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Green and Gold Rugby

Green and Gold Rugby
A blog for all Wallabies fans to talk, whinge or maybe even one day gloat about anything to do with Australian rugby union, including Rugby World Cup, Tri-Nations, Super 14s

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Articles

Tales of two very different Wallabies
2007-08-22 23:13:00
There are two very different stories in the press at the moment about two Wallabies . One - David Lyons - is quite literally putting his life on the line for his country. The other - Lote Tuqiri - seems to be spinning headlong into the endgame of his union career. The Lyons story I'm finding pretty amazing. Journo's are writing about the blood clot in his calf like it was just a nasty bruise. The... ....follow link for more
More About: Tales , Tale , Diff , Alla

We gonna pop a cap in yo' ass
2007-08-22 19:17:00
There was an interesting article over at The Australian on the weekend reviewing the number of caps that the Wallabies will be taking to the world cup "THE Wallabies will kick off their World Cup campaign by fielding what is thought to be the most experienced international team in rugby history."This factoid in itself is interesting and initially surprising, but should we be dusting down Bill's... ....follow link for more
More About: Gonna

Beer
2007-08-20 11:24:00
With a Rugby World Cup only weeks away, the topic of beer becomes more critical than ever.With regards to getting a decent lager here in the UK, there has been nothing short of a CATASTROPHE in recent weeks. Majestic Wines - the chain of stores that usually stocks VB (the cornerstone of any beer diet) - has run dry.This became a big issue when we actually had a run of more than 3 sunny days a few weeks ago. But then, on what can only be described as true intuition, I popped into my local dark and dingy corner shop to find a supply of Hahn Premium and Tooheys Extra Dry. Unbelievable - two fine Aussie lagers indeed, which you would usually have to pay for special delivery. I bought the guy out twice, to which he hiked the price up. Bastard.Consequently, currently on ice at Chez Matt is Moretti - an Italian beer. Does a very good job of mimicking VB and as it happens is on sale at a certain supermarket at the moment.To creat optimum RWC'07 viewing conditions, which amber nectar will ...
More About: Beer

France vs England - Jauzion try video highlight
2007-08-19 19:30:00
Here's the one try of the night. Note to Knuckles: in the replay, watch how Jauzion gets on Farrell's inside shoulder. I'd love to see Beavis Mortlock doing the same thing in the quarters.
More About: Video , England , France , Highlight , Franc

France vs England - Jauzion try video highlight
2007-08-19 19:30:00
Here's the one try of the night. Note to Knuckles: in the replay, watch how Jauzion gets on Farrell's inside shoulder. I'd love to see Beavis Mortlock doing the same thing in the quarters. ....follow link for more
More About: Video , England , France , Highlight , Franc

Great rugby grounds of the world
2007-08-19 12:52:00
Yet again Nursedude has provided the inspiration for a bit of a ramble:"Of the rugby stadiums that you have been to in OZ and Europe, which ones do you think are the best in terms of sight-lines, and ambiance?"Bloody good question. Here's my personal ranking - let me know what you guys think:1 - Stadio Flaminio, Rome. (pictured above)I saw the Wallabies play the Ities here in November with my dad and a mate. Crap game but brilliant ground/ experience for a number of reasons:It only seats about 20,000 so you're right on top of the action (it's by a famous architect so it'll never get built on).As no-one gives a toss about rugby in Italy, the ground is full of real fans, not corporate tossers so you can just go on line and buy a ticket at face value (impossible @ Twickers)Vendors walk down the isles selling beer, you don't even need to move (note: if you don't want to end up asleep face down on a restaurant table later like me, you might want to ignore them)You're in Rome so th...
More About: World , Great , Rugby , The World , Rounds

France vs England - Result, score, review
2007-08-19 01:20:00
France 22England 9A few too many vinos tonight for a detailed analysis, but at the end of the day, France cantered to this win. Too much class for England's 10 man game. You'll see lots of talk about how Farrell was great. Ignore it, they're dreaming. He was actually pretty ordinary.What was probably most surprising was how the France pack, weighing in at 131 stones vs the 140+ of England, more than held their own in the scrum by keeping low and driving the power through their ram-rod straight backs.Where the French do have their monsters is in the centres; Jauzion and Traille both being 6'4" powerful runners. Jauzion showed his naturally attacking flare by cutting back against the angle and past Farrell's weaker shoulder to score the game's only try. France also demonstrated the depth they have by rotating in 3 new back-rowers, all of world class. Chabal and Betsen, both standouts already this season, weren't even on the bench.With this game, France are starting to show tha...
More About: France , Review , Score , Result

