA 41.69
68(68) COLOMBIA 41.69
69(69) HUNGARY 41.36
70(70) ZAMBIA 41.35
71(71) SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO 41.14
72(72) NIUE ISLANDS 40.96
73(73) THAILAND 40.80
74(74) GUYANA 40.35
75(75) AUSTRIA 39.97
76(76) ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES 39.30
77(77) SOLOMON ISLANDS 39.06
78(78) JAMAICA 38.97
79(79) MONACO 38.81
80(80) BOTSWANA 38.64
81(81) CAMEROON 38.52
82(82) GUAM 38.13
83(83) LUXEMBOURG 37.93
84(84) SWAZILAND 37.57
85(85) ST. LUCIA 37.57
86(86) NORWAY 37.03
87(87) TAHITI 36.25
88(88) INDIA 36.20
89(89) NIGERIA 36.00
90(90) BAHAMAS 35.61
91(92) VANUATU 34.77
92(91) BULGARIA 34.10
93(93) ISRAEL 33.56
94(94) FINLAND 30.87
95(95) BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA 30.25
greg in noord-frankrijk

André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 94.59
2(2) FRANCE 85.86
3(5) IRELAND 84.68
4(3) AUSTRALIA 84.63
5(4) SOUTH AFRICA 83.83


Sans commentaire...
André in Zuid-Afrika

greg in noord-frankrijk wrote:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 94.59
2(2) FRANCE 85.86
3(5) IRELAND 84.68
4(3) AUSTRALIA 84.63
5(4) SOUTH AFRICA 83.83


Sans commentaire...


You're enjoying this, aren't you? Being at no. 2....
André in Zuid-Afrika



Quote:
Springboks break Twickenham curse
25/11/2006 18:23 - (SA)

London - South Africa ended their seven-game losing run against England and claimed their first away win for a year as four drop-goals by Andre Pretorius helped them beat the world champions 25-14 at Twickenham on Saturday.

England started confidently and led 14-3 after half an hour with a Mark Cueto try and three Andy Goode penalties but, just as in their three previous November internationals, lost their way.

A thundering try by giant prop CJ Van der Linde and the boot of impressive Pretorius edged the Springboks into a 16-14 halftime lead which they stretched with a drop goal from the flyhalf soon after the break.

Goode missed two long-range penalty attempts for England and Cueto dropped the ball when over the line, allowing Pretorius to add the killer blows with two late drop goals that secured South Africa's first win at Twickenham for nine years.

André in Zuid-Afrika

Australia 44 Scotland 15
André in Zuid-Afrika

First black capt for Bok XV
29/11/2006 17:22 - (SA)


Johannesburg - SA Under-21 captain Chiliboy Ralepelle will make history on Sunday when he runs onto the field as captain of the Springbok XV against the World XV at Leicester, England, on December 3.

The 20-year-old will be the first Black player to captain a Springbok side, and also the youngest captain ever.

Gary Botha, who captained the Currie Cup Blue Bulls team this season, is expected to join the proceedings later in the game, and receive the captain's armband from Ralepelle. The switch could be done at halftime

Botha, who was part of the World Championship-winning 2002 SA Under-21 team that played under coach Jake White, will also be making his debut as Springbok captain.

The non-Test match will be the last Springbok game for the season.

SA Team:

Bevin Fortuin, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, De Wet Barry, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Danie Rossouw, Gerrie Britz, Wikus van Heerden, Albert van den Berg, Johan Ackermann, CJ van der Linde, Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), Deon Carstens.

Replacements: Gary Botha, Lawrence Sephaka, Selborne Boome, Hilton Lobberts, Ricky Januarie, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe.
Irrintzi

The best club of france (also of europe) is the BOPB (biarritz olympique pays basque) Aupa BO!!




Their hymn: Aupa Bo!
http://www.ppibiarritz.com/Aupa%20BO.mp3

Quand le rugby a changé, le rugby basque a du changer aussi,
pour parvenir au sommet, le Pays Basque,
dignement, a choisi son représentant...

Une couleur... un maillot... une seule équipe : c'est le B.O
Vers la victoire... maintenant...
tout un pays a fait confiance à des garçons en rouge et blanc !

B.O.P.B sur le terrain... B.O.P.B sur les gradins...
Vers la victoire... c'est certain !
tout un pays rêve de gloire pour cette équipe qu'il soutient...


AUPA, AUPA B.O !
CHANTONS TOUS LE BIARRITZ OLYMPIQUE !
AUPA, AUPA B.O !
AUPA MIARRITZEKO MUTILAK
AUPA, AUPA B.O !
ALLONS TOUS LE CŒUR EN ROUGE ET BLANC

AVEC UN PEU DE VERT POUR RAPPELER LE DRAPEAU
D'UN PAYS BASQUE FIER QUI SOUTIENT LE B.O,
KOLORE HOIEKIN EZ DUZU GALDUKO
XURI 'TA GORRIA,
AUPA, AUPA B.O !


Quand on parle de rugby, ici les gens répondent tous " présent",
de tous les coins du pays, il sont venus, ils sont tous là
pour enflammer Aguilera...

Une couleur... un maillot... une seule équipe : c'est le B.O !
Vers la victoire... maintenant...
tout un pays a fait confiance à des garçons en rouge et blanc !


... B.O, EN AVANT !.... B.O !... LES ROUGES ET BLANCS !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Other basque great club is the AB (l'aviron bayonnais) of the 1st french division, last Saturday they shattered the Stade Français (Paris), the favorite of the year...

Their hymn: Vino griego
http://www.grilladeur.com/VinoGriego.mp3

Dans notre cher petit Bayonne
Il est une peña
La peña baiona
Ils portent fièrement partout
leur foulard bleu et blanc
A Dax ou à Narbonne
On ne voit plus que ces gars-là
Qui ont dans le cœur
Leurs chers joueurs
Du rugby roi…
Chez nous à Jean Dauger
Ou bien partout à l'extérieur
Sur tous les stades enfiévrés
Elle nous met tant d'ardeur
C'est la peña
Qui crie sa joie
Sur cet air là…

Refrain:

Allez allez
Les bleus et blancs
De l'Aviron Bayonnais
C'est la peña
C'est la peña baiona
On est tous là
Allez les gars
Encore une fois…
Allez allez
Les bleus et blancs
De l'aviron bayonnais
Jouez au ras
Puis écartez c'est l'essai
On applaudit à vos exploits,
C'est gagné…

Dans notre cher petit Bayonne
Il est une peña
La peña baiona
Ils portent fièrement partout leur
foulard bleu et blanc
A Dax ou à Narbonne
On ne voit plus que ces gars là
Qui ont dans le cœur
Leurs chers joueurs
Du rugby roi…
Partout nos joueurs brillent
Souvent la victoire est au bout,
Les rues de bleu et blanc
S'habillent
Et la fête est partout
C'est la peña qui crie sa joie
Sur cet air là


Refrain


greg in noord-frankrijk

Ouais, les Biarrots se débrouillent bien.
Irrintzi

Et! n'oublie pas que c'est les champions de France quand même...

Pour l'aviron, ils sont mal partis, puisqu'ils risques de repartir en D2... mais depuis leur victoire contre le Stade Français (c'était le 1er du classement contre le dernier...), les bayonnais ont gagné l'espoir de gravir des places...
Son public sera derrière lui (les supporters de l'aviron sont les plus fidèles et attachés a leurs équipe de France!)
Ici le grand débat au Pays Basque, c'est: es-tu pour l'aviron ou le BO?
Ainsi des familles entières sont divisées, de Biarritz à Bayonne seulement 8km les séparent, il faut imaginer la tension...
Loic

So you're a rugger, right? I think the resident South African here'd be chuffed to bits.
Loic

Watched the Six Nations clash between France and Italy yesterday. This was followed up by another Six Nations clash between the Auld Enemies of Scotland and England.

Italy 3-39 France

Scotland 40-42 England

I have become acquianted with a new French fly-half called David Skrela. Also, there is this French flanker called Sebastien Chabal who actually looks a lot like Hagrid from the Harry Potter films.


Mesdames et Messieurs, je vous presente Monsieur Chabal, celui qui interprete le role d'Hagrid dans Harry Potter.

Wilko is also back at his classy best. Scored a try and went on to convert it.


