RWC Day 21 (I think) Travelog Day 1 (I know): Just don't ask me what day it is

Saturday morning, which feels like Friday afternoon, or Friday morning at a push, but not Saturday morning really. 

As the poet of the valleys, Rhod Gilbert, once said: "I went to New Zealand and holiday and lost Tuesday. It may not mean anything to you but I had things to do."

I'd never really thought about how things could so disorientate you, until I was halfway through the second leg of the journey, approaching Honolulu if the plane's satnav was anywhere near correct; "In 1500 miles (pause for dramatic effect), turn (pause again) left". I'd already had an interesting journey. Sat next to a couple from Leicester on the first leg, we along with a number of England fans and half a dozen suitably madly attired Jocks, had drunk the flight from London to Los Angeles dry. 

When taking down my rucksack having just taken off on the second leg, every bag in the locker moved, I caught two as they fell, but produced my first knock-on of the Rugby World Cup with the third, a computer bag, which landed squarely on the woman in front. Mortified goes nowhere near to describing how I felt as she was repeatedly iced for the next hour.... I had to have several more glasses of wine to ease my own pain.

14 hours is a long time on a place when you can't sleep. It gave me time to think about what awaited me, and to realise I hadn't bought a guide book yet. Oh well, 4 weeks to sort that out.

AIr New Zealand though is now top of my list of people to fly with. Friendly staff, excellent service, comfortable planes, and a safety briefing involving Graham Henry, Richie McCaw and several others. Brilliant! Haven't yet checked YouTube for it, but it must be there and is worth a watch if it is.

My first taste of Auckland was the bus from the airport into town. The 30 minute journey was straightforward, with 1 in 4 houses bedecked in varying colours (a surprising number of Scottish saltires included) but with the All Blacks and Tonga seeming to be the best-supported. The driver friendlily nattered away explaining the route, and I arrived at my luxury lodgings for the first few days. The room is clean, but smaller than my 1st year student hall room. A bed, a sink, a table and a chair equals spartan to say the least. It's clean though, and the shower is a short walk down the corridor. 

After availing myself of the shower I had a stroll down Queen Street and met up with Jules who had sorted out my tickets. The exchange was duly made - a set of tickets for a couple of necessities from the UK (sure I got the good part of that deal even if I had paid a fair amount for said tickets already). From there, after a brief coffee, explore time. The Fan Zone down by the Wharf, with its Cloud building and its enormous bar area for big-screen game watching. A stroll from there down to the harbour, over a new footbridge past a fair few massive yachts, and a fair few completely bizarre structures. The sun was glorious, even if the wind was ever present.

Back to the fan zone for some lunch, and the South Africans were out in force ahead of their game against Samoa. There were a few Scots around too, though the English were probably as numerous, if a little more discrete. There isn't an English equivalent of a kilt and a silly hat, but I'm sure if there was the English rugby supporter would be just as visible as their Scottish brethren. Lunch was a few beers, fish and chips and a more than welcome re-run of Australia vs Ireland (best game of the tournament or just the New Zealanders way of putting a smile on their faces from the beginning of the day? I will let you know after I see whether they show it at the same time every day or not.

Back to the hotel for a brief kip, then the game was watched with a burger in the hotel bar. 5 Welsh, 1 Scot and 2 English with the same idea. South Africa showed promise, Samoa disappointed in the first half, but after Habana's try, a Morne Steyn penalty and a trademark penalty, seemingly from his own try line, from Frans Steyn (his name gets shorter with every RWC, will he be know simply as F in England in 2015?) had seen South Africa lead 13-0, the islanders woke up. 

A try, unconverted, and much bluster, until ref Owens on the advice of his assistant,m gave the first red card of the tournament to Williams of Samoa for punching Brussow. Brussow had had five flaps at Williams but escaped without punishment. Silly from Williams, but with ten minutes to go would it be decisive. Smit, who had replaced Du Plessis, was in benevolent mood and was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, after conceding a free kick from his only line-out. Try as they might, and did they try, Samoa couldn't cross the line to give the South Africans a bigger scare, and as the final whistle went, it confirmed South Africa as Group Winners and Wales as runners-up. 

