40 replies to this topic

[sparky]

This appeared in this morning's Daily Telegraph.

Quote

Flutey has just returned to full contract training after a season marred by a serious shoulder injury that prompted his return from French club Brive to his former club Wasps.


The New Zealand-born centre admits that the All Blacks, who clinched the Tri-Nations title with a 29-22 victory over South Africa on Saturday, are playing outstanding rugby
But the 30 year-old insists Martin Johnson’s squad now possess the talent and attitude to arrive at the World Cup, which kicks off in just over 12 months in New Zealand, as serious contenders to the hosts.
New Zealand are among the visitors to Twickenham in November but Flutey believes England’s victory over Australia in Sydney in June was a watershed moment for Johnson’s squad.
“The All Blacks are playing amazing rugby at the moment but it is an exciting time for England as well,” said Flutey, who played just five games for Brive last season after aggravating a shoulder injury he sustained during the Lions tour of South Africa.
“Our win in Australia was a massive achievement and a huge step for us in the right direction. Australia are one of the best teams in the world as well and to get a win there will have given the boys a lot of confidence. During our recent training camp, everyone was pushing to make the squad for the autumn Tests, which will be a massive series. I believe we can do the job.”

Flutey admits he is relieved to have ended his French nightmare and is looking forward to regaining the kind of form at Wasps that he displayed in the Lions’ third Test victory over South Africa.
“I am back into contact and doing power work on my shoulder,” Flutey added. “The strength is back where it was when I was 100 per cent. Going to France and turning up at my new club injured wasn’t the best scenario for me or the club. When it got to the point when I needed surgery, from a family point of view it was just too unsettling. We were in Brive for three weeks and back in London for six getting rehab. My wife and two children were coming and going and it wasn’t sustainable. My family and I are happy that we are back in London now and it is great to have re-signed for Wasps. It is a club I know everything about, I enjoyed my time there. The grass isn’t always greener.”

[Luigi]

Aww, bless 'im - he does talk a good game doesn't he?

[Bones]

You'd hope most players aren't turning up thinking that if they face the ABs they're fucked!

[BartMan]

yeah, you gotta go in saying all the right things - no matter how you feel and what your chances really are. BUt by heavens, he does talk a bloody good game!!

[David65]

Bring it on I say!

[FredDagg1979]

Just stick that one on the AB's changing room wall at Twickers. Thanks Riki.

[Crucial]

Boy have Australia given them false hope or what?

England will always put up a challenge. It's just that all of the stars need to be in alignment for the winning to happen.
I expect that they will try to play rugby against us on the eoyt and then revert to the style that got them through to the final last RWC for next year's tournament.

[Emjayo]

Ahahaha. Oh, Riki, Riki, Riki...

[Duluth]

He has to say something like that...

A bit optimistic about the Poms progress but that's all

[Luigi]

To be fair, considering our performance over the last 6-7 years beating Australia in Oz is a big deal for us.

Read into that what you will.

[mariner4life]

Yea, he hasn't really said much. Winning in Aus is pretty tough for every team that isn't us (even the Boks fall over there) so they can take a heap of confidence from that (nice work Giteau). And they have to enter any test thinking they are in with a good chance. I hope they are on the rise, it would be great to see a few teams turn up to NZ in September with a legitimate chance of winning the damn thing.

Certainly nothing inflammatory to be used as motivation Fred

[FredDagg1979]

The Poms aren't due to beat us for 3 years anyway.

1983, 1993, 2003, ....

[matata_massive]

they will be darkhorses for the tournament for sure, they were'nt playing that well in the last world cup and still made the final, and could have won it too

[Parcy v2.0]

Luigi said:

To be fair, considering our performance over the last 6-7 years beating Australia in Oz is a big deal for us.

Read into that what you will.

It is a big deal, we haven't won in Australia in ages. I'm kind of envious.

[Baron Silas Greenback]

I am confused as to what else he is supposed to say?? He is just backing his side, not slagging off NZ.

[dingo]

FredDagg1979 said:

The Poms aren't due to beat us for 3 years anyway.

1983, 1993, 2003, ....

2002 kind of ruins the pattern though.

[sparky]

If everyone stays fit, England will have a handy team for the November test. Sheridan is due to start playing again. Moody will be a much better captain than Borthwick. I think Ashton and Banahan will be a handful on the wings. And they will have three NZ born players in their team Hartley, Flutey and Hape...... I don't see the game as a foregone conclusion at all....

[Victor Meldrew]

sparky said:

If everyone stays fit, England will have a handy team for the November test. Sheridan is due to start playing again. Moody will be a much better captain than Borthwick. I think Ashton and Banahan will be a handful on the wings. And they will have three NZ born players in their team Hartley, Flutey and Hape...... I don't see the game as a foregone conclusion at all....

Perhaps they can lead an English Haka....

[Luigi]

They probably wouldn't be allowed to, so will have to do it in the changing rooms.

[sparky]

When Munster had four Kiwis in their team in 2008 they did a haka against the Blacks........

[Luigi]

Yes, remember that well.

We'll want our Kiwis to do their one last.

Problem?

[Rancid Schnitzel]

I assume the scribes that slagged us off for "poaching" don't see the irony in having three NZ born players in their team.

BTW what happened to Vanikolo? Is he even still playing?

[Bones]

Rancid Schnitzel said:

BTW what happened to Vanikolo? Is he even still playing?

Still at Gloucester by the looks of the article at this link.

[Knock On Wood]

Rancid Schnitzel said:

I assume the scribes that slagged us off for "poaching" don't see the irony in having three NZ born players in their team.

BTW what happened to Vanikolo? Is he even still playing?

Funnily enough the incessant All Black poaching accusations dried up some years back as the number of expat Kiwis playing for England sky-rocketed.

[booboo]

FredDagg1979 said:

The Poms aren't due to beat us for 3 years anyway.

1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, ....

added

[ECNP]

I still find it strange that a national team that picks players that were never close to making the All Blacks can even consider competing against them, although Hartley left NZ before getting in the frame. Goes to show as long as you have a half-decent forward pack and backline aren't a defensive liability you can compete.

[mimic]

The thing is that most other nations have a different style of play to us. Player A has a certain style that will make him a star in Country B, but a journeyman at Country A.

[ECNP]

I just think the stars in Country B aren't as bright

[Duluth]

Also Flutey in particular is a far better player than when he left

[matata_massive]

Bones said:

Still at Gloucester by the looks of the article at this link.

maybe they realised how shite he really was