Saigon Gecko's RFC on tour & Robbo quits
November, 08th 2006 00:57 AM

 

Robbo quits,   Yeah, see ya!

He said: "Following last Saturday's match versus South Africa my position remained that I was confident that I would coach the England team through to a successful World Cup in 2007, not withstanding the setbacks that we have had through the autumn.

"It is my understanding that I had, and still have, the support of the England players and the England management team.

"However, in the last 48 hours, I have been advised by senior colleagues that those who have governance over me - the RFU management board - do not, and will not, continue to support me as England head coach.

"Therefore, it is with regret that I have agreed a parting of the ways with the RFU and I will cease to be England head coach with immediate effect.

"For six years I have been proud to work with some outstanding people in the England team management and in the England squad.

"They all understand the responsibility, sacrifice and hard work that it takes for England to win. I would like to thank each of them for their support and professionalism throughout.

"On the occasion of my departure I leave very much hoping that rather than sacrificing any more England victories and sacrificing more quality coaches, that the professional game in this country admits that the current structure and system for developing elite rugby players and performance in the international arena is not working.

"If that is so then my successor may have a sensible platform from which to meet everyone's expectations for England success."

Real rugby, the Saigon Geckos on tour

As below, best I can do considering the way I feel (from Chef...more photo's to follow as they are being censored)

As we are all aware the Gecko's sent a side to the Bangkok 7's last weekend. This team was made up of extremely fit agile athletes who had nothing more than success on their agenda. Obviously some one had given them the wrong agenda.

2 ‘Virgins', Geoff ‘couldn't run out of sight on a dark night' Gilmour (as stated by himself) and Darren ‘The Flash' Rath, were included, although the tour started very shakily for these 2 guys as they lost ‘Gnoel' the team mascot before they had even boarded the plane, this set the scene for the safety of Gnoel during the rest of the weekend. Rathy also managed to lose his dignity and the dash for cash, overall a pretty good effort.

Our first game was against the College Rifles of NZ. Unfortunately we were well beaten by a very big strong side. Chef played very strongly for the first 5 seconds until the number 8 hit him that hard it knocked the wrinkles out of his socks, the vision of BJ standing above him pissing himself laughing only added to the moment. Swifty also felt the train like frame of the number 8 only this time it was Chef's turn to laugh as Swifty got stomped on in the ruck, by his own players. Tommy was lucky enough to see stars while in BKK but only as a result of being creased by, yes, you guessed it....the number 8. Tommy even had the pleasure of seeing a French full moon at close range later in the day but that's another story. Big Jas even got injured during this game, but did it putting a hit on one of their players.

The second game was against the Thailand National Team that are playing in the Asia Games in Dubai later this year. Only just beating us by 21-17 which was a pretty good effort considering the amount of alcohol consumed and the toughness of the previous game.

Sundays quarter final had us against the local hosts The Southeners, who were not happy to be beaten by the only team that had most of it's players putting their beers down to get dressed for the game. Unfortunately we were without seasoned veteran James Myers for this game who was suffering from a severe bout of lepracy of the toe which when shown to the boys resulted in a number of dry reaches and possibly a couple of actual vomits. Highlights of this game were Chef being put in the sin bin after politely or is sarcastically asking the ref to even up the penalty count and then being warned 6 times not to back chat him after not liking the response he got, all in the space of 10 seconds. BJ standing on the half way waiting for Chef to run to him from our try line, so he could then run on and score. Greg running on from the sideline 60 meters downfield to gather a kick that no one else would have got to. Tates standing on the wing and receiving the ball 40 metres out with no one to beat and getting caught 30 metres out

Our semi final was against a local Thai side. We only got beat 21-17, not a bad effort considering the amount of beer consumed in the 2 hours between games. I know we have heard it all before but we actually felt we were beaten by 3 bad calls form the referee but we realized at about 3.00pm we didn't really want to be in the final anyway because far too much beer was being consumed.

The highlights of the weekend

- The professionalism with which the geckos warmed up before every match (put their beers down, walk to the other side of the field talk and laugh, walk back and stand under the tent until the game started)

- The 12 jugs of beer consumed  between the quarter final and the semi final

- Rathy running the ‘Dash for Cash' in bright pink shorts, bright pink and yellow socks, a t-shirt that read ‘Sorry Girls I'm Gay' and a bright pink head piece with poms poms on top. He actually broke the start once, maybe he thought he was a chance of winning it.

- Johnny's 1 hour a night sleeping pattern (and that's an average)

- Geoff taking the piss out of Taxi drivers

- Manu showing Mark and Tommy what it would be like to have a rather large French man have his way with you.

- Rusty missing the plane home (has anybody heard from him yet)

Classic one liners

Swifty - Johnny's brother is hot man, he's got great teeth. I'd boof him second though, Brad Pitt would be first. (actually said more than once)

Geoff and Darren - F%$K Gnoels gone again

BJ - What's Swifty's last name

Chef - Ok boys finish your beers we need to warm up

All in all it was another great tour by the Gecko's and we all look forward to the next one. Well done boys

Go the Gecko's!!

 

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