The remainder of the weekend will see the last 5 positions in the Quarter Final draw filled. An Ireland win against Italy will see them take on Wales, while a defeat could mean anything. England and Scotland face off tonight, or tomorrow morning if you're in the UK, or this morning if you didn't read this before going to bed, knowing the losers face a flight home in all probability, or in an extremely unlikely case, a game against New Zealand while the winners will be saying Bonjour to the French, assuming they avoid a catastrophe against the Tongans.

Breakfast at the hotel was an interesting affair. This place has a bit of a feel of Twin Peaks about it, with slightly strange staff, all palid of skin wearing dark cloths (All Blacks comes from Vampires it would appear). Weetabix that don't look like Weetabix, anaemic Corn Flakes, muesli that looks ever more like rabbit food than usual, scrambled eggs with god knows what in, croissant to make a Frenchman's hair friser (work it out for yourselves Anglophones) I could go on. All this for the bargain of £7.50.... As the saying goes, "Once bitten, never again" Well it doesn't, but it does now.

So Day 1 in New Zealand is over for me. Great place, with friendly people (well those who go out in the daylight, eat garlic and aren't scared of crosses), and I've only seen the middle of Auckland. Can't wait to investigate further, but before then there are 7 games this weekend to get my teeth into.

Catch you later (unless I knock-on again...)

Dummy-spitting NZ Style

I'm in a hotel, early morning call to get to meeting in plenty of time, to get away in plenty of time to get to airport in plenty of time to allow for a quick pint before boarding the plane to AKL via LAX. Clear? Lovelyjubbly

Just had to write though after the ridiculous noises coming out of NZ Rugby's Steve Tew. Emotional blackmail twisted the IRB's arm to bankroll the tournament in New Zealand (which is being supported to the tune of millions of pounds to make up for the empty seats that were an obvious downside of an NZ Rugby World Cup - economy that size plus 4.5million inhabitants equals empty seats - at least till sheep are salaried and given driving licences....)

Tew is now saying that, given the commercial restrictions that the IRB place on participating nations, which are apparently draconian, the All Blacks who are (and I quote) "The brand leaders and big draws of international rugby" will possibly be forced not to participate in the 2015 version in England (which is in part there because of the guarantee that it will make money, which will in some way go towards patching up the IRB's bank account after the outpouring related to the 2011 Cup).

Time to stop taking the IRB hostage All Blacks. We get the point, your brand is strong worldwide, and everyone wants to watch you play. No doubt, you will twist arms further if/when you're crowned as Champions for the second time in a month or so's time.

Would you like all the remaining participating nations to pull out of this tournament now and go home? Citing the same reasons? Not being able to afford the remaining costs for the rest of the tournament? Big hole in New Zealand's profits were that to happen.... think of all the ticket refunds, and lost souvenir revenue, secondary and tertiary spends of all the spectators who cancel their flights......

Grow up and work with the IRB, not against them with all of this phoney posturing. While you're at it, try and build a team capable of winning the tournament outside of its own country..... ;-)

That is all for this short entry. I will see you from the other side of the world (after testing to see whether water does spiral down the drain in the opposite direction down there - I know, I know, it can go any way from anywhere).

A Big Week Ahead

So here we go, the last week of Pool Games before the Quarter Finals are defined, and there is still a fair bit to play for. While New Zealand know where they will be playing, they still don't know who, and the other 3 groups don't officially have anything decided, even if, to all intents and purposes, the draw should end up looking like this:

New Zealand vs Scotland/Argentina/England
winners to play
South Africa vs Australia

England/Argentina/Scotland vs France
winners to play
Ireland vs Wales

If you held a gun to my head and asked me what I thought, I, along with most, would probably say New Zealand vs Argentina and England vs France.

For Scotland to qualify, they need to beat England and either match or better their total of bonus points. Should that happen and Argentina beat Georgia with a bonus point, England can be eliminated. Should teams finish level, the head-to-head result is taken, which means anything could happen. Should all 3 teams finish on 14 points, it goes on tries scored. Confused yet? Here's hoping England win to avoid the need for the calculators. Obviously the fact that I'm English has a certain weight in this.....

Wales could in theory lose out, but they would need to lose to Fiji and see Samoa beat South Africa. South Africa could also lose out in that scenario, but given the Welsh and Springbok form, either of those losing would be a big surprise.

 Ireland and Australia could theoretically switch places, but that would need an Irish loss to Italy, and close though that came to happening in Rome earlier this year, I can't see them being, as Edmund Blackadder once said, "at home to Mr Cock-up" this time.

France could also conceivably lose out, but that would mean them losing to Tonga, by more than 8 points, with Tonga scoring 4 tries and France not.

Team of the World Cup..... so far
Pretty arbitrary this, but in my opinion, with brief (I promise) explanations:

1. Cian Healy (IRE) - Immense against the Aussies
2. William Servat (FRA) - He IS the French front row
3. Gethin Jenkins - a prop picked for a 40-yard try, a dummy and a sidestep on the way.
4. Paul O'Connell (IRE) - Back to his brutal best after injury
5. Danie Rossouw (SAF) - Botha and Matfield's are big boots to fill. He hasn't needed an extra pair of socks
6. Stephen Ferris (IRE) - 4 Irishmen in the pack? The effort against Australia deserves it
7. Sean O'Brien (IRE) - Dominant against Australia and Russia as Ireland gained momentum
8. Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe (ARG) - Talismanic effort against England and early against Scotland. Will be missed
9. Will Genia (AUS) - 1 bright spot for dismal Australia
10. Daniel Carter (NZL) - No fly half has really taken the tournament by the scruff of the neck yet. Carter did against France, so he gets the nod (for now)
11. Richard Kahui (NZL) - Consistently impressive
12. Ma'a Nonu (NZL) - Head and shoulders above every other centre on show
13. Frans Steyn (SAF) - Moved to centre, and impressed enormously since
14. Chris Ashton (ENG) - Leading try scorer, busy in every game
15. Israel Dagg (NZL) - Power, pace and precision

Itinerary
As any regular reader will know, I depart these shores on Wednesday afternoon and after a brief passage by the time-space continuum where I go back in time to suddenly go forward a day as I land in New Zealand, I will be landing in time for the weekend's do-or-die encounters.

I will be updating as and when I can from my hotel room, but here is a rough guide to the itinerary:

Sept 30th to October 3rd - Auckland (including England vs Scotland)
October 4th to October 8th - Queenstown
October 8th and 9th - Auckland (including both Eden park quarter finals)
October 10th and 11th - Wellington
October 12th to 14th - Rotorua
October 15th and 16th - Auckland (including both Semi Finals)
October 17th to 10th - To be arranged
October 21st to 25th - Auckland (including 3rd Place game and Final)

So seven games, three internal flights and probably 2 road trips. I intend to sample almost everything New Zealand life has to offer, though my current knee ligament injury will preclude a bungee jump (I'm well up for it, it's the knee that's stopping me honest).

I'll be hoping to grab some time with some big names of rugby past and present while there, so if I do manage to do that, there will hopefully be the odd Q & A session added here, to change things up a bit.... keep 'em peeled.

And finally....
The injustice has been talked about, and I have defended the IRB, but I really feel for Namibia. 4 games in 16 days is ridiculous when New Zealand will have played 4 games in 23. The Poll that people have been studiously avoiding, suggested people would be open to a 24 team tournament. I think it's time for the IRB to start standing up to the bigger Nations and insisting that they play 1 of the games at a non-peak slot, maybe against the smaller nation in the group, so that all teams have the level playing field they deserve.