His trademark cusping of hands - I have been told that this makes him more fascinating among girls.
Irrintzi

Chabal!
Et oui la nouvelle terreur des terrains rugbalistiques est de retour, un bipède de 1,90 m pour 108 kg, surnomée "Cartouche" ou encore "Attila" pour ses plaquages tonitruants, les All blacks vont avoir du souci à ce faire...

regardez plutôt, Sale Sharks en à fait sa mascotte:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzExIqWZXYI

Voyez aussi le changement de look lol:






2 éssais pour commencer dans l'équipe de France, je trouve que c'est pas si mal...
Irrintzi

6 Nations
Le calendrier des Six Nations:
1ère journée
04/02/2007 Millennium Stadium 16:00 Pays de Galles Irlande
2ème journée
10/02/2007 Twickenham 14:30 Angleterre Italie
10/02/2007 Murrayfield 16:30 Ecosse Pays de Galles
11/02/2007 Croke Park 16:00 Irlande France
3ème journée
24/02/2007 Murrayfield 16:00 Ecosse Italie
24/02/2007 Croke Park 18:30 Irlande Angleterre
24/02/2007 Stade de France 20:00 France Pays de Galles
4ème journée
10/03/2007 Murrayfield 14:30 Ecosse Irlande
10/03/2007 Stadio Flaminio 16:30 Italie Pays de Galles
11/03/2007 Twickenham 16:00 Angleterre France
5ème journée
17/03/2007 Stadio Flaminio 14:30 Italie Irlande
17/03/2007 Stade de France 16:30 France Ecosse
17/03/2007 Millennium Stadium 18:30 Pays de Galles Angleterre

Classement Actuel
EQUIPES Pts J G N P p c +/-
1 France 2 1 1 0 0 39 3 36
2 Angleterre 2 1 1 0 0 42 20 22
3 Ecosse 0 1 0 0 1 20 42 -22
4 Italie 0 1 0 0 1 3 39 -36
André in Zuid-Afrika

And in the southern hemisphere... the Super 14 has started.

Results in the first round.

Cheetahs 27 Stormers 9
Sharks 17 Bulls 3

Highlanders 8 Western Force 7
Blues 34 Crusaders 25
Reds 25 Hurricanes 16
Brumbies 21 Chiefs 15
Waratahs 25 Lions 16
Porthos

Does Spain even have a national team? Go Spain. Go Wales!
André in Zuid-Afrika

Porthos wrote:
Does Spain even have a national team? Go Spain. Go Wales!


Spain does have a national team. They're currently no. 25 in the world.
Porthos

Well I just have a habit for rooting for the fatherlands, lol. That's why I asked.
André in Zuid-Afrika

Porthos wrote:
Well I just have a habit for rooting for the fatherlands, lol. That's why I asked.


Nothing wrong with that! You're better off rooting for Wales than for Spain, though. Wales is no. 8...
Porthos

So Wales is considered one of the elite international teams, no?
André in Zuid-Afrika

Porthos wrote:
So Wales is considered one of the elite international teams, no?


Yes.
Loic

Rugby union is also the most popular team sport in Wales. Even piped football in the popularity league which is saying quite a bit in otherwise soccer-mad Britain.
Irrintzi

Porthos wrote:
Does Spain even have a national team? Go Spain. Go Wales!


For sure!
And I think they will be very strong in the future!
I know it because I live to quoted and exactly if the Spain becomes a big rugby country will be himself thanks to the contribution of the ideas coming from the north, to the Basque country, because the French Basque country has a real passion for this sport, and the BO big team of europe, dispute its match in San Sebastian (Anoeta stadium, Real Sociedad) because the stadium of Biarritz is too small, so the Spanish Basques are interested more and more in the rugby...

Los Leones, Adelante!

No hace falta olvidar que los argentinos sean entre los mejor de los equipos de rugby.
André in Zuid-Afrika

Time for the list again...

1(1) NEW ZEALAND 94.59
2(2) FRANCE 87.17
3(3) AUSTRALIA 85.55
4(5) Ranking Climber SOUTH AFRICA 84.71
5(4) Ranking Faller IRELAND 83.99
6(6) ARGENTINA 79.61
7(7) ENGLAND 79.48
8(9) Ranking Climber SCOTLAND 76.78
9(8) Ranking Faller WALES 75.74
10(10) SAMOA 73.86
11(11) FIJI 73.15
12(12) ITALY 72.75
13(13) USA 68.73
14(14) CANADA 68.52
15(15) GEORGIA 66.93
16(16) ROMANIA 66.76
17(17) TONGA 66.66
18(18) JAPAN 64.95
19(20) Ranking Climber RUSSIA 63.98
20(19) Ranking Faller URUGUAY 63.45
21(21) PORTUGAL 62.65
22(22) KOREA 59.55
23(23) NAMIBIA 59.29
24(24) CHILE 59.27
25(25) SPAIN 56.43
26(26) MOROCCO 55.67
27(27) GERMANY 55.62
28(28) CZECH REPUBLIC 53.94
29(29) PARAGUAY 53.82
30(30) HONG KONG 53.35
31(31) UKRAINE 53.07
32(32) TUNISIA 52.65
33(33) BELGIUM 52.58
34(34) MOLDOVA 52.39
35(35) BRAZIL 52.31
36(36) POLAND 50.92
37(37) LATVIA 49.54
38(38) NETHERLANDS 49.53
39(39) CROATIA 49.39
40(40) KENYA 48.86
41(41) SWEDEN 48.75
42(42) CHINESE TAIPEI 48.41
43(43) ARABIAN GULF 48.32
44(44) IVORY COAST 48.22
45(45) SRI LANKA 48.16
46(46) KAZAKHSTAN 47.95
47(47) MADAGASCAR 47.95
48(48) SWITZERLAND 47.13
49(49) CHINA 46.58
50(50) UGANDA 46.34
51(51) SINGAPORE 46.00
52(52) COOK ISLANDS 45.87
53(53) ZIMBABWE 45.51
54(54) PAPUA NEW GUINEA 45.09
55(55) MALTA 44.23
56(56) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 43.97
57(57) CAYMAN 43.87
58(58) VENEZUELA 43.40
59(59) BARBADOS 43.13
60(60) DENMARK 42.92
61(61) LITHUANIA 42.65
62(62) ANDORRA 42.63
63(63) SENEGAL 42.13
64(64) SLOVENIA 41.90
65(65) PERU 41.75
66(66) MALAYSIA 41.70
67(67) BERMUDA 41.69
68(68) COLOMBIA 41.69
69(69) HUNGARY 41.36
70(70) ZAMBIA 41.35
71(71) SERBIA 41.14
72(72) NIUE ISLANDS 40.96
73(73) THAILAND 40.80
74(74) GUYANA 40.35
75(75) AUSTRIA 39.97
76(76) ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES 39.30
77(77) SOLOMON ISLANDS 39.06
78(78) JAMAICA 38.97
79(79) MONACO 38.81
80(80) BOTSWANA 38.64
81(81) CAMEROON 38.52
82(82) GUAM 38.13
83(83) LUXEMBOURG 37.93
84(84) SWAZILAND 37.57
85(85) ST. LUCIA 37.57
86(86) NORWAY 37.03
87(87) TAHITI 36.25
88(88) INDIA 36.20
89(89) NIGERIA 36.00
90(90) BAHAMAS 35.61
91(91) VANUATU 34.77
92(92) BULGARIA 34.10
93(93) ISRAEL 33.56
94(94) FINLAND 30.87
95(95) BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA 30.25
Wo
Irrintzi

At this moment, in Europe, the VI nations:

Saturday 24th February 2007
15:00 GMT Scotland 17-37 Italy
17:30 GMT Ireland 43-13 England
20:00 GMT France 32-21 Wales


Teams Pts J G N P p c +/-
1 France 6 3 3 0 0 91 41 50
2 Ireland 4 3 2 0 1 79 42 37
3 England 4 3 2 0 1 75 70 5
4 Italy 2 3 1 0 2 47 76 -29
5 Scotland 2 3 1 0 2 58 88 -30
6 Wales 0 3 0 0 3 39 72 -33

The official website:
http://www.rbs6nations.com/index_6nations.htm
greg in noord-frankrijk

André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:

4(5) Ranking Climber SOUTH AFRICA 84.71
5(4) Ranking Faller IRELAND 83.99


When is the next Franco-South-African match due ?



André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:

412(12) ITALY 72.75
13(13) USA 68.73


That's barely credible that Italy is ranking in the vicinity of the US, isn't it ?



Irrintzi wrote:
At this moment, in Europe, the VI nations:

Saturday 24th February 2007
15:00 GMT Scotland 17-37 Italy
17:30 GMT Ireland 43-13 England
20:00 GMT France 32-21 Wales




Vive la zone euro !




Ireland 43-13 England
Loic

I was watching the post-match interview given by Phil Vickery, the English skipper who looked like his heart had skipped a beat or two when he had to face the hoard of rabidly angry English journalists at the press conference. I must say I pitied the bloke - he looked shellshocked.

I didn't watch any of the recent matches, but France did well. She has come from behind in the latest two games to prevail now; at this rate, she is going to achieve another grand slam.

PS: I am shocked the Pumas are above England. Is this a permanent shakeup of the world order?
Pauline

greg,

those are *wonderful* emoticons!!!!! Expecially the dragon!!! I didn't knwo that dragons can fly but of coures I knew that they breathe fire.

André in Zuid-Afrika

greg in noord-frankrijk wrote:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:

4(5) Ranking Climber SOUTH AFRICA 84.71
5(4) Ranking Faller IRELAND 83.99


When is the next Franco-South-African match due ?


That would be in the final of the World Cup, of course...
André in Zuid-Afrika

Oh, this pleases me no end!!

Quote:
Griquas win Cup final
04/05/2007 18:09 - (SA)

Kimberley - A try by fullback Zane Kirchner two minutes after the siren sounded has sensationally given the Griquas a third Vodacom Cup title with a 33-29 victory over the Blue Bulls in a gripping final.

Griquas led 15-9 at halftime.

Scorers:

Griquas - Tries: MJ Mentz, Dean Hopp, Heinrich Stride, Zane Kirchner. Conversions: Conrad Barnard (2). Penalties: Barnard (3).

Blue Bulls - Tries: Dries Scholtz, Trompie Nontshinga. Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2). Penalties: Potgieter (3), Ruan Boshoff. Drop goal: Potgieter.


Yes. I'm a Griqua supporter...
André in Zuid-Afrika

André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
Oh, this pleases me no end!!

Quote:
Griquas win Cup final
04/05/2007 18:09 - (SA)

Kimberley - A try by fullback Zane Kirchner two minutes after the siren sounded has sensationally given the Griquas a third Vodacom Cup title with a 33-29 victory over the Blue Bulls in a gripping final.

Griquas led 15-9 at halftime.

Scorers:

Griquas - Tries: MJ Mentz, Dean Hopp, Heinrich Stride, Zane Kirchner. Conversions: Conrad Barnard (2). Penalties: Barnard (3).

Blue Bulls - Tries: Dries Scholtz, Trompie Nontshinga. Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2). Penalties: Potgieter (3), Ruan Boshoff. Drop goal: Potgieter.


Yes. I'm a Griqua supporter...


And FOUR tries to TWO... that's justice... the right team won!!!
André in Zuid-Afrika

Not only are TWO South African teams going through to the Super 14 semi finals, they took the two top positions on the log.

The Sharks (from Durban) secured top position by beating the Stormers (Cape Town) today. The Blue Bulls (Pretoria) had a difficult task. A victory with four tries (meaning a bonus point) would have placed them on par with the Crusaders and the Auckland Blues on 42 points each. But the Bulls had the lowest points average of the three teams, which would officially placed them in fourth position. They had the mammoth task of beating the Reds by at least 72 points to secure second place (and a home semi final). They did more than that.... they won by 92-3!! (Shame, I always feel sorry for a team which loses like that.)

So two teams in the semi finals, and a good change of an all-SA final! That bodes well for the World Cup.

This is turning into a good season for me! Yesterday my favourite team, Griquas, won the Vodacom Cup for the third time. And my old school is currently placed 11th on the list of top rugby schools in the country, their best position ever.

1. Grey Bloem (bilingual)
2. Paul Roos (Afrikaans)
3. Affies (Afrikaans)
4. Paarl Gim (Afrikaans)
5. Eldoraigne (Afrikaans)
6. Monument (Afrikaans)
7. Ermelo (Afrikaans)
8. Outeniqua (Afrikaans)
9. Nelspruit (Afrikaans)
10. Michaelhouse (English)
11. Diamantveld (Afrikaans)
12. Boland Landbou (Afrikaans)
13. Paarl Boys' High (bilingual)
14. Westville (English)
15. Oakdale (bilingual)
16. Waterkloof (Afrikaans)
17. Florida (Afrikaans)
18. Framesby (Afrikaans)
19. HTS Middelburg (Afrikaans)
20. Kemptonpark (Afrikaans)
André in Zuid-Afrika

So it's South Africa vs South Africa in the Super14 final!!!!!!!!!


Bulls 27 Crusaders 12

Sharks 34 Blues 18

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