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The Wallabies (and Larkham) Capture France

September 5th 2007 03:44
...well, the fans imaginations and hearts ie...

10,000 fans attended the Wallabies first open training session at le Stade Yves du Manoir, in Montpellier, on Sunday September 2nd.

le Stade Yves du Manoir, Montpellier France; the Wallabies open training day (image on Rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images)
le Stade Yves du Manoir, Montpellier France



Montpellier, where the Wallabies' 3rd pool game against Fiji will be played on September 22, was chosen as Australia's World Cup training base more than two years ago and Stade Yves-du-Manoir was built as a training venue.

The squad was "stunned" to be greeted with much fanfare and they were given a standing ovation during their lap of honour to thank the crowd, as Waltzing Matilda was played over the PA System (John Williamson was nowhere to be seen).

fans & fanfare at le Stade Yves du Manior, Montpellier France; the Wallabies open training day (image on Rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images)
...fans and fanfare...



The Wallabies arrived in th picturesque south of France town of Montpellier on Friday 31/08 and the locals have gone all Wallaby-dazzled.
They started building a Stephen Larkham shrine but stopped once they were informed that there was no way in heaven nor hell, they could compete with Rucks and Rolls...

Speaking of which...apologies for being sporadic with Wallabies and RWC info...sporadic? hell...I make rain in the Sahara look consistent...

Stephen yummy Larkham tearing his hair out at another inane media question (I am just making that up...but it's plausible) - image on Rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images
Dammit. Why isn't Dusk posting?? I can't function like this...


The perfect 10 (flyhalf/playmaker/demi God) Stephen Larkham, a veteran of two Rugby World Cup finals and the second most gorgeous man to grace this earth, said;

It was incredible to have so many people turn up to watch a training session. I felt like I was running out for a game.

"We were lined up in the corridor before we ran out...A few of the boys were saying they were a bit nervous before we ran out onto the field.

He also said that he misses reading what that nutter rabid fan writer at Rucks and Rolls has to say every time he breathes.

I miss reading what that nutter writer at Rucks and Rolls says every time I take a breath

Please do not quote me on the above statement. There is a strong possibility that I am full of **it...

Larkham said the local community had embraced the Wallabies strongly since their arrival in the Montpellier;

People always stop and wave at the bus when we are travelling through town to go to training and there have been plenty of autograph hunters and people wanting photos with the boys

the legendary George Gregan signing balls for fans at le Stade Yves du Manoir in Montpellier, after the Wallabies open training session (image on Rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images)
the legendary George Gregan signing balls for fans at le Stade Yves du Manoir (..gees, these fans must be worse than yours unruly, if a cage is required...just an observation...)


There aren't a lot of Australians here (in Montpellier), so almost the entire crowd tonight was made up of people from the area.
They've taken us under their wing and I suppose we're their second team in the competition now...It was amazing, fantastic. All the guys got a buzz out of that.


Of course they did. They're the Wallabies!!!!!

Ha ha ha ha...ah sheesh I crack myself and only myself, up.

Stephen Larkham evading Hugh McMeniamn with his usual skill and grace...and what looks like karate chop!...during a Wallabies training session in Montpellier (image on Rucks and Rolls. com courtesy of Sportal)
...hiiiii yah!...


Wallabies flanker, Rocky Elsom said the session was "worlds apart from a typical training run."

We've never had anyone cheer our training tries before,"
They cheered everything we did. They didn't mind one bit that we had no opposition out there.

The Wallabies listening to the crowd cheer them breathe (image on rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images)
The Wallabies take a breather. The crowd cheers. Larkham blinks. Crowd faints. Don't even ask what happens to me...


Unfortunately, the Wallabies do have some injury concerns and if I wasn't the post-er girl for blog-slakerdom, you would know that by now...

Lock Daniel Vickerman missed the training session due to illness. Captain Mortlock is suffering from a back injury and Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper are suffering from groin injuries but all 3 completed the training session.

The imbecile part of me giggles every time I read about a "groin injury". I mean...what were they doing?...hmm?

Stirling Mortlock, Rocky Elsom and Sean Hardman stretch before their training session at le Stade Yves du Manoir, Montpellier (image on Rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images)
...this is a teapot (aka quad and groin injury prevention)


Lote Tuqiri is suffering from a brain injury. It fell out.

The Wallabies' main injury concern is prop Guy Sheperdson, who also trained despite suffering a knock to his left leg during training on Saturday.

Guy Sheperdson with the suspect left leg (image on Rucks and Rolls.com courtesy of Getty Images)
Guy Sheperdson and his knocked up (!) left leg (this image is not from RWC, it's from 9 months ago...truly! Okay...12 months ago...)


*******************



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Please accept my apologies in advance for not responding to comments as promptly as I should. Unfortunately my secret life as MI6 agent/inter planetary ambassador is keeping me away. I will respond to comment/s asap. Thank you very much for putting up with this reading and/or voting and commenting.


info sourced from Sportal
images courtesy of Getty Images
Stephen Larkham courtesy of heaven...

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Comments
19 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by David

September 5th 2007 06:13
Dusk,

Word has it, that fence George is standing behind is a portable Dusk-proof fence for when the Wallabies return to Sydney.

There was quite a discussion over how close you got to Stephen at the farewell.

They rejected using the APEC fence. They all said it wasn't high or long enough.

David ...

Comment by DuskDevi

September 5th 2007 06:44
Oh very funny David.

Besides...the APEC fence is to keep the delegates in for the safety of the general public.

It's a drab-bit proof fence...

Hope you're well sugah.

Dusk

Comment by Mr Nice Guy

September 5th 2007 08:19
Dusk

Lote has a brain?

MNG

Comment by DuskDevi

September 5th 2007 08:31
I'm sorry MNG...I have to say yes to that...

After all he did make the switch to Rugby. It's just a pity Lotta Tequilas doesn't use his brain as nature...and Rugby...intended.

Thanks for coming by MNG...and may I suggest this to be a part of that speech?;

A firm believer that everyone in this world puts their trousers on 'one leg at a time' - we'd all be better off if there was a little more humour, understanding and respect for one another.

I second that emotion...

Dusk

Comment by Norm

September 5th 2007 08:59
Lote Tuqiri is suffering from a brain injury. It fell out.

hahaha

Other funny ones too.
Many.

Cheers, Dusk.

Comment by DuskDevi

September 5th 2007 15:35
Hello giNORMous...

If I was half as funny as the AAP Rooters team...I'd be dangerous!

Draw deep my friend...

Dusk

Comment by D. Armenta

September 5th 2007 20:12
Captured France you say??

Good, let's hustle on over there and erect thousands of McDonald's and Coca-cola plants!!!

Sorry, can't help being a smartass....

D.

Comment by Cibbuano

September 5th 2007 22:59
yeah! Get up for the down stroke!

when are the first games?

Comment by Lara M

September 6th 2007 00:45
I'd like to be in the South of France myself...

Comment by KylieW

September 6th 2007 01:05
Oh I can't wait for the World Cup to get under way.

Bloody funny post my love!

Comment by DuskDevi

September 6th 2007 04:42
Hiya D...

I prefer to think of you as a smart artist...Ralph was a stroke of brilliance...

Good to see you as always D...

Dusk


Comment by DuskDevi

September 6th 2007 04:52
Hi Cib...

First match of the RWC is tomorrow...France v Argentina.

...but no one cares anyway...it's this one that matters;

Australian Wallabies v Japan
08/09

I'll have the times up soon...

Dusk

Comment by DuskDevi

September 6th 2007 04:53
Hiya Lara...

So would I...but for very different reasons...!

Good to se you hon...

Dusk

Comment by DuskDevi

September 6th 2007 04:56
Hi KW...

2 days to go....and thank ya kindly!

Hope you're well gorgeous

Dusk


Comment by Ash

September 6th 2007 05:16
Hey Dusk

I saw Stephen on TV in passing the other night and immediatley imagined you salivating in your lounge room... over your dinner of course!

Bring it sister! Look forward to seeing you in the final

Hope you are well.
Hugs
Ash

Comment by DuskDevi

September 6th 2007 07:47
Hiya Ash...

No. I only salivate in private...

Green and Gold all the way...yes!!!

I am well lovely Woman...hope you are too.

hugs...

Dusk

Comment by JoshZ

September 6th 2007 12:04
Hey Dusk,

the excitement you feel is palpable. Looking forward to seeing how you cover Larkham and the Wallabies.

Oh, and the World Cup.

JZ

Comment by D. Armenta

September 6th 2007 16:54
Hahaha! Dusk, your boundless good grace is matched only by your brilliant wit..

Working on Ralph's next adventure as we speak.

Er--go Wallabies!

Comment by DuskDevi

September 11th 2007 00:10
Apologies...I'm away and insane limbo...!


Hiya JZ...and...ha ha!
Hope you're well my friend...

Dusk

*******

D...will be over soon to see what Ralph does next...

Dusk


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