There have been some strange Man of the Match awards at this tournament, with many of the lesser sides getting pummelled and seeing one of their side named MOTM. Gorgodze of Georgia against England, Du Plessis of Namibia in a drubbing by Wales are two that spring to mind. I'm still at a loss to explain how Ruaraidh Jackson (no, not how that first name can be said Rory) was named MOTM against Argentina.

3 ITV pundits (Evans, Dempsey and Fitzpatrick) were convinced Contepomi was offside. 3 NZ experts on host TV coverage were convinced it was not. Whatever the story, Scotland and referee Wayne Barnes could learn from the video. Scotland, rather than going towards the post to set up the drop and tying in Contepomi and the rest of the midfield, inexplicably went to the wing leaving the Puams an open route to Parks's right boot. Mr Barnes, was concentrating so much on the ruck, that he never even cast the slightest glance at the Argentinian line looking for offside. It may or may not have been offside, but if the referee doesn't look, it's irrelevant, and he's 'guessing'.

Beware the wounded Scot. I'm sure England will be ready for marauding warriors as Andy Robinson's men know what they have to do. There is history (Grand Slam in 1991; Grand Slam party-poopers in a rainy Murrayfield in 2000) but Martin Johnson and his coaching team will I'm sure not let complacency sink in this week.

In a poll for l'Equipe, the French sports newspaper, 64% of people said they had no confidence in Marc Lievremont. I'm sure given the way he looks at things, he thinks that's a good showing....

Fiji, quarter finalists 4 years ago, have slumped to their lowest ever World Ranking (16). After the last round of games. For the record, Argentina and Scotland swapped places (8 & 9), Samoa moved up to 10, relegating Italy and Canada to 11 and 12, while Tonga and Georgia leaped over Japan and Fiji (13th to 16th in that order). Doe these mean anything? Probably not, but at the top end, New Zealand are well clear, and that reflects performances so far I believe.

England are back up to 30, after Thomas Waldrom was finally announced as replacement for Andrew Sheridan. A Number 8 for a prop, A New Zealander for an Englishman. Nick Easter has been given till Sunday (Easter/Sunday - too many gags are possible so I won't bother.... yet) and if he fails a fitness test he will be replaced. Given the first swap, maybe a 38 year-old ex fly-half who hasn,t played for 14 years is an option.... I warm a mean bench if you're reading Jonno.

Harlequins continue to lead the way in the English Premiership. Though this week's start performers were Saracens, who came away from Welford Road, Leicester having put 50 points on an ever-more depleted Tigers side (Waldrom is a Tiger for those not in the know). Hard times for Leicester indeed. Exeter also continued their good start as the Premiership, as is its wont every 4 years, turns itself on its head while the International players are away.

Clermont still lead the way in France, with Toulouse scraping by Agen this weekend and following three points behind. The 26 game season in France is a long one, and many sides have seen huge departures to the World Cup (Argentinians, Italians, Georgians, Englishmen and even the odd Frenchman). There will be some tired legs come the Heineken Cup Final and the Top 14 Final next summer.

That's all for now folks. There may be more tomorrow evening, but if not, forgive me if there is no entry till Friday, as I will be in a metallic bird flying off on the adventure of a life line.

Any questions, criticism, etc can be sent here as a Comment, to my e-mail marktheeggchaser@googlemail.com or on my Twitter account @theeggchaser (follow me and add me to your #ff list if you don't mind).

See y'all soon

RWC Day 17: A Tale Of 1 Missed Tackle

Discretion formed the better part of valour this morning, as much though I wanted to watch the Fiji-Samoa battle, I decided against the alarm call. The alarm then decided to not work, which meant that Ireland vs Russia fell by the wayside too, but the natural body clock stepped in, and I was ensconced in front of the TV in plenty of time for the anthems.

A lot was at stake for both sides, with Argentina knowing defeat would see them out, and Scotland that, were they to lose, the chances were they would need a convincing win against England at Eden Park next weekend to progress to the Quarter Finals.

The nerves meant much kicking, but Scotland eventually settled first, and secured ball on a few occasions. Patterson it was who had the first chance of points, but his kick, though seeming to be curling round nicely, just held up and faded right to leave the game scoreless.

Argentina were spurred into action, and looked particularly powerful up front as they had done all tournament. From under the sticks, Rodriguez decided to take a drop goal and ease their nerves, but the kick was as ugly as the game had been thus far, and screwed wide.

The scrum was also messy, and the stakes had seemingly affected every element of the game meaning no rhythm could be created. As Di Luca was penalised for a second time for not releasing, Contepomi had a go at goal which fell short. Argentina didn't let the Scots clear their line and a clever chip from Fernandez ensured good position, which was spoiled by Scottish offside, and Contepomi slotted the easiest of three points to break the deadlock.

Pumas big man Fernandez Lobbe then went down in midfield in a seemingly innocuous clash, which resulted in the skipper spending a long period on the ground. Ligament damage seemed to be the order of the day, a big blow to Argentina's hopes were he to go off, but he tried to continue, heavily strapped. At the next scrum, Cross was penalised and Rodriguez missed from distance, leaving the score at 3-0 after 24 minutes.

Scotland were following the French example from the day before, with a bright start ultimately fizzling out into nothing. They were fortunate that the Pumas themselves were struggling, and when Scotland finally started to produce through the dancing feet of Evans and the more direct style of Lamont, they were stopped ten metres out with an 8th turnover of a sloppy first half.

It struck me that were you to combine England's indiscipline with Scotland's chronic ability to give the ball away through turnovers, you would have a pretty poor side. Next week's game could be interesting....

Hamilton finally turned a ball over for the Scots, but pedestrian hands from Jackson and a bad option from Morrison saw things go wrong again. Argentina conceded a penalty at the breakdown though, only for Jackson to wastefully miss touch. Jackson was proving that Scotland have difficulties at 10.

Lobbe's brave attempt to continue ended on 30 minutes. My experience of knee injuries suggests his World Cup could be over. Gray stole the next line-out for Scotland, but again Argentina snuffed out the danger. Much of Scotland's good work was coming from Evans, who the Argentinians could not bring down.

Roncero was penalised in his own 22, much to the chagrin of Ledesma, but he clearly slipped his binding and came  off slightly the worse for wear. Meanwhile, Patterson was preparing himself for a big kick, which he succeeded with, to bring things level.

Scotland were, on the whole, the better side but the breakdown area would concern them greatly. At least their problems could be worked on, as Argentina saw Roncero join Lobbe on the bench as Talisman after Talisman was lost. Argentinian discipline was also on the wain, and another break from Evans, backed up for once by Di Luca, resulted in a penalty for not releasing the tackled man, and Jackson smashed a long kick which cleared the bar by millimetres to give the Scots the lead. Half time: Argentina 3 Scotland 6


Hamilton came more and more into the game as it went on, using his huge frame to pose problems in the tight and the loose. Gray and Jacobsen were also making their presence felt.

Argentina started the second half with another drop goal attempt. When I say attempt, I am being generous. It was short, wide and ugly. Scotland cleared to touch easily, before wasting a turnover through another aimless Jackson kick. Scotland had improved though up front, where Argentina, weakened by those injuries, were not the force they had been against England and Romania.

Evans again burst, kicked ahead and gathered, but after Barclay recycled, Lawson isolated himself and the Argentinians turned over yet again and cleared to touch, though Scotland would have a great attacking line-out position. Typically, they lost the line-out, and with the rain continuing to pour, conditions began to suit the attritional style of game, and the repeated errors of Jackson must surely have tempted Robinson to bring on the metronomic Parks who would thrive in these conditions.