Wales vs Argentina - score, result & mini review
2007-08-18 17:22:00
Wales 27Argentina 20What started off as a lackluster friendly, turned into a hard fought nailbiter at the Millenium Stadium today. At half time, it looked like Wales were running away with it up 27-10. The visitors seemed to be losing all shape and discipline under pressure, almost like we were back in the days when the Pumas were an amateur side. You figured Wales were going to at least stick on another 20 points.However, Los Pumas came back in true latino fashion - mashing with their tight forwards, the wingers stepping and weaving beautifully. In fact, in the final play of the game it took a good call from the TMO to disallow an Argentinian try from an extended run of driving play on the Wales line.James Hook again looked classy, making breaks and setting up tries, although his place kicking was uncharacteristically wayward. I've got to admit though that I was only really watching the game with one eye (friends around) so can't give much more fine detail.From an Aussie point of...
More About: Wales , Review , Mini , Score

France vs England Preview & Teams
2007-08-17 20:03:00
Time for the real dealAfter a season full of B teams and selection trials, tomorrow's clash between two of the Rugby World Cup big names - the hosts vs the holders - promises to be no holds barred. England coach Brian "Yoda" Ashton has said that apart from prop monster Sheridan (out nursing a mozzie bite), this is his first choice side. And if you think Franc e wouldn't mind about losing in Marseilles, think againFor the poms, this is the last hit out before RWC 2007 gets under way, and seeing as last week's loss at 'fortress Twickenham' wasn't in the script, a win on Saturday is vital if they're to have any momentum before defending their hold of 'Bill'.What's really interesting though is to see Ashton's first XV. I'll take my hat off to Yoda, I think he's got it about right, and he's even thrown a little spice into the mix. The key source of the tingle lies in the centres, where he's lived up to his reputation and chosen playmakers over experience.Hipkiss is well and...
More About: Preview , Teams

ARC - we like it, we need it, stuff the journos
2007-08-16 10:10:00
Leading up to the new comp starting, it was an ARC slate-o-rama-fest from all journos concerned against this 'ill-conceived money pit' that would be the 'death of Aussie grass-roots rugby'. One round into the ARC, it's fascinating to watch what's been happening online (which is all I've got up here in the UK - more on that later).First off, the big name Hacks have gone deathly quiet. Hardly a whisper of anything ARC apart from a few score-line and injury reports, and odd tucked away mentions of early signs of the competitions success. Here's a few found buried in the SMH (chief ARC nemesis):"The next surprise was that, despite speculation to the contrary, the game attracted a reasonable crowd. Canberra is a rugby town and officials were pleased with the turnout of 4355.""Down 16-3 early in the second half, the home side scored three tries to two in front of a larger than expected crowd of 3547."On Planet Rugby:"ARU Deputy CEO and ARC Commissioner, Matt Carroll said the stand...
More About: Stuff , Currie Cup

Coatsie's board game guide to the football codes
2007-08-14 09:56:00
In a pub-bound philosophical discussion recently (read piss-up with mates) I made the following formulation as a comparison guide of the football codes. It?s extremely scientific, founded on many years of extensive research as a footyheaded armchair psychologist pouring over reams of literature, and pouring plenty of cold beer down my throat.It?s basis is comparing each of them to an existing board game.So here we go, without any bias (cough) or disrespect intended to any other code of football (cough).Rugby - ChessA very complicated game of strategy which demands a great deal of skill, stamina and resolve. Each piece is different; a variety of shapes, with differing purposes, strengths and powers, with each in turn performing different tasks. Some are sacrificed to make an impact on the opposition, such as the pawns. Sent out early in the game, they are the forward pack. Elaborate strategies are created which can in turn be managed by the opposition or if constructed and executed w...
More About: Football , Board , Guide , Game , Foot

How to tell the football codes apart - by Coatsie
2007-08-14 09:27:00
Dear Matt and readers,In response to a recent post, I took the liberty of replying to the question "what do I think of Rugby League..?"I'm afraid I'm the same as Matt; I?m Rugby through and through. Consequently I see Rugby League as little more than touch-footy with tackles.I know, I know; there?s a lot to the game than what I may see through my one biased eye. There?s the angle running, the creating and running into gaps, and there?s always the player achieving as an individual aspect, but that really exists in all codes of football, in Rugby in particular.There would be no division between the backs and the forwards in Rugby if there wasn?t the individual effort of the Backline players. The Forwards; the Pigs, the engine room, - whatever you want to call it. The lads up front; eight men (or women, let?s be fair) should be ideally working together as one unit, and totally depending on one another. Then there?s each forward going ahead alone, such as in a pick & drive, or in open...
More About: Football , Tell , Foot , Codes , Odes

