That time of year again, Bledisloe

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Originally Posted by bob10

Let you in on a little secret. When Cooper played against the All Blacks, there was a bit of history. Some native All blacks wanted his head. Every time they ran past him, they threatened him, he lost the plot, went to water. I don't want to see him in a Wallaby jumper again. Just a personal observation, Bob

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I'm sorry Bob, I just don't get that. Are we talking sport or some tribal, unlawful warfare? Cooper gave McCaw a few touch ups, and in many folks eyes McCaw deserved it, and now they want his head?! Isn't that their fear? I'd love to see some of those guys step in the ring with Cooper ... front on and no cheap shots! Don't matter how big and bad anybody looks, if you've fought professionally, it means nothing unless the other guy has the same cred. Or are you referring to something else?


So if a Wallaby gets threatened, he should be removed? What about some of the disgusting players that have worn that black shirt in the past ... Mr Low comes to mind. Plenty of Aussies wanted his head ...so he should have left the AB team? If sport gets that bad ... we should just give up. Or are you referring to how he reacted in the past when threatened?


Cooper historically went to water on many occasions, as have many players, he also did stupid antagonistic things, but my point was, he seemed to be becoming more aggressive, more assertive and more consistent. I think it was a combination of things coming together to help his confidence but certainly to do with his time in the ring. He was far from perfect but a weapon when on fire and supported. Watching most of the Reds games this season, he screwed up out of a want to get stuff moving ... the same move that would be lauded if it came off! I witnessed Cooper put down some of the hardest hits I've ever seen ... front on, no BS! I think he was changing for the better ... McCaw on the other hand ... first game I saw him play against the Reds this season ... fouled and penalised within minutes of the start ... same old style, same old tactics ... cost his team points!!!


Can you explain this dark undertone a little better, or am I missing the point completely?


Thanks,

Kev.

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Originally Posted by Celtoid

Can you explain this dark undertone a little better, or am I missing the point completely?


Thanks,

Kev.

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My NZ friends tell me there was a woman involved. Nothing to do with rugby. The payback was to happen off the field. Bob

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Originally Posted by bob10

My NZ friends tell me there was a woman involved. Nothing to do with rugby. The payback was to happen off the field. Bob

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Ah .....

Three sides to every story Bob .... "Yours, Mine and the Truth" ... so the saying goes.

Anyway ...

Cheers mate.

The ARU paid for personal security for the Wallabies, [ I believe]. My brothers partners brother [ Ok , I know] was tasked with baby sitting Cooper, Of course he could not/ would not give details, except to suggest Cooper was a handful. Bob

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Originally Posted by bob10

The ARU paid for personal security for the Wallabies, [ I believe]. My brothers partners brother [ Ok , I know] was tasked with baby sitting Cooper, Of course he could not/ would not give details, except to suggest Cooper was a handful. Bob

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I wasn't doubting the facts you presented Bob, I was merely referring to the murky world of truth when there are women and men involved in an intimate situation, that turns ugly.


I have no idea about the event you are referring to but there are millions of stories about two consenting adults getting together and then a pooh storm occurs afterwards.


There have also been lots of accusations against footballers of all codes regarding sexual misconduct. Many are true, plenty have been found to be false due to various reasons.


As I said, I know nothing of the event, was just proffering an old adage.


Cheers,


Kev.

I guess the comments aimed at Richie Mcaw are somewhat correct but at the same time can anyone name a better number 7 in world rugby? His tactics are nothing new yet the wallabies still have not worked out how to stop it.

Every year the Australian press has a big sook in the papers and to the IRB about how Richie is a cheat and bends the rules.But the wallabies are the only country that says anything.SouthAfrica,England,Ireland,Wales,France, Argentina, have worked out how to deal with him and return fire without dropping the bottom lip.

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Originally Posted by disco man

I guess the comments aimed at Richie Mcaw are somewhat correct but at the same time can anyone name a better number 7 in world rugby? His tactics are nothing new yet the wallabies still have not worked out how to stop it.

Every year the Australian press has a big sook in the papers and to the IRB about how Richie is a cheat and bends the rules.But the wallabies are the only country that says anything.SouthAfrica,England,Ireland,Wales,France, Argentina, have worked out how to deal with him and return fire without dropping the bottom lip.

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I think it has been made clear that the Kiwis and McCaw play world beating rugby. It's been suggested that it would be good to see them play that all through the game, especially when under pressure.

I can't comment on the rest of the world's opinion, but last year was the worst spectacle I can remember seeing.....the Kiwis' had fouled (and been penalised) about a thousand times (obvious exaggeration) in their own half and the mealie mouthed Ref took about a year to actually pull, with a shaking hand, a coloured card out of his pocket. It was nothing short of disgusting. Even Kiwi mates of mine were lacking in their usual unwavering support for their team. Had the Ref stamped his authority, the ABs would have had to play the game, under pressure, in their own half. They may have lost, they may have won but it would have been a much better game to watch.

It's not the oppositions job to stop the other team fouling .... how do you do that? .... it's the Ref's responsibility, to show some balls, get the message across and actually control the game. We've all seen it in the past when you have a crap Ref ... NRL State Of Origin being a classic example ... The game becomes un-entertaining, un-watchable.

Obviously a Ref going too far makes the game just as un-watchable!

If you're giving away penalties, you aren't bending the rules ... you're breaking them. The rules are there to keep the players as safe as practicable and keep the game a spectator worthy sport.

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Originally Posted by Celtoid

I think it has been made clear that the Kiwis and McCaw play world beating rugby. It's been suggested that it would be good to see them play that all through the game, especially when under pressure.

I can't comment on the rest of the world's opinion, but last year was the worst spectacle I can remember seeing.....the Kiwis' had fouled (and been penalised) about a thousand times (obvious exaggeration) in their own half and the mealie mouthed Ref took about a year to actually pull, with a shaking hand, a coloured card out of his pocket. It was nothing short of disgusting. Even Kiwi mates of mine were lacking in their usual unwavering support for their team. Had the Ref stamped his authority, the ABs would have had to play the game, under pressure, in their own half. They may have lost, they may have won but it would have been a much better game to watch.

It's not the oppositions job to stop the other team fouling .... how do you do that? .... it's the Ref's responsibility, to show some balls, get the message across and actually control the game. We've all seen it in the past when you have a crap Ref ... NRL State Of Origin being a classic example ... The game becomes un-entertaining, un-watchable.

Obviously a Ref going too far makes the game just as un-watchable!

If you're giving away penalties, you aren't bending the rules ... you're breaking them. The rules are there to keep the players as safe as practicable and keep the game a spectator worthy sport.

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Well said mate some very good points in there.I will admit Richie gets away with a hell of a lot more than most players why that is i don't know.Generally i find the northern hemisphere refs are the worst.

Personally i think there is far to many penalties and teams from Europe play for them.The IRB needs to reduce a penalty from 3 to 2 points and encourage teams to score try's.Rugby when played in a open style is awesome to watch,but when it's nothing more than teams kicking for goal it's as boring as bat****.

Some of the recent 6 nations games have been very painful to watch.

Two things. Watched Crusaders V Chiefs. What a great game of rugby. And, fare well Will Genia, welcome Nick Frisby. Rugby, a moving feast. Incidentally, No biting, or diving in the throes of pain. But a lot of theatre. Bob

Well its that time of year when the die hard Wallaby supporters get all excited about what might happen when their team runs out to do battle against their humble friendly and all round nice guy Kiwi cousins. ... :twisted:

So Bob and all you long suffering Wallaby supporters what do you reckon is going to happen when the Wallabies meet the All Blacks? ... :angel: