<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wairarapa_cullen @ Nov 23 2008, 10:10 AM)
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f*** me, how much weight has Kelleher put on since going up north? He looks like a fat slob these days, I'm surprised he was rated the best player in the Top 14 last season. He was nothing short of average in the Super 14 and I reckon he was lucky to make the All Blacks last year. He'd be 3rd (at best) in the pecking order if he came back to NZ.[/b]
Knowing Stade Tolouse's somewhat dubious and frankly bemusing ways of picking and buying players, I'm honestly not surprised.
Simply put, one of most financially powerful clubs in France (if not Europe) and..well..their buying policy leaves a bit to be desired
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gay-Guy @ Nov 23 2008, 10:05 AM)
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Codorniou @ Apr 26 2008, 02:55 AM)
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He also identifies the key difference between the seasons in the two hemispheres. "Southern hemisphere rugby is a hundred-metre sprint, whereas northern hemisphere rugby, especially in France, is a marathon. The skill levels and execution have been poor in the Super 14 this season. Quite clearly, northern hemisphere teams have been playing much better rugby."
Times[/b]
I swear it is the other way around. What is Kelleher talking about? The 3 teams to play the AB's so far went guns out all blazing in the first half and then ran out of puff in the second. While NZ played it like THEY were running a marathon with steady play and only picking it up near the end. Also if any team looked like they were playing like its a 100 metre sprint it was France this weekend. They would have done better if they had calmed down and not tried to score every time they had the ball from a ruck. Patience would have won them the game...especially since the Wallabies were playing jittery rugby.
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I think he was talking about Club Rugby. Livremont is trying something which appears to be a completely hyperactive form of Rugby and is something completely different to what most Top 14 teams are coaching their players.
What Kelleher was referring to was the fact that the season in the NH is a marathon, you've got your league, your domestic trophy, the Heineken Cup/Heine-kiddy cup and then, if you're good enough, you have your International Rugby.
Going all out, week in and week out will mean you'll end up with 15 exhausted players come the vital crunch games in January for the Heineken Cup. Things have to be paced for a much longer period of time.
International rugby, with players from different clubs who usually play different styles trying to unite under a single, national coach to play one distinct style at a far higher level of intensity is different.
Can the NH players hack it at International Level? No, I don't think they can.
Can a club hack it against an International Team? As Munster vs the ABs proved, yes, yes you can.