Mason/Giteau/Harrison

[machiavelli]

Hi ! I'm new here and I have just served my 10 post apprenticeship :yay

I'm Welsh but have lived in France for the last 20+ yrs. I live in the middle of the french rugby heartland. I have a major interest in 'Pro Rugby as a Business' and I am very interested in the total sciope of this subject N and S Hemp but major on the European circumstance.

Back to subject ref Aus ex pats etc, ... not a very ilmluminating first post but just to introduce myself, ..

Mason a complete flop (many expected it) at Toulon and now apparently on his way to Sydney Roosters ..(attachment in french basically says that)

Meanwhile Giteau has just embarked on his french venture his first / second 5/8 relationship should be interesting. He didn't apperar in Toulons defeat in the Challenge Cup last friday but will probably start in the T14 match v Agen this tuesday. Ridiculous timetables and reschedules make some teams play multiple fixtures in 10 days ! A legacy of a very overcrowded Euro Rugby schedule !!

I've answered a post earlier concerning Dwyer/Aus consortium takeover of french club Narbonne and the business parameters for the choice etc. Maybe of interest .. Justin Harrison is the Coach and due to injury probs there he's regained his playing licence.

Anyway, ... just an intro .. I like the feel of the Forum and look forward to participating here ...

PS I bet AUS in the W Cup and youi owe me !

 

[cyclopath]

Welcome. Love the avatar - nice combo of Gallic and Celtic. Obelix was always my favourite Gaul. You bet on us? I feel your pain!! Look forward to more from you.

 

[Swat]

Kiwi's you've let me down... Have totally been expecting one of you to pop up with a cheeky "always bit on bleck"

 

[liquor box]

How old is Harrison?

 

[machiavelli]

How old is Harrison?

also a TV UK Rugby pundit

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Thanks for the update. I look forward to more!

I hope Eurosport are showing Giteau's first game on Tuesday, or else I'll 'find a way' to watch it live.

 

[vidiot]

Thanks for the update. I look forward to more!

I hope Eurosport are showing Giteau's first game on Tuesday, or else I'll 'find a way' to watch it live.

If he gets to run on, it will be his second game. He had a tough outing against Toulouse weekend before last in the T14.

I think Gits faces the same problems he did in the wallabies. He is obviously talented, but is he a better 10 than Wilkinson? And is his skill mix enough to win 12 over a bigger/more crashball player or a faster/larger 13?

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Wilkinson and Giteau have potential to make a good 10/12 combo IMO. There are lots of options the coaches can take. Maybe Giteau takes over the attack in the OPP 40, or Giteau runs the attack from 2nd receiver. Giteau can even just be a decoy directing traffic away from Wilkinson, might help with drop goals ect...

Or it might not work, I don't watch Toulon enough really. But I can see Giteau linking up well with outside backs like David Smith if he hits some form.

 

[machiavelli]

Wilkinson and Giteau have potential to make a good 10/12 combo IMO. There are lots of options the coaches can take. Maybe Giteau takes over the attack in the OPP 40, or Giteau runs the attack from 2nd receiver. Giteau can even just be a decoy directing traffic away from Wilkinson, might help with drop goals ect...

Or it might not work, I don't watch Toulon enough really. But I can see Giteau linking up well with outside backs like David Smith if he hits some form.

Remember Toulon have a power centre in Bastareaud and also a very agile centre in Lovobalavui!

PS Smith has been ace all Season ...

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

I used to love Harrison as a player. As a player there is only room for one player of his nature in a team. I don't know if he is the best example for players.

 

[mudskipper]

The Toulon forwards were out played by the Toulouse pack the other week... I cant see mason or Harrison being a great help... for different reasons. H is too old and M is clueless...

 

[Garry Owen]

I wonder how long until they give Gits a shot at 10? They haven't been setting the world on fire.

Johnny Wilko has hung up the int'al boots. As a contra to the club?

 

[todd4]

Thanks for the reminder. Toulon v Agen on Eurosport channel tonight.Starts at 3.45 am here in the west but I'll record it and watch it later.

 

[machiavelli]

Toulon beat Agen 30 (4 tries, 1 conv (Giteau), 4 pens (Wiko) 12 (4 pens) and despite getting 2 yellows. They are now 3rfd in the T14.

I missed the match but ccording to reports it was a good performance by Toulon)

GITEAU man of the match and moved from centre to 10 after 60 min !

 

[Brumby Jack]

I watched it today.
Toulon have picked up 3 ex-Brumbies in Giteau, Jone Tawake and Matt Henjak.

Jonny went off after 60 so that's why Giteau went into 10. Toulon played well and Agen didn't really get into the game and weren't helped by the ref who played some of the longest advantage I've ever seen.

On an unrelated note, I think I heard during the call that Green and Gold's own Bob Dwyer will be coaching Narbonne for the rest of the season after giving their coach the flick last week.

 

[machiavelli]

The current Top14 table

Pts J G N P p c +/-
1 Stade Toulousain 43 12 9 1 2 283 178 105
2 ASM Clermont 40 12 9 0 3 304 163 141
3 Rugby Club Toulonnais 35 12 7 2 3 249 156 93
4 Castres Olympique 33 12 7 1 4 253 225 28
5 SU Agen 32 12 7 1 4 247 233 14
6 Stade Français 30 12 6 1 5 274 251 23
7 Racing Métro 92 30 12 6 0 6 271 254 17
8 Montpellier Hérault Rugby 27 12 5 1 6 243 234 9
9 CA Brive-Corrèze 22 12 3 1 8 207 195 12
10 Union Bordeaux-Bègles 21 11 5 0 6 174 256 -82
11 Aviron Bayonnais 20 12 4 1 7 191 257 -66
12 USAP 20 12 4 0 8 184 287 -103
13 Lyon LOU 17 11 3 1 7 154 198 -44
14 Biarritz Olympique 15 12 2 2 8 144 291 -147

 

[machiavelli]

On an unrelated note, I think I heard during the call that Green and Gold's own Bob Dwyer will be coaching Narbonne for the rest of the season after giving their coach the flick last week.

Dwyer's role is 'supervisoty' whatever that means under these conditions but he will be directly concerned with the team.
He has invested and his mate also .. they are both concerned with the Consortium.
This, the latest french report which is the latest in the saga .. I have posted other items considering business choice of Narbonne etc ..

They'll have to work hard this Season .. they are near bottom of ProDiv2 and lots of injuries .. that's why Harrison has retrieved his players licence. The only way, hopefully, is up ...

http://www.rugby-transferts.com/pro-d2/0014506-un-champion-du-monde-narbonne.html

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Giteau was superb in last nights game. He took the ball to the line at speed and was putting people through gaps all game. He looked right at home at 12.

Also was wondering what they meant when talking about Bob Dwyer, thanks for the explanation ^^.