Argentina kept things tight and inched forward, refusing to kick, preferring to keep it in hand, but not really piercing the Scottish defence with any pace, and Hamilton, again, turned over an excellent ball, allowing Jackson, for once to put in a good kick and send the Pumas back where they had come from. From under the sticks, Patterson wasted another drop goal chance, and neither side seemed capable of taking their chances.

It was ebb and flow stuff, interesting if never really exhilarating, and after Jacobsen was caught offside, Contepomi tried to level things up, but missed left. Patterson knocked on in his own half, and from the scrum, Cross was penalised and Contepomi tied the scores at 6 points each after 63 minutes.

The game was crying out for Parks, and Jackson prodded Robinson again with a bad kick-off. Argentina couldn't make the most of it though and Scotland sensed a chance. Third phase ball saw it shipped back to Jackson, way back, and he sent the Scots 3 points clear with the first successful drop goal of an increasingly wet evening.

The Pumas nudged once more into Scottish territory, and referee Barnes penalised Hamilton for not releasing in the tackle. Contepomi hit the left hand upright and Scotland stayed in the lead. Parks eventually replaced Jackson with 11 minutes to go and after Hamilton stole yet another line-out, Argentina conceded a penalty on halfway. Parks' first touch saw a kick land inside the Argentinian 5 metre line. Scotland recycled and drew the Pumas offside, and from the 'free ball' Parks slotted a drop goal with his second touch. Realism in such conditions is way better than creativity, as Parks proved within 120 seconds of his arrival on the pitch. 12-6 and daylight at last.

Argentina were spurred into life though and Contepomi broke in midfield, before shipping to Amorosino who was missed by Patterson, amongst others, and went over for the first try of the night. Contepomi had struggled in the conditions, but he managed to squeeze the conversion over to give the Pumas the lead 13-12.

As time ticked by, Argentina seemed to have killed the game, but conceded a penalty. Comedy of errors time, as Parks went for broke and pushed it. Amorosino from hero to villain fumbled it into touch and Scotland won the lineout and rumbled to the line. Argentina's backs bolted very quickly and were well offside and Parks messed the drop goal attempt badly.

Ultimately, that was that. A missed tackle had ultimately cost Scotland a game they could and should have won. There will be calls that Contepomi was offside, which I think he was, but Scotland should never have been in that position as the missed tackle by Patterson shortly after they had taken a 6 point lead, killed the game.

Full Time Argentina 13 Scotland 12. 

Scotland now need to beat England and in doing so and either match or better them in the bonus points stakes to qualify for the Quarter Finals, something they have always done. Argentina need to patch up their walking wounded in time for Georgia.

Apparently Jackson was voted Man of the Match. I must have been watching a different game to everyone else. Evans was superb, as was Hamilton, and Contepomi orchestrated everything Argentina did. Still, no accounting for taste I suppose, but Jackson did far too much aimless kicking for my liking.

RWC Day 16: All Blacks - Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger

As the game approached, I pondered the fact that, in 1 week's time, I would be nervously sat, clad in white, awaiting the kick-off of England vs Scotland in Eden Park. 24 of those hour would be spent above the earth in a flying tin can, and 12 would mysteriously disappear somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, as Wednesday, Thursday and Friday would meld into one bizarre, mentally-sapping day.

Post-Haka, France kicked off looking distinctly like England, though I'm sure not an ounce of English energy will be expended whinging about it (see previous comments re England's away kit from NZ quarters). 2 and a half French scrum halfs on the pitch at the start (referee Rolland being the half if anyone is interested).

France started the better, and only the post stopped a Parra drop goal giving them a deserved lead. When he kicked out wide, Traille and Jane went for the same ball, and Traille knocked on. No penalty, and I can imagine living rooms in France exploded in anger.

If points were awarded for territory and possession, France would have been ahead after 8 minutes, which had been almost exclusively played in the New Zealand half. As it was, at the set-piece, it was the French who ceded, allowing Carter to clear things to half-way and the vast majority of the crowd to breathe deeply.