England World Cup 2007 Squad Announced
2007-08-13 21:50:00
Today the poms - under coach Brian Ashton - announced their 30 man squad to go to France. As these guys could well be more than just a big banana skin in the Wallabies' path at quarter-final time, it's worth having a squiz at who we could be up against. The forwards are a pretty impressive lot with names like Shaw, Sheridan, Stevens, Regan and Dallaglio to name a few. What's missing though is a world class 7; a big omission with some of the open-side names that will be floating around the higher end of the tournament.Far more sketchy is the crew of backs. With Charlie Hodgson, the first choice 10 since Wilkinson's disappearance after the last world cup, still too fresh from injury to make the squad, there's a big hole behind Johnny. There is also what you can only call an unformed mess in the centres. The still to prove himself Farrell makes the cut, as does the new boy Hipkiss and the senior citizen Catt. Noon has proven a stout defender, but not much more and Tait, probably t...
More About: England , World Cup , World , World Cup 2007 , Quad

England vs France result and highlight
2007-08-12 17:09:00
Above - big Phil Vickery gets bitch-slapped by Dimitri SzarzewskiEngland 15 - Franc e 21This was a fascinating clash at Twickenham on Saturday, the key question being whether the English forward centered game plan would be enough to subdue class opposition. The answer, especially pleasing from an Australian viewpoint, is that tight five superiority is not enough for this English team to reign supreme.Because this English pack is a monstrous one, weighing in at 142 stones. The French pack, no pigmies themselves, could only muster 133 stones. And in the tight it showed. The French line-out got turned over in the first half, and their scrum, never looking comfortable, got smashed even on their own ball.But the French, at times surviving on around 35% possession, showed their class on the ball and in defence (two qualities the Wallabies also share). The class with ball in hand resulted in two tries for Les Bleus versus none for the home side.The first, a backs oriented try that Pelous m...
More About: Highlight , Result

England vs France Chabal try highlight
2007-08-12 17:08:00
....follow link for more
More About: England , France , Highlight , Franc

Kirk talks crap
2007-08-10 23:03:00
Just in case you wondered how scarred a few Kiwi psyches are, check this one out.David Kirk , (the only) World Cup winning All Black captain and most one-eyed rugby commentator that I have ever heard, had this really bold statement to make about New Zealand's chance of winning the rugby world cup 2007: "They've got a better than even chance for sure. They're the best team going into the tournament and they're very well balanced."'A better than even chance' - you should bloody hope so. Nothing like playing down your chances to try and avoid more pain though Kirky, just surprising from someone as chipper as you. I think we all know you think it's in the bag.
More About: Crap

Chief idiot strikes again
2007-08-10 20:20:00
When you've had a week at boot camp swimming across lakes in temperatures of 1 degree and route marching through the bush through the night, I think you can be expected to let off a bit of steam. Hey - maybe even until 5.30 in the morning, I mean there's no test next weekend (this time). But why is it that Chief Idiot LT manages to be the always be the one getting himself well and truly neck deep in it time and time again?Widely reported around the traps (Gossiping Greg has gone apoplectic) is how Tuqiri and Dunning got on the piss at a night-club until 4.30 and then went back to their hotel rooms with a couple of girls and two mungos, until 5.30 (one can only speculate whether LT and his mungo mates were initiating the drop kick king into the spit-roasting fraternity). At about that time a taxi driver got his skull fractured outside the hotel and the police decided to take the Wallabies' fingerprints. They've since been ruled out of the taxi driver incident.As I've written bef...

The many faces of Greg
2007-08-09 20:03:00
As pointed out by G&GR readers, everyone's favourite Chief Rugby Correspondent has some pretty variable mug shots out there (haven't we all?). And as they say, every picture says a thousand words.... Greg ory the apprentice Keen as mustard, this picture - taken on his second day at work - captures the apprentice scribe's diligence (cop the specs & tie), ambition and joie de vivre. If he can keep... ....follow link for more
More About: Faces , The Man

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