[SEL] Totally off topic/now even more

[Jerry Evans]

At 07:00 PM 24/11/2008, you wrote:
>Message: 14
>Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:50:47 -0800
>From: "P. Johns" <enginepaul at gmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [SEL] Totally off topic
>Jerry:
>Congratulations. I don't know what a rugby is, but apparently your boys do.
>Paul, in San Francisco


         (This post has absolutely nothing to do with engines and I, once 
again apologise for starting it but it could be construed as very bad 
manners to not answer any replies to the original post - so, anyone on the 
list who would not like to read it is at liberty to use their "delete" key).
Hi Paul,
         Thanks for the reply. It's not "a" rugby - it's rugby. It's a 
sport started when a chappie at Rugby College (or school ?) in England 
called William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball (football) and ran with 
it in his arms to the goal line (It's illegal in "soccer" or "football" to 
handle the ball with your hands - that's why "soccer" is called "football" 
- it's all about control of the ball using your feet and body - you may not 
touch the ball with your hands). Anyway someone thought that it was a good 
idea to be allowed to pick up the ball and run with it and this sport was 
born. I was originally called "Rugby Football" but eventually the name was 
shortened  to"Rugby" and universally accepted
         It bears a slight resemblance to what you guys in the USA call 
"American Football". There are many differences in the game but the main 
ones are.
         1) Rugby is played by "real men" not "prima donnas" (but my Aussie 
friends may disagree when they think of Percy Montgomery).
         2)They are usually big, dirty(as in "attitude" - not necessarily 
"lack of soap"), tough, ugly (again, ugly as in attitude - not necessarily 
in looks) guys and they do not wear all sorts of protective equipment 
(scrum caps are allowed in deference to their later "sex life" - how many 
"chicks" do you know who would be prepared to "suck" a "cauliflower 
ear"?)  (For those List Members who are "humorously challenged" - that was 
a joke! - remember the delete key).
         2) The game is played by big tough guys with big tough balls. 
These are oval shaped and made from well seasoned leather:-). They only use 
one ball per game. (??)
         3) There are many more rules to the game but, mostly, these are 
ignored by the players.

         South Africa are the current world rugby champions but that is 
only because our previous coach decided to ignore government directives and 
selected players "on merit" as opposed to "by colour". He was "got rid of" 
just after we won the World Cup last year (we cannot have these 
rascists  now can we). He was replaced by someone of a colour "more 
acceptable" to government. Luckily our team still seems to remember his 
coaching and we are still doing quite well but we do not know how long this 
will last. ( For those List Members who are "humorously challenged" - this 
is NOT a joke!).

         The main rugby playing nations of the world are: Argentina, 
Australia, Great Britain (including England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), 
France, South Africa and New Zealand. There are others.

         Our main opponents are Australia, England and New Zealand and a 
healthy "rivalry" exists between us.

         For my part, I support my own country first and then Aus. and New 
Zealand when they play anyone from the Northern Hemisphere. (Almost like 
the Scots who support "whoever is playing against England").

         O.K. Guys, I started this "off topic" discussion so it's best if I 
end it as well so this will be my "last post" on the subject.
         I apologise if I've offended anyone but the list has been fairly 
quiet lately (I mean, Maytags as a "boat anchor" !!!!! - what kind of 
subject is that for discussion????).
          I only know of 2 list members who would support that kind of 
notion. but I'll not mention any names .
         By the way Dave and Arnie, did I mention that I picked up another 
Maytag recently ? <grin>.

Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>