If you don't take the points when you have such an obvious upper-hand, you pay. Nonu sped through and almost got to the line himself thanks to poor tackling from back row and full back alike, Dagg fed Thompson from the recycled ball, and New Zealand had a relatively undeserved lead which Carter failed to extend.

I've seen New Zealand take apart France on two occasions in Paris and Marseille, and with these 5 points on the board so early, I did wonder whether it would be the World Cup France, on the back of consecutive victories against the All Blacks, or the more recent France who would react.

Thompson gave away a penalty an English forward would have been proud of, allowing France to clear, but only temporarily, as Kahui's hit on Traille gave the momentum for McCaw to turn over for the first time on his 100th Test appearance. From the subsequent line-out, the ball reached Jane in midfield as the French were expecting things to go wide, but he cut back and waltzed round static French defence to score. Carter succeeded where he had previously failed and New Zealand realism led French toothless promise 12-0. But not for long, Carter ambled through and fed Dagg who strolled under the posts, letting Carter add the extras for 19-0.

New Zealand have never let a team get within 20 points in a World Cup game on their own soil, and it didn't look like tonight would be the night.

After 26 minutes of the game, I found the soundtrack for it: Daft Punk - Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger. Add in Smarter, Keener, Brighter and countless other adjectives that don't scan into the title, and you get the picture. Remember 1999 said a French friend via Facebook (look for The Egg Chaser and 'like'). You can't fault the French for their blind optimism.

The first negative of a first half that could not have gone any better for the All Blacks saw Jane walk off to be replaced by Tarzan in the form of Sonny Bill Williams. Szarzewski repeated Faingaa's error of the day before by getting his head in the wrong place in the tackle, and Rolland blew up to prevent further injury. Picamoles was by far the most effective Frenchman, but 1 man can't beat 15, unless he has a whistle in his mouth I suppose, and his efforts continued to be in vain.

Yachvili dived after contact with Vito, but was fine two minutes later to attempt and succeed with a kick. France on the board at last, but it only served to sting New Zealand back into action until a penalty conceded for holding on on the ground (McCaw) allowed the French to bring a torrid half to an end. Half time: New Zealand 19 France 3


As the inquests started over ballons de vin rouge and Gauloises in Parisian cafes, or Guinness in Bastille bars, New Zealand hot the ground running; running indeed through a French defence that resembled a particularly hole-filled gruyere, for Dagg to go over virtually untouched and earn a bonus point. Dagg was a last minute change to my Fantasy team, which was nice.

France's front row really struggled. Clueless and leaderless, they resembled a train-wreck more and more with every passing minute. Scrummage penalised, Carter pounded on more misery. 29-3 and the only question now was "How bad could this get?"

There must have been smiles emerging on Tongan faces elsewhere in New Zealand, as they sensed the potential to cause an upset. As I typed that, Mermoz, from a position of comfortable offside, intercepted and ran home to get the French over the New Zealand line for the first time. Yachvili converted to make the score 29-10. Surely not.....

Carter and Dagg were the influential forces behind the scrum, but Whitelock, the most under-rated of the All Blacks' pack was the real driving force for me.

Rolland was helping the French during the second half, seeing the scrum consistently in their favour and giving three penalties which allowed the French to edge into New Zealand territory, but the All Blacks turned over ball, nudged back into French territory, and Carter did the rest with a drop goal to stretch the lead to 22 points. Only his 4th drop goal in Tests, which shows the way they play their rugby down in those parts.

France changed things somewhat, and with Thompson down and Dagg limping, they recycled time and again, before earning a penalty. The period showed that not all Rugby League converts have the off-loading ability of SBW, as Estebanez tried it in somewhat less smooth fashion.

Thompson had to limp off and France almost instantly made the most of it. Servat rumbling towards the line with his pack behind him. Carter got his body in the right place though, and the ball was held up. Another French penalty from the scrum (for not binding) saw the pressure continue as the French desperately searched for a high to end the game on. Woodcock was read the riot act for three consecutive penalties, and while this was happening, France took a quick tap and Trinh-Duc dived over. Strange decision this, as Rolland was still talking to the skipper and Woodcock. Opportunism at its best for France though, who had somehow gained respectability at 32-17 with 4 minutes to go.

