FR- INTERNATIONAL THINK TANK

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

 THIS notice has been published on TR site (http: www.testrugby.com)
  *** STARTING 6 NOVEMBER ***
*** WIN US$$$$ - FREE ENTRY ***
The International Series is going to be a full-on month of fun - pick your team from some of the best talent the world has to offer... Australia,New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, England, Wales, France,Canada, Argentina.... it's going to be HUGE!!
COMING SOON!!!

AND this  draw for International Fixtures in November was flogged from bbc.com


     
November 06, 2004
International Match
Wales   v  South Africa  14:45
Scotland   v  Australia  17:30
     
 
November 12, 2004
Wales   v  Romania  19:00
     
 
November 13, 2004
England   v  Canada  14:30
Italy   v  New Zealand  15:00
Ireland   v  South Africa  15:00
Scotland   v  Japan  15:00
France  v  Australia  20:00
     
 
November 20, 2004
France</a>   v  Argentina  14:00
England   v  South Africa  14:30
Ireland   v  USA  15:00
Wales   v  New Zealand  15:00
Scotland   v   Australia  15:00
     
 
November 26, 2004
Wales   v  Japan  19:00
     
 
November 27, 2004
England   v  Australia  14:30
Ireland   v  Argentina  15:00
Scotland   v  South Africa  15:00
Italy   v  USA  15:00
France  v  New Zealand  20:00
 
which gives us a 4 week comp to enter!!!(NB. times will be GMT.....POM TIMES!!!

I presume it will be similar to most major comps in that it will be a 12 player team comp TR$12 million budget and between 10 and 20 trades. If it's only 10 we will have to be careful with round 1 selections(Nov 6/7) as AB's don't enter till round 2 (12/13) and beware selecting players from teams that appear fewer times in comp.
Wales,SA, Australia,Scotland appear in all four;

England, AB's, Ireland & France in 3(all but round 1)

Argentina,USA,Italy & Japan in 2 & Romania & Canada in 1.

In saying that prices of players in fewer
games should be adjusted down accordingly.
           Comments?
  During this week let's share some players we fancy in these teams. Research on injury status etc is important too

Cheers, BAZ  

[Kobe]

Here is the Bokke team for this week. But not sure if comp starts this week.

Springboks: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Ashwin Willemse, 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Eddie Andrews, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Gerrie Britz, 19 Tim Dlulane, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Jean de Villiers, 22 Brent Russell/Gaffie du Toit.

Haven't heard of Dlulane, but apparently he is to make up the coloured restrictions they have. don't understand why Etinnie Botha isn't playing, he seemed to be a stand out in the CC.

[the red army]

Great idea Baz... will contribute what I can.

Scotland squad is:

Scotland squad:

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Rugby), Ross Beattie (Gwent Dragons), Gordon Bulloch (captain, Glasgow Rugby), Bruce Douglas (The Borders), Ross Ford (The Borders), Scott Gray (The Borders), Stuart Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), Craig Hamilton (Newcastle Falcons), Nathan Hines (Edinburgh Rugby), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes), Donny Macfadyen (Glasgow Rugby), Cameron Mather (Glasgow Rugby), Scott MacLeod (The Borders), Jon Petrie (Glasgow Rugby), Robbie Russell (Saracens), Craig Smith (Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Smith (Northampton Saints), Jason White (Sale Sharks).

Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby), Andy Craig (Glasgow Rugby), Chris Cusiter (The Borders), Simon Danielli (The Borders), Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Rugby), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Rugby), Ben Hinshelwood (Worcester), Robbie Kydd (Saracens), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Rugby), S Moffat (The Borders), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Rugby), Dan Parks (Glasgow Rugby), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby), Sam Pinder (Glasgow Rugby), Gordon Ross (Leeds Tykes), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby), Simon Webster (Edinburgh Rugby).

Notable omission is their best high scorer - Taylor at No 8 although their only other scorer, Patterson is in there. Other than that I wouldn't rate too many of them in TR

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

Thanks Kobe ,TRA!

Comp up and running now. See for yourself.
testrugby.com
 Cheers,   BAZ  

P.S. You only have SA, OZ, Wales, Scotland & Italy to chose from for this weekend's round.

Tip- My first pick would be Schalk Burger if he's playing

[the red army]

Aussie team to play Scotland is:

Australia team: C Latham; C Rathbone, S Mortlock, M Giteau, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); B Young, J Paul, A Baxter, J Harrison, D Vickerman, G Smith, P Waugh, J Roe.
Replacements: M Dunning, B Cannon, M Chisholm, D Lyons, E Flatley, M Rogers, W Sailor.

My strategy would be to put in a fair number of Australian and SA players as both those teams are playing all 4 first rounds.

[the red army]

For my money in the Aussie team I like the prices of Paul and Roe...although expect them to lose their positions if they do not perform against Scotland. I find that Paul seems to always score well in TR.

Mortlock is a good scorer but expensive and prone to injury. I expect the Aussie coach will interchange many players once they get a score up against the Scots so study the interchange bench for probable moves there.

[the red army]

Wales: G Thomas (Toulouse, capt); H Luscombe (Dragons), S Parker (Ospreys), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Clermont-Auvergne), D Peel (Scarlets); D Jones (Ospreys), S Jones (Dragons), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), M Owen (Dragons), D Jones (Scarlets), C Charvis (Newcastle), R Jones (Ospreys).
Replacements: M Davies (Neath), G Jenkins (Blues), L Charteris (Dragons), M Williams (Blues), M Phillips (Scarlets), C Sweeney (Dragons), T Shanklin (Blues).

South Africa: P Montgomery (Dragons); B Paulse (Western Province), M Joubert (Western Province), De Wet Barry (Western Province), A Willemse (Lions); J van der Westhuizen (NEC), F du Preez (Blue Bulls); Os du Randt (Free State Cheetahs), J Smit (Natal Sharks), E Andrews (Western Province), B Botha (Blue Bulls), V Matfield (Blue Bulls), S Burger (Western Province), J Smith (Free State Cheetahs), J van Niekerk (Western Province).
Replacements: H Shimange (Western Province); CJ van der Linde (Free State), G Britz (Free State Cheetahs), T Dlulane (Pumas), M Claassens (Free State Cheetahs), J de Villiers (Western Province), B Russell (Natal) / G du Toit (Western Province).

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

Some more cheap players (but maybe not bargains!)

Scotland: 15. Stuart Moffat, 14. Sean Lamont, 13. Graeme Morrison, 12. Andy Henderson, 11. Chris Paterson, 10. Dan Parks, 9.  Chris Cusiter, 8. Allister Hogg, 7. Donnie Macfadyen, 6. Scott Gray, 5. Scott MacLeod, 4. Nathan Hines, 3. Bruce Douglas, 2. Gordon Bulloch (capt), 1.Allan Jacobsen.  Reserves: Ross Ford, Craig Smith, Alastair Kellock, Jon Petrie, Mike Blair, Andy Craig, Hugo Southwell.

Sorry fellas haven't found Italian 22 yet!?!
Cheers BAZ     I fancy McLeod & Gray as new caps !!!

[the red army]

I Have Baz...but it was in Italian....ROFL

L&#8217;Aquila &#8211; Stadio &#8220;Tommaso Fattori&#8221;
Sabato 6 novembre &#8211; ore 15.00 (diretta tv La7 dalle ore 14.00)
Jaguar Test Match
ITALIA - CANADA
ITALIA: 15 Kaine ROBERTSON; 14 Ludovico NITOGLIA, 13 Gonzalo CANALE, 12 Andrea MASI, 11 Denis DALLAN; 10 Rima WAKARUA, 9 Paul GRIFFEN; 8 David DAL MASO, 7 Mauro BERGAMASCO, 6 Aaron PERSICO; 5 Marco BORTOLAMI (cap), 4 Santiago DELLAPE&#8217;; 3 Salvatore PERUGINI, 2 Fabio ONGARO, 1 Andrea LO CICERO
A disposizione:
16 Giorgio INTOPPA, 17 Salvatore COSTANZO, 18 Enrico PAVANELLO, 19 Silvio ORLANDO, 20 Pietro TRAVAGLI, 21 Luciano ORQUERA, 22 Walter POZZEBON

CANADA: 15 Quentin FYFFE; 14 Michael PYKE, 13 John CANNON, 12 Marco DI GIROLAMO, 11 Stirling RICHMOND; 10 Jared BARKER, 9 Ed FAIRHURTS; 8 Stan MCKEEN, 7 Mike WEBB, 6 Jamie CUDMORE; 5 Colin YUKES, 4 Mike BURAK; 3 Garth COOKE, 2 Mark LAWSON (co-cap), 1 Mike TKACHUK (co-cap)
A disposizione:
16 Aaron ABRAMS, 17 Forrest GAINER, 18 Dan PLETCH, 19 Josh JACKSON, 20 Pat FLECK, 21 Ryan SMITH, 22 Derek DAYPUCK

Arbitro: Lyndon BRAY (NZL)
G.d.L.: Andrew COLE (AUS), Jonathan KAPLAN (RSA)
T.M.O.: Roy MAYBANK (ENG)

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

John Kirwan, Italy's national coach, has announced his starting team for Saturday's Test with Canada at the Stadio Tommaso Fattori in L'Aquila. He has included a new cap Ludovico Nitoglia on the right wing.  
 
Nitoglia, who has only just turned 21, plays for Calvisano. He is 1.79 m tall and weighs 83 kg.

There are also two uncapped players on the bench - 23-year-old flyhalf Luciano Orquera of Petrarca and 23-year-old scrumhalf Pietro Travagli of Viadana. The latter selection was made necessary when Alessandro Troncon withdrew form the squad when Kirwan made Marco Bortolami captain in his place. It will be the first  time on the bench for Orquera and Travagli.

Italy and Canada have played four times, each country winning twice.

Italian team: 15 Kaine Robertson, 14 Ludovico Nitoglia, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Denis Dallan, 10 Rima Wakarua, 9 Paul Griffen, 8 David Dal Maso, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Aaron Persico, 5 Marco Bortolami (captain), 4 Santiago Dellapè’, 3 Salvatore Perugini, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero
Replacements: 16 Giorgio Intoppa, 17 Salvatore Costanzo, 18 Enrico Pavanello, 19 Silvio Orlando, 20 Pietro Travagli, 21 Luciano Orquera, 22 Walter Pozzebon

Ric Suggit, the Canadian coach, has also announced his starting line-up with its co-captains who are both in the front row.:

Canada: 15 Quentin Fyffe, 14 Michael Pyke, 13 John Cannon, 12 Marco Di Girolamo, 11 Stirling Richmond, 10 Jared Barker, 9 Ed Fairhurts, 8 Stan McKeen, 7 Mike Webb, 6 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Colin Yukes, 4 Mike Burak, 3 Garth Cooke, 2 Mark Lawson (co-captain), 1 Mike Tkachuk (co-captain)
Replacements: 16 Aaron Abrams, 17 Forrest Gainer, 18 Dan Pletch, 19 Josh Jackson, 20 Pat Fleck, 21 Ryan Smith, 22 Derek Daypuck

Date: 6 November 2004
Kick-off: 15.00
Venue: Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L’Aquila
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Andrew Cole (Australia), Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assessor: Frans Muller (South Africa)
Television match official: Roy Maybank (England)

THANKS, TRA ! I spent the late afternoon translating it !!!!!      PHEW!


It's a pity that some players notably Matt Rogers & Nitolgia hasn't a price yet though I emailed Commish yesterday!?

Am hoping !!!???!!!  
GOOD PICKING, FELLAS !

Cheers, BAZ  

[the red army]

Good luck Baz...

May a Rugbyheads supporter do the business !!!

TRA

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

My sentiments exactly, TRA!  

 I've got a tail on WASHINGTON without his knowing !

However, Xtra Boys have a lock on their door!  

They are paranoic about good spies like Kobe & I  

              GL for Round 1, fellas.  
  I think I'm gonna use a lotta trades next round          

          Cheers, BAZ    

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

Look what the cat dragged in to our den at TR?  

Picko's boys are trying intimidation tactics! Sent 3 heavies over

Would be nice to beat the s*** our of them right where they are

ON OUR PATCH!!!!!!

Let's do the job where it's most effective......
ON THE WS PAGE!!!

Might need to plan tactics from here though !  

Hot tip of the week....Mark Cueto (English RW on debut  v. Canada) listed as a LOCK (mistakenly) for only TR$495,000 ........but get aboard before he rises much more !!!..........and that he will when PB latch on .....it's called playing them at their own game!  

Cheers, Baz  

[the red army]

Thanks Baz...picked up on that too.

I think Tuailii is a good buy at his price but if he doesn't perform they will dump him.

A good, cheap winger who I watched in the Wales game last week was Hal Luscombe. Made some good runs and apart from a couple of average tackles, scored well. he might do ok against the Romanians... If you are in a corner and want a good cheap winger who will get some points...check him out. Another good value player is Dwayne Peel.

Note that Ireland have the USA next round, so get in early on their players this week if you are considering any (O'gara and their winger Murphy are worth a look) because they will score heaps next week (strategy tip)

GL Baz and RHers

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

Last week the ideal team(hindsight) would have scored 4585 points  (& only cost TR$11,632,500 to boot!)

     Montgomery         &    Rathbone
     Masi                     &     Henson
     vd Westhuisen     &    Wakarua
     Bergamasco         &    Hogg
     Bortolami             &     Matfield
     Ongaro                &     Paul

.... adam's ant scored  3945....a great effort for a first-timer....and US $50 for his efforts!

This week the ideal team will score over 5000 with very few if any players the same (in scoring 21 tries!!!)..... boy we have a lot to learn??? ....meaning bonus should be won by someone scoring 4500+ points.

I  think I'm going to ask Santa for a crystal ball!!!

Ireland & France should be big scorers this week......but save trades if you can as round 5 will be the killer!

I'm picking Rodney So'oi'alo, Gordon D'arcy(if fit) & Imanol Harinordoguy will be worth a punt this week!!!

Cueto showed what a fast lock he is sprinting down Fitzy's favorite track for two tries.

Isn't it satisfying that Argentina & NZ are the only two unbeaten SH sides this month?

        GL for results R2 and picks for R3            

             Cheers,  BAZ