Phuket Thailand

steve@thaib · #1 24-11-2007, 03:02

..is playing his first game for Sale tonight and as luck would have it it's on the telly. Hope he's as good as he looks when playing for the ABs

steve@thaib · #2 24-11-2007, 05:06

Sucess

, Sale flogged Worcester 34-15 and our new bloke Luke McAllister had a great game, happy daze

retepg · #3 24-11-2007, 12:59

It is interesting to see the younger players from the SH moving over to play in the European leagues.
And by that I mean top players and not just those on the fringes of teams from the SH.
Used to be that the guys would look towards a good pay packet towards the end of their careers and move North, now it seems that well established younger players are prepared to give it a go.
Having watched bits and pieces of the Heineken Cup, I have been impressed with most of what I have seen, last weeks Quins game excluded.
The old question of what is better Super 14 or Heineken Cup come up again.
Being totally bias I would have to say that I still believe the top teams from the Super 14 would be far to strong, but I am sure that a lot would disagree.

steve@thaib · #4 24-11-2007, 16:29

You begin to wonder if rugby is heading the way football has gone. How long before people start to moan that young English players can't get a game etc.

Dan Carter has now said he would like to try his hand over here and, for me, it would be great if he was playing here. And I see it as a smart move for the clubs as well.

retepg · #5 24-11-2007, 17:51

On the other side of the coin.
The big three SH nations have not picked players for national duty who are not playing in the local provincial competitions or in the Super 14...

This may have to change soon, Victor Matfield has put his move to France on hold till he knows who the next Bok coach is and the position regarding playing for his country whilst plying his trade overseas.

nelsonone · #6 26-11-2007, 10:16

maybe Sale can afford Carter at 10 and McAllistar at 12 steve????

McAllistar was a good buy.....he will shine for you there mate!

steve@thaib · #7 26-11-2007, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

maybe Sale can afford Carter at 10 and McAllistar at 12 steve????

McAllistar was a good buy.....he will shine for you there mate!

I think McAlister will step in at 10 while Charlie is away being ruined by England. There isn't really any room for Dan Carter

McAlister took over the kicking in the 2nd half on Friday and slotted them all, He seems as much a 10 as a 12, great for Sale.

steve@thaib · #8 26-11-2007, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by retepg

On the other side of the coin.
The big three SH nations have not picked players for national duty who are not playing in the local provincial competitions or in the Super 14...

This may have to change soon, Victor Matfield has put his move to France on hold till he knows who the next Bok coach is and the position regarding playing for his country whilst plying his trade overseas.

I'm wondering if the All Blacks can stick to thier rigid selection policy? With so many players moving away to Europe can they really just write them off?

nelsonone · #9 27-11-2007, 03:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

I think McAlister will step in at 10 while Charlie is away being ruined by England. There isn't really any room for Dan Carter

McAlister took over the kicking in the 2nd half on Friday and slotted them all, He seems as much a 10 as a 12, great for Sale.

55555....come on Steve....you only half took the bait!!!!........

nelsonone · #10 27-11-2007, 03:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

I'm wondering if the All Blacks can stick to thier rigid selection policy? With so many players moving away to Europe can they really just write them off?

McAllistar will be back well before the next RWC....so will Carter and many of the others of a suitable age/form.....They are AB's first and know the rules......besides their next contract value would drop considerably if they were not AB's....There are plenty of other players here who will fill their shoes if by some miracle they don't.....

besides there is no guarantee that Carter will get his job back at Canterbury.....Stephen Brett has really grown as a player and has shown brilliant form whilst Carter was away....and Carter hasn't really gotten over breaking his leg a while ago and has never shown the form of the Lions tour since

steve@thaib · #11 28-11-2007, 05:22

We are expecting them all to clear off back in a couple of seasons, but we will take that. It's great having them here.