The Caveman

Being able to watch rugby is one of the things I miss the most about being in the USA, especially at this time of year as the Wallabies begin their season.

This week they play the flamboyant French, who recently defeated the All Blacks in New Zealand for only the fourth time in history. Aside from being occassionally brilliant, 'Les Bleus' are also well known for their underhanded tactics, as described in this article I read recently on rugbyheaven.com.au:

With the French in town next week, the Wallabies know they have to be prepared for anything. The French, who were once renowned as the kings of eye gouging and testicle pulling, are certainly tamer these days. The Christchurch Press newspaper's Richard Knowler this week reminded all of some of France's most notorious players. His Hall of Infamy included: Gerard Cholley, who decked four Scotsmen in a 1977 match and later complained that rugby had gone "soft"; Michel Palmie, who was banned from the game after punching an opponent with such force that he was left partially blind. Armand Vaquerin, who while playing a game of Russian roulette in a bar, picked up a heavy revolver and shot himself dead; Marc Cecillon, who got into a row with his wife and shot her in front of 60 other partygoers in 2004; Pascal Ondarts, who was renowned for head-butting teammates during warm-ups, who attacked All Black Wayne Shelford's scrotum in 1986; Daniel Dubroca, who after captaining France, lost the plot as a coach and, in 1991, grabbed New Zealand referee Dave Bishop by the throat in the tunnel under the Twickenham stand and accused him of being a cheat.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Comments

[Duncan]

Man,

I miss the rugby as well, I wish I had the extra cash to get Setanta sports so I could watch it!