Weak Samoa umming and ahhing
Stomper
Have to question why the NZRU and Samoan RU would want to put the fans
though this miss-match...................
http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_4056716,00.html
Wednesday 27th August 2008
Semo Sititi: One of few experienced players
Rugby Union
featuring: Guinness Premiership Final Wasps vs Leicester and Super 14
Final Crusaders vs Waratahs Samoa came within an ace of cancelling
their one-off Test against the All Blacks next week, with too many of
their players unable to get out of club commitments to make the game.
The Pacific Island side has secured the release of just three of its
regular players from their professional clubs, the Japanese-based trio
of captain Filipo Levi and loose forwards George Stowers and Semo
Sititi, for the match in New Plymouth next Wednesday.
Most of Samoa's first-choice players are contracted to European clubs,
and with the test not an IRB-window one, the clubs are under no
obligation to release their players.
SRU chief executive Peter Schuster said it would be a huge challenge
putting together a side that could be competitive against the All
Blacks, and that they had considered whether there was any point in
the exercise.
"We were thinking about it, how are we going to meet the
expectation?," Schuster told Yahoo!Xtra.
"That was the difficult part for us.
"We are doing our best to having a team available to compete against
New Zealand next week. That is the biggest challenge for us,
especially against the All Blacks who have gone from strength to
strength.
"(We were thinking) around about three or four weeks ago, exploring
other options. But it was a bit late on our behalf because the IRB had
already given their approval for sanctioning the game.
"There is nothing much we can do about it now. People have purchased
tickets. So it would be hard for us to pull out of it."
The Samoan team will be confirmed following a trial at Auckland's
Western Springs on Wednesday.
"We do have some boys available back home. Most of them are involved
in the Sevens," Schuster said.
"We just have two areas of particular weakness. We are having a game
today in Auckland to sort out that issue, getting those positions
sorted out.
"Unfortunately the players have a say, but the bottom line of the
final say are the clubs.
"The organisation that runs the premier competition (in England)
indicated that they should give their first priority to their club.
"It is an 'off-game', it is not part of the international schedule
that comes out making the clubs release the players. We do understand
that and respect that."
Mike
One might ask why they'd arrange a game for this time of year when they
should know that many of their players would be unavailable.
Well it should boost the AB win/loss and tries per game ratio.
Mike
Uncle Dave
wrote:
>
> One might ask why they'd arrange a game for this time of year when they
> should know that many of their players would be unavailable.
>
> Well it should boost the AB win/loss and tries per game ratio.
I'm not allowed to mention the Mighty All Blacks (TM) anymore.
Apparently, voodoo rites are carried out against me on a regular basis
by fans of the Mighty All Blacks (TM) because I am the devil
incarnate. So I have no comment to make other than your implication
that win/loss ratio is all that matters to the Mighty All Blacks (TM)
is deeply unfair. What evidence do you have for this? If this were
the case, would we not - for example - be constantly reminded by fans
of the Mighty All Blacks (TM) that it is better to win most games and
lose one or two of the less important tournament games than to win the
tournament games and not worry too much about the others?
I see no ships...
UD
Matua
"Mike" <mikelovescham...@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:g969u9$n7g$2...@registered.motzarella.org...
It certainly wouldn't boost your win ratio, whoever you play!
Dave Keegan
No, you're more than welcome to start or join in any All Black
thread.
You only get credit if you avoid slamming them if it's off topic.
There will be rewards if you resist the temptation. (I used to have a
Keegan Seal of approval, but that bastard Hore shot it...)
Keegan...
rick boyd
> One might ask why they'd arrange a game for this time of year when they
> should know that many of their players would be unavailable.
>
> Well it should boost the AB win/loss and tries per game ratio.
One might reply that it's because there is a very large gap between the
All Blacks' first lot of tri-nations game and the concluding (and
possibly, definitely as it turned out,) deciding game in Brisbane, and
the All Blacks needed a conditioning game to fill the gap, and Samoa is it.
I hope they provide more resistance than the Chickenhearts of Scotland
gave us at the rugby world cup.
-- rick boyd
Apteryx
news:g969u9$n7g$2...@registered.motzarella.org...
>> Have to question why the NZRU and Samoan RU would want to put the fans
>> though this miss-match...................
>>
>> http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_4056716,00.html
>>
> One might ask why they'd arrange a game for this time of year when they
> should know that many of their players would be unavailable.
On NZ's part that would be to give the team a run during the 4 week gap
between their 2nd to last and last match in this years absurd Tri Nations
schedule. On Samoa's part it would be a rare chance to play NZ (their first
since 2001).
Originally it was going to be Argentina, but they pulled out for the same
reason of player unavailability - and presumably the fact that a big loss
might have cost them in holding on to the crucial 4th place in the IRB
rankings that they need for a 1st seeding in pools in the 2011 RWC.
NZ's purposes probably would have been better served by staging a match
against the NZ Juniors.
Samoa and especially spectators may benefit from the unavailability of the
players in the NH clubs. At the last RWC and this years Pacific Nations Cup
I thought Samoa suffered (and certainly spectators watching them did) from
the fact that they have become new disciples of structured rugby. But it
seems unlikely that they could find any replacement Samoan players playing
rugby in Samoa or NZ who would play as stodgily as that.
--
Apteryx
Lodi
Dave K...Forgot to say. Checked my diwana account a few weeks back and
found I had a truckload of bonus points cos you seed big time and I was
your inviter (I think) so I get bonus points due to your munificence.
Many thank you's.
