Les Quinzes Guerriers (The Fifteen Warriors)

What do i know about rugby? I watch rugby match almost every weekend. I watch too many rugby matches that i believe i could coach a rugby team. I've never been good at playing this game. I've tried once when I was 15. But my passion was more centered at computer programming at that time, as I spent more of my "training" in the computer lab rather than in the field with other "serge blanco"s, throwing, catching, kicking the not-very-round "ball". I use to envy our school rugby players. And I finished up with playing hockey for the school .... that cost me 3 hours in a ward, for being injured by "mamak"... our team mate .... the solid last man of the team (funny huh, injured during a training session). At this point, I learned that it is not that hockey is a dangerous sport but if you play hockey without following the rule (I was attacking mamak from a wrong side when he missed the ball and hit my front tooths ... auwww), or ignoring the rule, that is dangerous. Rugby looks dangerous as a sport. But if the players know and respect the rules, nobody will get injured. Even at the highest level, ruggers commit faults during a match (intentionnally or unintentionally). High tackle, tackle without ball, bring down the scrum .... hehehe .... and most of this action will finish by few punches ... "gado la". But the most important thing to remark is that rugby sport is not like others. It is a war. A war in a very clean, sincere, respectable manner. An old fashion war with high dignity, with honor and pride. You win the war if you win the "terrain" (ground/field/land). Every centimeter of "terrain"/land that you win must be defended ... by occupying it with your men. Discipline is primordial. Don't stand in others land .... or you'll be caught of being offside. Stand behind the frontier line. Don't sleep. Defend your territory. Don't sleep. Attack any intruder with the ball in your area. Stay alert. Attack with the team. Use your arms, your legs, your shoulders, ... your mind ... triumph your team. Work in a team... don't let your team mates in trouble. And the hardest part is being the frontline warriors ... those "forwards". You've gotta be strong, tall, heavy, fast, reliable ... be there where there's the ball .... jump high during the throw-in .... push hard in the scrum ... "Allez Pelouse! Sautez haut! Poussez fort! Tacklez-le!" hehe ... I just love to wath a rugby "war". Yes it is a war. That's why "warrior" is a suitable name for these players. "C'est une guerre .... jouée par les GUERRIERS". It's about discipline .. I've never seen any undisciplined rugby team won a match .. you have to fullfill your responsibility .. one player who doesn't defend well his area will let one free "try" to the opponents. One player fumbles, the ball will be given to the opponents. French team have lost to Scotland last few week while everybody was saying that France was the big favorite ... why? There were a lot of fumbles in french play. A lot of offsides. The french warriors was not playing in a team. Michalak with his creativity not understood by his team mates. Last week these french warriors have won against Ireland .... but the game has left a big question mark on the french capabilities in playing during 80 minutes. It is a war. You don't go into a war and fight during the first half and than decide to have a rest during the second. You fight untill the end! ... err ... I think I should replace Laporte .. hehe .. Another thing, respect the authority. You don't behave badly with the referee. Shut up when the referee say so! Referee's decisions are rarely wrong. We give time to study any case .... who's wrong? who's right? There are video referees. There are "advantage" concept. So don't groan. Be man. Be honored. Be proud. Have pride. Don't cheat. We can see what you've done. We are not in a football match. This is not Manchester United and you're not Cristiano Ronaldo. We are in Stade Toulousain .... et soyez guerriers!