The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Ballycastle Bar, Hong Kong.

First topic message reminder :

Hello and welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub, a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The pub has made its way to Hong Kong, host city for the British & Irish Lions first Tour match before their arrival in Australia - land of the Giant Budgie Smuggler.

So grab a beer, cider, whiskey or wine.... or a warm beverage and sit back and enjoy the rugby.

                     

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the pictures of Rory Best, Sam Warburton, the Limavady Luge Team, Papa Rodders, Mrs Rodders and our newest & sweetest member, Katelyn.    

last Pawb: https://www.606v2.com/t43001p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-pyongyang

Thomond wrote:I know people complain about the likes of  Delon Armitage, Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale and Hartley damaging the reputation of rugby but comparted to American athletes, these lads are angels.


29 fellas been arrested in 3 months. 2 being charged for murder!

Ah sure that's Yanks for ya T.  Bless em.

Big problem is... what happens over there, eventually  happens over here. Sad really. People are sheep.

Evenin T. Hows yer sis? Hows you man?

No worries really, heading off to American next month. Parents are heading out before me, with their sister I'm joining them for a few weeks, while the brother is in San Francisco on the J1. The sister graduated her school last week, seeing the work my parents and others did to even get a school was amazing, welling up at it.

I've also learned that the women who work/teach in that particular area are all gorgeous, I've finally foun where they have been hiding!


Finally got around to doing a bit of rugby writing and video analysis of the lions 1st test a few days back, and I'm going to be doign it for the other games as well. Might interest you or others, there's a thread outside too.


http://balls.ie/rugby/tale-of-the-tape-the-lions-defence-in-the-first-test/
http://balls.ie/rugby/tale-of-the-tape-lions-kicking-and-set-piece-in-the-first-test/

See Federer, Nadal, Sharapova etc all out of Wimbledon, guys?

The big question now is, who's left for Murray to lose to in the final?

Glas a du wrote:The big question now is, who's left for Murray to lose to in the final?

Djokovic, of course

Yeah, been a strange day in that regard, I know Djokovic is still about but that increases the pressure on Murray bigtime. Feel for the guy and wish him the best.

Juan Martin Del Potro for the semis!

Thomond wrote:No worries really, heading off to American next month. Parents are heading out before me, with their sister I'm joining them for a few weeks, while the brother is in San Francisco on the J1. The sister graduated her school last week, seeing the work my parents and others did to even get a school was amazing, welling up at it.

I've also learned that the women who work/teach in that particular area are all gorgeous, I've finally foun where they have been hiding!


Finally got around to doing a bit of rugby writing and video analysis of the lions 1st test a few days back, and I'm going to be doign it for the other games as well. Might interest you or others, there's a thread outside too.


http://balls.ie/rugby/tale-of-the-tape-the-lions-defence-in-the-first-test/
http://balls.ie/rugby/tale-of-the-tape-lions-kicking-and-set-piece-in-the-first-test/

Love you T.

Have a blast in The States man. I love San Fran. Phooking love it. Why? Cos its not America. Well... it is, but... its different.

I'm not going to San Fran, I will be in Florida, but we'll see how costly flights up that area are. Florida is kind of a peaceful redneck area (we'll leave aside the fact that I met a guy in a gun shop who said he needed to shot something every day as he was from Texas)

There are two Floridas, Mouseschwitz and Hicksville.

Belated Happy Bitthday Cari.

We're off to have a look around St. Kilda today. Maybe take in the Aussie v B&I legends game this evening.

Lewis Moody launched a new beer at The Brewhouse yesterday afternoon. Not sure that he was too impressed with 8 Wasps fans in our club shirts.

Congrats to Mr & Mrs Youngs. Two brothers starting for the Lions is a big deal.

Morning Glas. We've just had a lovely afternoon down at St. Kilda Beach.

Very impressed with the bars and restaurants in and around Melbourne.

Have you started to use the upward inflection? Like everything's a question?

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Croft and O'Brien both on the bench at the expense of a 2nd row.

JD2 to keep his place. Philips too. Bowe the only change to the backline.

Parling and Vunipola promoted from the bench. Grant in and Cuthbert at 23

Remember you heard it here first.

I wasn't far off. I spent a lot of the phone call trying to convince Gatty to drop Philips for Murray. I thought I had failed...

Oh well. We'll be fine as long as there are not too many scrums and AWJ lasts 80.

Glas a du wrote:Have you started to use the upward inflection? Like everything's a question?

That's something else the Aussies stole of us


Start of play in my cricket game on Saturday has been put back to 1pm, with a "report to ground" time of 12.30. I'll be able to watch past half time in the test

Good stuff, Pete!

Some griping elsewhere about the Lions' match-day squad for Saturday, but I don't see too much wrong with it. My only real issue is what Alex Cuthbert's doing on the bench when he only covers wing. I'd have gone with Maitland.

Cuthbert only covers wing but the backline is a bit flexible, Bowe covers 13 and 15 while Farrell can cover 12 and Sexton can too. I think a guy like Kearney or Maitland would have made more sense though or even Hogg.

I'm really excited by Ben Youngs's selection. If Mike Phillips has struggled historically against the Wallabies, Youngs has caused them plenty of problems.

Gatland could aways bring North into midfield if needs be. My concern would be if Halfpenny gets injured. Tommy Bowe can cover there, but better tha Maitland or Hogg? I'm not so sure.

Bowe hasn't palyed there in a while, that would be an issue. North is brought in as a bit of a battering ram and it works but they are still a bit light there in this department Davies didn't do great there on Saturday although he was superb in a lot of other areas. I thought bringing in a guy liek Tuilagi would have worked well. SOB could have done a godo job there too, although you might improve the defensive breakdown situation with Lydiate there allowing Warburton to try and wreak havoc (he seemed to defend the midfield a lot and didn't challenge that often)

Feck, I think I was just having a chat with Bobby Windsor. There's so many players and ex players here atm.

I spoke to Bobby Windsor in a pub in Newport once. I think my exact words were, 'you're Bobby Windsor'.

I thought Tuilagi might come into the side. As it is, it's great that O'Brien's on the bench. Covers the whole back row and he'll really make an impact coming on.

Yeah lucky. We have been suggesting O'Brien as the ideal back row sub from the squad. Delighted that Ben Youngs is starting as I feel he will work well with Sexton.

Mind you, he also flaps around at the base of rucks at times. Frustrating when scrummies do that.

PS - you would like some of the ciders here.

I'm sure I would, Hound!

Have you ever been to the Temperance in Putney?

Nah. Sarf of the rivva innit!

I see. I'll let you know what it's like!

Please do. I have only been to one pub in Putney, and I can't remember the name of it.

Beer is blydi expensive here, but a few pubs are operating a 'Lions Passport' with 2 for 1 deals on beer and discounted meals with a pint.

I am used to paying £2.15 a pint at home. Here a it's A$11 (£7.50) a pint, so fair play to Melbourne for making it bearable.

Ouch. £7.50?!

Yes, it's painful. I took out £300 worth of A$  ($460) and have already drawn out another A$400.
We've only been here 8 days.

They must be on an average wage of A$100,000 pa here. Mental prices. A Mars Bar is about £1.60!!

Mick Jagger would  not be happy.

No, he'd sit and watch as beers go by...

Lions legends vs classic wallabies tonight. Some thrilling exhibition rugby on display, far better than the rebels game.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

No, he'd sit and watch as beers go by...

You are truly outstanding in your own field there.

I'd go as far as to say you are out there, with rage in your eyes and your megaphone......... Just keep an eye out for the agents of the law eh mate....

The agents of the law won't let me own a megaphone. So I just shout as loud as I can and hold up signs of what I'm shouting. It's like that Bob Dylan video but with no artistic merit whatsoever.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:The agents of the law won't let me own a megaphone. So I just shout as loud as I can and hold up signs of what I'm shouting. It's like that Bob Dylan video but with no artistic merit whatsoever.

Ah well.

All is forgiven. Mad dog surrender. How can I answer? A man of my mind can do anything.

I sent your brother his E-ticket today, Jen. He sounds chuffed.

We are in row 9 of the upper tier (front part just above corporate area tier) sort of in line with the 22m line on the western (TV camera view) side. Pretty good location.

He was on bragging about it on FB ok.. Thanks a mill. You're a gent.

He got tickets for a mate of mine (in the online sale that sold out in a few mins) and only realised a few minutes later that he should have got some for himself.... The dope.

Fecker's not sure who to support now having been out of Ireland as long as he was in it.

He is an Aussie citizen in fairness. And it is the Lions and not Ireland, so I can't use the big stick on him.

Good evening all, not been in for a while, currently rehearsing for much ado about nothing!

Looking forward to a weekend of rugby and drinking as mrsprop is at my sister's hen do!!

Just got up here in Aus. Off on a day trip to The Grampians today to see scenic Australia (and keep off the beer ).

Looking forward to it.

On the beer front, staggie's company have done well. A free bar and buffet before and after the games.

Beautiful mate. There is something special about the Australian countryside.
Ballarat is a lovely town - I hope the bus stops there for a break. It's all pretty flat heading west... the Grampians sure do stick out.
It's almost desert when you go further north towards Sunraysia. It will be quite a long day. Just breath in that sweet air!

It would be wrong to come all this way and not see some of the countryside Lb .Just off on the coach now - back at 21.00.

Love you Hound. The Pubs best possible rep on Tour. Enjoy every last second of it  pal.

Let me know what you think of all the town names... you'll be seeing some real tongue-twisters on the road signs. Have a great day... and make sure Stag doesn't go off wandering through the bush. It will make a mess of his coat.

I've got to go across town for a measure up - PM me your mobile - I'll call later this afternoon when you'll be heading back. Going out to the Bunnies-Raiders match tonight. Damn... it's just started raining here. It was quite pleasant yesterday.

We need to get a bunnies cap for a friend back home when we're in Sydney.

Stag's not on this trip - we've booked it ourselves.

PM to follow.

Cheers mate. I'll check my inbox.

Seeing as it's Friday (and dead in here)

What would you get if you crossed a joke with a rhetorical question?

Ha, I like it!

Speaking of PMs, Pete, I'll send you my mobile number in case either of us gets lost tomorrow morning. (Guess which of us is the more likely to get lost!)

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:Seeing as it's Friday (and dead in here)

What would you get if you crossed a joke with a rhetorical question?

What?

A bit of a lie in here today. Knackered after a day in the mountains yesterday. Time for a was up and brekky.