Lodi
rick boyd
> You only get credit if you avoid slamming them if it's off topic.
> There will be rewards if you resist the temptation. (I used to have a
> Keegan Seal of approval, but that bastard Hore shot it...)
Chortle.
-- rick boyd
Dave Keegan
No, thank you...we have a Lodi shrine beside the computer screen
next to the Uncle Dave voodoo doll and the Afrikaans-English
dictionary..
Keegan...
Dave Keegan
Hey, didn't Scotland beat England in the 6N? I think in didge's
world of games never played that counts as a try to NZ just before
halftime...
Keegan...
Stex
> On Aug 28, 2:41 pm, Mike <mikeloveschampagneandru...@googlemail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > One might ask why they'd arrange a game for this time of year when they
> > should know that many of their players would be unavailable.
>
> > Well it should boost the AB win/loss and tries per game ratio.
>
> I'm not allowed to mention the Mighty All Blacks (TM) anymore.
> Apparently, voodoo rites are carried out against me on a regular basis
> by fans of the Mighty All Blacks (TM) because I am the devil
> incarnate.
Stop big noting yourself, the devil incarnate is Stephen Jones
Stex
rick boyd
> Hey, didn't Scotland beat England in the 6N? I think in didge's
> world of games never played that counts as a try to NZ just before
> halftime...
The six nations is not a tournament, just a random collection of
meaningless friendlies. The Mighty White Machine earned a silver medal
in the only competition that counts and on a talented players per
medal basis that makes them Champions Of The Entire Universe in
Relative Dimensions of Time and Space.
-- rick boyd
Uncle Dave
Sorry, I'm getting confused here. I can understand why you would want
a hard game before a 3N game because it is, after all, very important
there being a few dozen of them each year. For the worthless lottery
of a tournament that is the RWC, surely you would welcome lightweight
opponents in order to ensure everyone gets through unscathed before
the real business of Spring/Autumn tours starts? I was under the
impression that NZ is traditionally allocated an easy pool is so that
they an stay intact for the rigours of real rugby later in the year.
I'm trying my best, so please help.
UD
Uncle Dave
> On Aug 29, 8:16 am, Dave Keegan <ru...@budweiser.com> wrote:
>
> > Hey, didn't Scotland beat England in the 6N? I think in didge's
> > world of games never played that counts as a try to NZ just before
> > halftime...
>
> The six nations is not a tournament, just a random collection of
> meaningless friendlies.
Now I *am* getting confused...
UD
Google Bully
Boy, those nasty All black really hurt you bad eh Dave?
Oh and for the record, we lost once in the important tournament, you
lost twice.
See we like to win all games, and we do this better than you, RWC or
not.
Uncle Dave
>
> Boy, those nasty All black really hurt you bad eh Dave?
> Oh and for the record, we lost once in the important tournament, you
> lost twice.
> See we like to win all games, and we do this better than you, RWC or
> not.
The Mighty All Blacks (TM) are, without doubt, the True World
Champions (R) - I don't doubt that. I think you should sue the IRB
for insisting on affording that epithet to the winners of the four
yearly knockabout. Is there no justice?!
UD
Andrew Dunford
"Uncle Dave" <david...@t-online.de> wrote in message
news:661d7c7c-02d2-45ab...@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
It's official: you have now turned into a poor man's Nigel.
Congratulations.
Andrew
rick boyd
Troll.
-- rick boyd
Charles
wrote:
Definitely an extreme case of the pot calling the kettle black.
The Group's most prolific and persistent "troll" is now adopting the
tactics of a demented parrot...
...further indication that Ricky doesn't like it up him, as he resorts
again to avoiding those with whom he can't cope.
Have a great weekend you silly old fart - you know I intend to!! ;o)
TFIF!
Uncle Dave
>
> The Group's most prolific and persistent "troll" is now adopting the
> tactics of a demented parrot...
I love it. I have vision of Rick with a parrot's plume on his head
nodding back and forth and screeching "troll".
Ha ha. Nice one.
UD
Mike
He only shot it to keep it quiet.
Mike
rick boyd
> Sorry, I'm getting confused here.
No you're not, you're being a troll as usual, Dave.
> I can understand why you would want
> a hard game before a 3N game because it is, after all, very important
> there being a few dozen of them each year. For the worthless lottery
> of a tournament that is the RWC, surely you would welcome lightweight
> opponents in order to ensure everyone gets through unscathed before
> the real business of Spring/Autumn tours starts? I was under the
> impression that NZ is traditionally allocated an easy pool is so that
> they an stay intact for the rigours of real rugby later in the year.
>
> I'm trying my best, so please help.
I am not a psychologist so I am unlikely to be of much help to you.
But in the short term, just repeat this mantra until it is imprinted in
your synapses.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
EVERY TEST THE ALL BLACKS PLAY IS IMPORTANT AND WE WANT TO WIN IT.
-- rick boyd
rick boyd
I have a vision of Dave not being a troll. A man can dream...
-- rick boyd
Charles
wrote:
>Uncle Dave wrote:
...how about this for a dream Ricky old chum?
You stop your interminable smart-arsed "trolling" antics, and then
those of the Group disposed to responding in similar manner by way of
reciprocation, will really admire your input, sit back in awe at your
perspicacity, leave you to be a sage unopposed - and peace will reign
henceforth in perpetuity.
Now that's a dream...
...dream on!!
HAGW!!
TFIF!
Google Bully
Theres a straw man waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a straw man waiting in the sky
He told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me:
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie