Did we turn up?
By Props are not stupid August 20 2008
Well, I did, although late, as I got to Twickenham just after our first game had finished. I wasn’t the only London Irish supporter who missed the first game against Dragons. I asked a few people around me and the 10:40 kick off was too early for many people to be there on time. After having watched it on telly, I can say that we won pretty convincingly.
Well, I did, although late, as I got to Twickenham just after our first game had finished. I wasn’t the only London Irish supporter who missed the first game against Dragons. I asked a few people around me and the 10:40 kick off was too early for many people to be there on time. After having watched it on telly, I can say that we won pretty convincingly.
There were notable absentees in our 7’s squad, as Steffon did not surface and Richards and Geragthy were not eligible as they were committed to England for the whole week. Adam Thompstone was asked to play sevens after having scored 4 tries in a XV a side game against Nottingham only a few hours before.
So, it was a long wait for us to be able to see Irish again, 2:40. Irish got to a bad start from the kick off, and then from the restart again, so by the time we thought about any kind of game plan we were two tries down, although the scores at Twickenham were showing 7-7. It was 0-19 to Newcastle with 1 minute to go to half time and 0-26 at half time. If this sounds bad, it looked even worse. During the day I spoke to many people who were not interested in rugby and were there just for a p*ss up. I am not going to make comparisons, but going on the booze was the only plan for the rest of the day, apart from watching some great rugby from Quins with Strettle making sure he is talked about for the right reasons and the Army showing how efficient they can be at playing walking pace sevens rugby.
I do have a couple of pages of notes I took from the game, but you don’t really want to know about it, apart from the fact that Dominic Shabbo scored in the last minute of the game, final score being 7-40 to Newcastle. Quins ended up winners of the whole Tournament, with a very young and quick squad, including an Argentinian called Gonzalo Tiesi…
Mr Waltham took my notepad and wrote: “NEW POLL: LI WERE:…” We all gave adjectives, and then we passed the notebook around and wrote a few words. Nobody was brave enough to pass it to Shane, who was sitting just one row in front of us for the duration of the whole tournament. I must write a disclaimer here, as I am not the author of what says below, but it seems that many Irish supporters were upset. This is what people wrote:
L.I. were:
- Crap
- Not interested
- Lazy
- Absent
- Unskilled
- Unmotivated
- Wishing they were in bed
- An embarrassment
- Saving themselves for tea & biscuits
- Humiliated / humiliating
- Stupid
- A waste of the gate money, 2 for 1 or not
- Lacking basic 7’s skill
- Not at their best!!!
- Missing everything
- Uncommitted
- Ojo should be shot
- Room for improvement
- 40-7 – arrogant!!
- Unprofessional
- Lack of effort
- Should be fined a month’s wages
- Should be sent to the army
- Slightly lacking in drive, ambition, passion and desire to win – also a slight understatement
- Wearing quite nice shirts
- To sum it up – what was it all about?
- Didn’t turn up!
- Where was Topsy?
- Where was the commitment?
- Hungover?
- Wanting to get a tan in the afternoon sun.
- In need of some lesson from the army.
- One word of advice, if you are going to invade the pitch, at least get your clothes off first!!
Well, could it be worse? Yes, it could, I had a £100 parking ticket in my car when I eventually got to it the following morning. Nice!
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StumbleuponRe: Did we turn up?
Posted by: AMS (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:09:40:40
Ouch.
Apparently I should've watched the Nottingham match on Friday night, sounds like far more rugby was played then!
Apparently I should've watched the Nottingham match on Friday night, sounds like far more rugby was played then!
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Babs O (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:10:13:07
I think people dont understand the full extent to which our squad was stretched this weekend. after having some of the squad (including Topsy) away for the week with england for pretty intense training sessions, the boys were then expected to play in a 7's tournament. as committed as they wanted to be, they simply did not have enough cover (only 9 players in the squad) or enough energy to take on a newcastle team who are a specialist 7's outfit. come on guys, i know everyone is entitled to their opinion but at least try and be objective
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Mike_LI (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:10:30:43
New poll, some of the people who made suggestions were:
* Crap
* Not interesting
* Lazy
* An embarrassment
* Stupid
* Lack of effort
* Crap
* Not interesting
* Lazy
* An embarrassment
* Stupid
* Lack of effort
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: AMS (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:10:31:54
Good point, well made, Babs.
To be fair, we've been whining for years about how England (and other international sides) have ignored our talent, the chance to whine about how we suffer for having so many players now getting international recognition is a novelty that has yet to wear off!
Maybe if you look on the bright side - people are only disappointed when they hope and believe in something, so the disappointment in more a statement of the strength of belief we have in the squad?
I'm honestly not too worried about the sevens but I'm soooooooo looking forward to the season proper, I've got a season ticket again and I'm v excited about it (despite my Craic report, I do really enjoy the rugby as well as the gossiping on the sidelines!).
The Munchkin can't wait too...
To be fair, we've been whining for years about how England (and other international sides) have ignored our talent, the chance to whine about how we suffer for having so many players now getting international recognition is a novelty that has yet to wear off!
Maybe if you look on the bright side - people are only disappointed when they hope and believe in something, so the disappointment in more a statement of the strength of belief we have in the squad?
I'm honestly not too worried about the sevens but I'm soooooooo looking forward to the season proper, I've got a season ticket again and I'm v excited about it (despite my Craic report, I do really enjoy the rugby as well as the gossiping on the sidelines!).
The Munchkin can't wait too...
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: London_Falcon (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:10:54:14
"or enough energy to take on a newcastle team who are a specialist 7's outfit."
well we are certainly not looking like a specialist 15's outfit, that's for sure!!
well we are certainly not looking like a specialist 15's outfit, that's for sure!!
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Babs O (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:11:12:19
i appreciate people's frustration having spent money to go and watch the boys compete in the 7's and feeling like they didnt get their money's worth but let me ask you this... if we had suffered injuries in the 7's to key players, i'm pretty sure there would be those asking why we were risking players before the start of the season when our squad is thin enough as it is.
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: cheffy (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:11:22:34
I was under the impression that in order to qualify for the full amount of money allocated to each club under the new and indeed previous agreements all Premiership clubs were required to send a team to the Middx 7's.
It must be worth it financially to LI to participate if not to the supporters.
I agree with babs in that we would all be screaming if we picked up silly injuries in a meaningless (to us) tournament.
Lets go and stuff Quins have a good time in Munster and then get back to HQ and pull the wings off the wasps on the 6th!!
It must be worth it financially to LI to participate if not to the supporters.
I agree with babs in that we would all be screaming if we picked up silly injuries in a meaningless (to us) tournament.
Lets go and stuff Quins have a good time in Munster and then get back to HQ and pull the wings off the wasps on the 6th!!
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: JamesC (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:11:35:25
recovery from hurt pride is some decent wins.
recovery from physical injury at this stage of the season - hard to judge but best avoided.
Main event as far I was concerned was a good run out v Nottingham the previous evening
recovery from physical injury at this stage of the season - hard to judge but best avoided.
Main event as far I was concerned was a good run out v Nottingham the previous evening
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Foggy-Balla (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:11:49:34
Curses-wanted to be the first to reply to PANS's report (for which thanks & sorry to hear about the parking ticket!) but was jiggered if I could work out how to.
There must be some kind of Foggy-Balla-Unfunny-Post filter on, I tell you.
Two things spring to mind now I can post:
1. What on earth is spectating at a 7s tournament about except a bit of a p*ss up?!?
2. We should've offered the services of a few Fairies!
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes.
That way if he gets angry, he'll be a mile away and barefoot.
There must be some kind of Foggy-Balla-Unfunny-Post filter on, I tell you.
Two things spring to mind now I can post:
1. What on earth is spectating at a 7s tournament about except a bit of a p*ss up?!?
2. We should've offered the services of a few Fairies!
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes.
That way if he gets angry, he'll be a mile away and barefoot.
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Shawshank (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:11:52:22
Did anyone really go the Middx 7's expecting to see a serious effort (esp. bearing in mind we had a pre-season game the night before)?
It's been a waste of time for years now...
It's been a waste of time for years now...
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Trouble_gb (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:12:04:02
Sorry I have to say that I think this report to be completely unfair.
They have been training hard. Friday night we were 7 short due to the requirements set by the England Team. Most of the boys had a good run out on the Friday night and we as we all well know have a small squad - can we afford injuries to key player before the season starts.
There would be uproar from this board if we had fielded some of our first team and they had got injured playing 7's!
Then you would be questioning the decision of the coaches to field a senior team when we have such limitied resources.
I'm sorry you got a parking ticket and I think that has soured your mood.
The Middlesex 7's for the past 3 years I have been has never been an event we take really serious and I don't see why we should. I would rather have a fit team for Quins and then see them run out against Munster, but then I maybe have my priorities out of sync !
They have been training hard. Friday night we were 7 short due to the requirements set by the England Team. Most of the boys had a good run out on the Friday night and we as we all well know have a small squad - can we afford injuries to key player before the season starts.
There would be uproar from this board if we had fielded some of our first team and they had got injured playing 7's!
Then you would be questioning the decision of the coaches to field a senior team when we have such limitied resources.
I'm sorry you got a parking ticket and I think that has soured your mood.
The Middlesex 7's for the past 3 years I have been has never been an event we take really serious and I don't see why we should. I would rather have a fit team for Quins and then see them run out against Munster, but then I maybe have my priorities out of sync !
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Jon_r43 (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:12:28:35
Problem for me was looking at that squad put out it looked as though it could have competed and didn't. Combination of Topsy, Tomas and Adam could and should have got a lot closer in the second game.
Agree that the key was to avoid injuries but if that was really the case then why risk 3 senior players, one of whom was always going to struggle at 7's!
I was always worried about squad depth this season but if we can't put out a 22 and a 7's squad before the season starts what problems are coming later when 7 players are away with England and the squad is carrying several injuries
Agree that the key was to avoid injuries but if that was really the case then why risk 3 senior players, one of whom was always going to struggle at 7's!
I was always worried about squad depth this season but if we can't put out a 22 and a 7's squad before the season starts what problems are coming later when 7 players are away with England and the squad is carrying several injuries
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Cill Dara (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:13:34:33
I assume by the response by several people to what I thought was an accurate account of the London Irish game, (ignoring the missed one), that we are the only team that are in the middle of pre-season games and also have players away with England.
Harlequins, winners of the competition, were actually playing a full game against Connacht on the same day as the Middlesex Sevens.
Saracens, winners of the Plate competition, played Western Force the night before the Middlesex Sevens.
Prisco stripe Hibernico
Harlequins, winners of the competition, were actually playing a full game against Connacht on the same day as the Middlesex Sevens.
Saracens, winners of the Plate competition, played Western Force the night before the Middlesex Sevens.
Prisco stripe Hibernico
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: balpw2. (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:13:36:21
I haven't been to a Sevens tournament for a while. I think the last one I went to was before the 05/06. I realised that:
a) I don't like Twickenham
b) I prefer to see a gripping rugby contest where the result matters
c) I can't stand the atmosphere at Sevens which is like a vast open air bar with some games of rugby going on in the middle. People chatting, getting up to procure more swillage or empty out the last bucket they consumed or frankly anything but actually watch the rugby.
a) I don't like Twickenham
b) I prefer to see a gripping rugby contest where the result matters
c) I can't stand the atmosphere at Sevens which is like a vast open air bar with some games of rugby going on in the middle. People chatting, getting up to procure more swillage or empty out the last bucket they consumed or frankly anything but actually watch the rugby.
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Mike_LI (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:15:13:51
Quote:Cill Dara
Harlequins, winners of the competition, were actually playing a full game against Connacht on the same day as the Middlesex Sevens.
And they lost that game 24-8, a contributory factor quite possibly being missing some of their key players to the Sevens.
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Babs O (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:15:32:20
Yes Quins did have a strong squad out at the 7's but as Mike has stated, they lost their 15's game on the friday. what are our priorities here really? i'd be more concerned if we got beaten badly by quins this weekend and then munster next weekend with our full team out
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Cill Dara (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:15:32:51
Quote:Mike_LI
And they lost that game 24-8, a contributory factor quite possibly being missing some of their key players to the Sevens.
Silverware, plus pointers as to how to improve in the next couple of weeks!
Prisco stripe Hibernico
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: harristocratt (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:15:39:20
If the choice is between winning a tournament and winning a friendly the choice would seem to be simple but what do I know.
I used to think that highly paid professional sportsmen had some pride in how they performed for their wages but I was clearly wrong there so I might be wrong about priorities as well.
I used to think that highly paid professional sportsmen had some pride in how they performed for their wages but I was clearly wrong there so I might be wrong about priorities as well.
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Notso Big Andy (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:15:39:47
Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Padwah (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:18:35:40
I was there and that was one of my comments!
But joking aside - i can live with us losing and i can live with us being tired after a hard week - but what i cannot stand as a fan who pays to watch my team play is a complete lack of effort. We could of been playing a team made up of 7 Serevi clones and lost 49-0, but as long as the effort is there i will cheer them on.
Send out the youth team for all i care - at least they will give it a shot
But joking aside - i can live with us losing and i can live with us being tired after a hard week - but what i cannot stand as a fan who pays to watch my team play is a complete lack of effort. We could of been playing a team made up of 7 Serevi clones and lost 49-0, but as long as the effort is there i will cheer them on.
Send out the youth team for all i care - at least they will give it a shot
Re: Did we turn up?
Posted by: Cill Dara (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:08:20:18:57:21
Quote:Babs O
I'd be more concerned if we got beaten badly by quins this weekend and then munster next weekend with our full team out
So would I, especially as we will be playing a Munster A side, rather than Munster proper.
But my point was that every side there, with the exception of the, (Fijian), Army, are in the middle of pre-season preparations.
The way we played in the second game actually reminded me of the Fairies. One year the Fairies had to win their last game, or face another game, there were more than a few ringers in that one.
Irish seemed to want to win the first game; as if they lost they would be in the Plate and would probably progress. Whereas win the first and loose the second, that’s it, Game Over.
With all this said I will be going to next years Middlesex Sevens no matter what, even if Irish aren’t there. I enjoy the day and it is the right way, (in my opinion), to start the season.
Prisco stripe Hibernico
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:20:19:44:34 by Cill Dara.
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