Public Address | Cafe | Speaker: Players to Pray For https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/ en-us Copyright (c) 2026 Public Address Bob Munro https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28978#post28978 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28978#post28978

And as for Stellenbosch, who is that idiot?

Paddy O'Brien apparently.

]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:32:59 +1300 Hadyn Green https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28975#post28975 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28975#post28975

When it comes to the crunch, les Bleus know how to lift their game, and there's no bigger deciding match than against the ABs in the quarters.

Actually when it comes to the crunch, France fold like tissue. When there's nothing to lose they play like geniuses (ie. the 1999…

]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:21:01 +1300 Bob Munro https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28952#post28952 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28952#post28952 Stellenbosch rools! ]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:56:37 +1300 Lisa Clist https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28903#post28903 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28903#post28903

And yes, I think the All Blacks will run right over France in Cardiff. It won't even be close. Apart from the relative merits of the two teams on the field, there will be the crowd.

I'm very nervous about playing the RWC hosts, especially after seeing the crowd up…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:47:19 +1300 Rob Stowell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28877#post28877 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28877#post28877 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:35:46 +1300 Rob Stowell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28876#post28876 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28876#post28876 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:32:18 +1300 Peter Darlington https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28875#post28875 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28875#post28875

I've even ordered in an extra George Forman so the bacon isn't to unhealthy.

Ordering an extra George Forman makes it sound like some kind of completely brilliant junk food. "Yo, my man, gimme two Royales with cheese and an extra George Forman on the side' etc...

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:26:57 +1300 Tom Semmens https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28871#post28871 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28871#post28871 I've got twelve friends coming over for a Sunday morning pajama party. There will be home made donuts, pancakes with maple syrup, and my friend Amy's world famous lemon muffins & champers before kick off, followed by the full bacon, eggs and hash browns number at fulltime.

That way if the…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:47:41 +1300 Bob Munro https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28870#post28870 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28870#post28870 And trying that again...
At least we should be able to sit back and enjoy this.

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:45:29 +1300 Bob Munro https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28869#post28869 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28869#post28869 this. ]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:40:58 +1300 Richard Llewellyn https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28868#post28868 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28868#post28868

I am starting to wonder if I can even handle watching any of our big games live

I know exactly what you mean.

Sunday morning I'll be wearing my lucky undies, socks, and t-shirt, waving rabbits feet around, and thinking about taking the kids to yum cha instead of pacing…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:37:57 +1300 Danielle https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28866#post28866 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28866#post28866 Forget 'frisson of nervousness': I am already in my completely illogical high panic mode.

(I am starting to wonder if I can even handle watching any of our big games live. Perhaps on Sunday I'll just hide in the kitchen until it's over, making some sort of enormous, distracting breakfast…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:24:36 +1300 simon g https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28862#post28862 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28862#post28862 Before we plan the victory parade (again), here's a quick quotes quiz. Name the two writers, the year, and fill in the blanks.

1) __There's a new natural law in the universe, as undeniable as gravity. The All Blacks can't be beaten by the AAA. It's one of the new…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:25:08 +1300 Kyle Matthews https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28861#post28861 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28861#post28861

Nah. I thought it clearly bounced on the line and was therefore in goal.

I feel the need to see video of this, clearly it's the major controversy of the weekend! Someone youtube it.

Bouncing on the line wouldn't matter at all as far as I know. The question would…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:13:34 +1300 Richard Irvine https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28858#post28858 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28858#post28858 Hey thanks for the link, eh :)

It's a tribute to GH and his coaches that the prospect (and it's still just a prospect) of playing without Carter has not turned into panic in the streets, and rugby fans leaping off tall buildings. Their rotation policy (although rotation is too…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:40:31 +1300 LegBreak https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28853#post28853 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28853#post28853 There's just that question mark about Evans in a pressure situation; especially goal-kicking (costing the Highlanders 2 games this year)

Who has he started a test againstvto date?

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:04:43 +1300 Paul Rowe https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28851#post28851 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28851#post28851 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.

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:53:36 +1300 Paul Rowe https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28850#post28850 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28850#post28850

I suppose the different approaches to the game – top down control in NZ, bottom up in Europe – reflect the different marketing imperatives of the professional game in the two hemispheres.

Yes, the "us & them" nature of the game's administration is short-sighted in the extreme. It's as if the…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:50:08 +1300 WH https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28849#post28849 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28849#post28849 Its good to see Nick Evans get some recognition. Carter hasn't quite been the same since coming back from injury (duly noting his games against the Lions). Maybe Carter and Evans could play first and second-five once McAlister and Mauger leave for overseas.

The AB backline looks dangerous from broken…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:49:21 +1300 Tom Semmens https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28847#post28847 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28847#post28847 "...not sure if the European club competitions can be blamed for this drop in standards.."

Well I can't think of any other reason. They seem to lack inventive players in the key positions (because those players are all imports in their club sides?) and to me the general lack of…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:10:30 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28845#post28845 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28845#post28845

While I don't want to tempt fate, I think the 'key player' worry has become almost superfluous under the 3 wise men – if we lose a game at this tournament I doubt it will be because an individual player – even Richie – was missed.

And that was always…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:00:55 +1300 Richard Llewellyn https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28843#post28843 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28843#post28843 Oops, meant, if for example Schalk Burger got injured

Hopefully we will never need to know if the irreplaceables can be replaced :)

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:58:43 +1300 Richard Llewellyn https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28842#post28842 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28842#post28842

Huge gap between Richie and Masoe RL.

Oh don't get me wrong LB, I'm not trying to suggest otherwise, but I think the cartel have been at great pains to try and insulate themselves from players becoming irreplaceable, and even should the unthinkable happen, I'd like to think we can…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:57:08 +1300 LegBreak https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28841#post28841 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28841#post28841 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:54:52 +1300 LegBreak https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28840#post28840 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28840#post28840 Huge gap between Richie and Masoe RL.

RB, not sure if the European club competitions can be blamed for this drop in standards. Look at Argentina since their players got involved there. Even Fiji and Tonga have some players there.

For me, it's the negative way their test teams are…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:53:39 +1300 Richard Llewellyn https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28839#post28839 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28839#post28839

And yes, I think the All Blacks will run right over France in Cardiff. It won't even be close

By hokey I hope you are right – I have a tiny frisson of nervousness, related entirely to an underperforming France having their backs to the wall, and being away from…

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:45:03 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28836#post28836 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28836#post28836

Not to start a controversy, but I'm not sure about the carried back decision. I thought the ball just lingered short of the line.

Nah. I thought it clearly bounced on the line and was therefore in goal.

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:29:21 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28835#post28835 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28835#post28835

In sum, it seems the impact of the clubs on rugby in Europe has lead to a steep decline in the international game over there.

Yet if you read the post-mortems in the British press, that's not really foremost in their minds.

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:28:33 +1300 Tom Semmens https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28834#post28834 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28834#post28834 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:26:03 +1300 Rob Stowell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28830#post28830 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28830#post28830 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:51:24 +1300 LegBreak https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28829#post28829 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28829#post28829 Add Ali Williams to the list players to pray for; locking stocks still look bare.

And I guess Mils should be added to the 2nd tier list too, because he covers the 2 back positions we're weakest at.

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:09:18 +1300 Public Address https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28828#post28828 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/speaker-players-to-pray-for/?p=28828#post28828 Discussion from blog post.

]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:09:18 +1300