British Forum BETTING thread

I aren't (and never was) a Carling fan - either as a man or as a player.... but he certainly was 100% right in that instance.

Andrew has always come across to me as a bumsniffer, the sort who will do whatever it takes to get into the top position..... Stuart Barnes was a better player than him, as was Grayson from about '94 onwards, never mind other guys being better coaches - can't be bothered naming them, there are that many

Removing Brian Ashton was a shocking call. Granted, some of the rugby we played (barring the semi against France and to a lesser extent the final) was awful, it was necessary with the players at his disposal to succeed - and succeed they did.

 

Fair enough, I thought you thought it too short.

Hopefully be around 1/2+ on BF (if it happens), I may have some of that. : )

 

Well the World Cup winning team wasn't exactly known for setting the world alight with great running rugby but nobody is going to remember that in a few years time.

England/and any other team for that matter, should play to their strengths. Eng have always had a big, dominant forward pack for as long as I can remember - they need to go back to that.

 

I wouldn't say we have a dominant pack though..... we have a group of big po-po's who shuffle around getting in the way of the backs.

The '03 team was generally forward orientated, but at least the majority of the pack were rugby players, Woodman, Thompson and the back row could all play - this lot just look like a bunch of Arreolas wearing England jerseys

Argentina had the better of us pretty much throughout, it was a bit of good fortune that got us the try, otherwise it would have been a draw.

Something needs to be done - get the younger players playing competitive rugby instead of under-age internationals against the likes of Spanish and Italian under-age sides.

 

There are no real quick fixes. We have been looking for one of those since the 1970s!

 

To be fair the last point I made is a general theme with European rugby players.

On Wales, you had a cracking set of players about ten years ago......

Jenks
Howley
Gibbs
The Quinnells
Wyatt
Howarth - albeit as Welsh as Barack Obama
Taylor
Williams
Dafydd James
Thomas

etc etc

 

They weren't really a team though. We had a great "spine" in Garin Jenkins at 2, Chris Wyatt at 5, Quinnell at 8, Howley at 9 and Jenkins at 10 but nothing much beyond that. They certainly underachieved though.

Scott Gibbs is possibly the most over-rated rugby player I have ever known. He lost the ball in contact about 50% of the time.

 

They're a "sleeping giant".

 

U odviously lack knowledge in the league game.... we beat the world champions and were leading aguably the greatest ever rugby league side to grace a field for 60 minutes .... we have two young half backs who could be something really special and in Burgess and Graham we have two enforcers who would scare most sides ..... the futures bright in the league game....

 

I hate to disparage our victory, but did you really think the Kiwis were up for it, being perfectly honest?

Most times we beat those sides and the victories are amazing, I'm thinking the 1st test against the Aussies in 1994 and 2001 over here, then that amazing display by Long in 2006....... that just seemed a bit hollow.

That Aussie side wasn't THAT great - the outside backs were awesome, but Thurston isn't Johns, Lockyer at #6 isn't Fittler..... and the forwards were 'good' at best, being shoved around by an overrated (IMO - he always has been) Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock.

Some of our players would shine there, Sam will do great next season, Eillis has as well, I'd like to see more going over to learn about their way of doing things.

What do you think was the best ever Aussie team..... I'm thinking the '82 invincibles?

 

What happened in the last 20 minutes? Australia thoroughly outclassed England, England sadly don't possess near the athleticism, ingenuity or class of Australian side.

 

Here's one for you lads. Just before the Hatton/Pacquiao fight I was convinced this is what would happen..... Hatton gets beat and then he will have a final fight against De La hoya at Wembley and will get knocked out.

Recently with all thse grumblings going on i've started thinking about this a bit again and i'm thinking of putting a bet on it :huh

Anybody else think that A. This will happen B. I'll get a good price ??

 

What do people think of Kessler 1/2 on against Ward. I'm not a huge fan of Kessler, but this looks a little tempting.