Reply to: People who keep you on the line and then let you down

[Mich the Tester]

Yeah - might be better if you just take it!

But - think of how it was in the early 80's when it was skinny white boys doing it for NZ... you could well take those fella's!!

Yep. In fact the physical difference in the last 20 years or so is so great that international teams of that era would be wiped off the park by many amateur club sides these days.

[cailin maith]

A haka, probably, yes, and I shall have to lead the team to stand up to it and take the challenge. OK with me; I’m not a lily-livered Dutchman.

Oh, and no, I won’t be doing a Morris dance to take the piss.

Legend has it that Fran Cotton, England prop of old, at the great North of England vs New Zealand match of 1979 where the North beat the All Blacks, shouted at his players ‘look at those dancing poofters’ as the All Blacks did their haka. One of the backs said ‘steady on Fran, they heard that’. Of course, Fran Cotton was a big ugly bastard made of granite. I’m made of flesh and bones.

Yeah - might be better if you just take it!

But - think of how it was in the early 80's when it was skinny white boys doing it for NZ... you could well take those fella's!!

[Mich the Tester]

Will they do a Hakka?

A haka, probably, yes, and I shall have to lead the team to stand up to it and take the challenge. OK with me; I’m not a lily-livered Dutchman.

Oh, and no, I won’t be doing a Morris dance to take the piss.

Legend has it that Fran Cotton, England prop of old, at the great North of England vs New Zealand match of 1979 where the North beat the All Blacks, shouted at his players ‘look at those dancing poofters’ as the All Blacks did their haka. One of the backs said ‘steady on Fran, they heard that’. Of course, Fran Cotton was a big ugly bastard made of granite. I’m made of flesh and bones.

[cailin maith]

Among other teams, we shall be playing against this lot, so I think you'll understand that I can't be doing with namby-pamby girly woofters who cry off with weak excuses.

Will they do a Hakka?

[Mich the Tester]

I hope it goes well anyway mate.

Among other teams, we shall be playing against this lot, so I think you'll understand that I can't be doing with namby-pamby girly woofters who cry off with weak excuses.

[cailin maith]

I like watching rugby: the players tend to have nice bums

Oh God yeah... me and my sis were sitting pitchside (thank you Dad!!) when Gordon D'Arcy ripped his shorts and changed them on the pitch... OMG, nice ass!!

[cailin maith]

The best response to that was invented by the legendary Ireland second row Willie John McBride, who captained the Lions in SA in the 70s. Any Lion got any hassle at all would shout ‘99’ and every Lion was to punch the nearest SA player. JPR Williams sprinted 50 yards from full back and floored a SA second row with one punch.

Not a pretty sight, but a rugby team that has that kind of unity will always do well.

Legend!!

Love it... might try it out on OS next time I see him!

[Halo Jones]

I like watching rugby: the players tend to have nice bums

[Mich the Tester]

That's what makes it so good.

I remeber one of my first ever matches at Lansdowne Road being apalled at some fella getting kicked in the head in a ruck.. my Da said... "aragh - it's a friendly kick in the head" - well assuming it's NH teams it's friendly when it's SH, you can't trust them boyos and OS... I know you are reading this.... dirty saffa

The best response to that was invented by the legendary Ireland second row Willie John McBride, who captained the Lions in SA in the 70s. Any Lion got any hassle at all would shout ‘99’ and every Lion was to punch the nearest SA player. JPR Williams sprinted 50 yards from full back and floored a SA second row with one punch.

Not a pretty sight, but a rugby team that has that kind of unity will always do well.

[Churchill]

True. Lady Tester’s not keen on it either as she says rugby’s just a bunch of big guys beating each other up on a pitch, to which I respond ‘yeah, so what.’ I was a rugby player when she met me, have been a rugby player since and have always made it clear that I never turn down any opportunity I get to play, so she lives with it. Some men need to emancipate themselves, the big girls’ blouses.

I hope it goes well anyway mate.

[cailin maith]

True. Lady Tester’s not keen on it either as she says rugby’s just a bunch of big guys beating each other up on a pitch, to which I respond ‘yeah, so what.’ I was a rugby player when she met me, have been a rugby player since and have always made it clear that I never turn down any opportunity I get to play, so she lives with it. Some men need to emancipate themselves, the big girls’ blouses.

That's what makes it so good.

I remeber one of my first ever matches at Lansdowne Road being apalled at some fella getting kicked in the head in a ruck.. my Da said... "aragh - it's a friendly kick in the head" - well assuming it's NH teams it's friendly when it's SH, you can't trust them boyos and OS... I know you are reading this.... dirty saffa

[Mich the Tester]

I agree it's damn annoying. Whenever I have a dinner party I overbook by 30% because I can bank on that many last-minute cancellations (admittedly, my cooking is appalling).

If your cooking’s that bad they should turn up and bring some pizzas. Calling off at the last minute without a bloody good reason is bad manners, and in my books, the hallmark of an oik.

[thunderlizard]

I agree it's damn annoying. Whenever I have a dinner party I overbook by 30% because I can bank on that many last-minute cancellations (admittedly, my cooking is appalling).

[Mich the Tester]

Seen similar across a range of hols, golf trips, footy etc. You will usually find a wife/long term woman/kids in the background. Now, they won't be so blatant as to ban the bloke from going (although some will) but it will be the subtle comments, digs and consequences from previous outings that are designed to make them feel guilty about the time/money involved and come to the decision that it isn't a great idea after all.
Add to this a few who are no longer up for the requirements of lads on tour (especially rugby) and they will play the family card to duck out. Forget about anything said with beer in hand and other blokes about.
Double all this for any bloke over 35 and not single.

True. Lady Tester’s not keen on it either as she says rugby’s just a bunch of big guys beating each other up on a pitch, to which I respond ‘yeah, so what.’ I was a rugby player when she met me, have been a rugby player since and have always made it clear that I never turn down any opportunity I get to play, so she lives with it. Some men need to emancipate themselves, the big girls’ blouses.

[lukemg]

Seen similar across a range of hols, golf trips, footy etc. You will usually find a wife/long term woman/kids in the background. Now, they won't be so blatant as to ban the bloke from going (although some will) but it will be the subtle comments, digs and consequences from previous outings that are designed to make them feel guilty about the time/money involved and come to the decision that it isn't a great idea after all.
Add to this a few who are no longer up for the requirements of lads on tour (especially rugby) and they will play the family card to duck out. Forget about anything said with beer in hand and other blokes about.
Double all this for any bloke over 35 and not single.