Ali Williams took the kick-off though, fed Slade, who allowed the ball to be recycled, before Nonu, Smith and SBW combined for the latter to slide in the corner. A 5th try, unconverted this time, re-emphasised the All Black dominance. Game over. 5 tries to 2, a comfortable run-out for New Zealand who won by the same margin they had done when they had last played France in a World Cup on home soil.

Full Time: New Zealand 37 France 17

The lack of joy which greeted the second half French tries in their coaches' box said it all. This was a hammering. France started reasonably well, but were toothless and given a lesson in effective use of the ball by the excellent New Zealand backs. Nonu and Smith are head and shoulders above every other centre partnership in this tournament, and with Carter back to something approaching his best, and Kahui, Jane, Williams and mainly Dagg providing the rapier like penetration out wide, they put the French to the sword.

Credit though to the French. In the second half, they at least showed some drive and punch, leading to Mermoz's, admittedly offside for me, interception try and a cheekily Yachvili-inspired second try for Trinh-Duc, who I must also credit for giving France more of an option than the makeshift 10 Parra had.

Still, a rugby lesson for France and the watching world. New Zealand win Pool A and enter the half of the draw where they are likely to come across their Southern hemisphere cousins. France find themselves in the shoes occupied by England 4 years ago. Should Tonga beat France and score a bonus point, they would squeeze out the French. Unlikely though that may be, France's passage to an Auckland QF i still not 100% confirmed.

D'avance, je m'excuse, n'ayant pas d'accents sur ce clavier.

Afin de digerer ce match, je suis alle faire mes courses. Pour ce midi, j'ai pris un peu de brie francais. Et ceci a bien resume le match de ce matin. Il avait l'air tres bien dans le paquet, les premieres gorgees etaient tres bonnes, mais au bout de ses premiers gouts, j'avais quand meme l'impression qu'il me manquait quelquechose. Telles devraient etre les pensees de Marc Lievremont cette nuit a Auckland.


Un debut de match a la fois epoustouflant, a la fois sans de vrais dents, de la part des francais n'a rien apporte. Le drop de Parra touche le poteau, et Picamoles, de loin le meilleur avant francais, faisait un en avant en essayant de rattraper le ballon en position d'attaque. 8 minutes de jeu passe exclusivement en territoire All Blacks, sans rien.... peur ca fait!


En effet, les All Blacks ayant enfin eu leur reveil, marquait trois fois en douze minutes. Thompson, Jane et Dagg profitant d'une defence papier-mache des bleus. Carter en transformait deux sur trois, et 19-0 apres 26 minutes laissait venir des souvenir de defaites torrides a Paris et Marseille ses dernieres annees, plutot qu'aux deux victoires consecutives a la Coupe du Monde. 


Les trois points de Yachvili qui fermait cette premiere periode laissait un peu d'espoir aux francais, mais 'peu' etait le mot cle.


Apres dix minutes dur (on imagine) avec les entraineurs, les francais devaient commencer cette deuxieme mi-temps comme ils avaient demarre le match. Devaient commencer, mais n'ont pas commence.... Direct du coup d'envoi, la balle arrivait entre les mains de Dagg et l'essai du point de bonus, qui tuait lui aussi tout espoir francais, est arrive. 


La France etait sans inspiration, et le capitaine, qui aurait du etre dans la gueule et de ses joueurs, et de l'adversaire en montrant le chemin a ses coequipiers, etait completement anonyme. un melee qui s'ecroule, penalite All Black, Carter reussit. 29-3. Trop facile... beaucoup trop facile. Mais, de nulle part, sont venu deux morceaux d'aide. M. Rolland, qui depuis le debut discutait longuement en francais avec les bleus, commencait a voir la melee en faveur des francais. De plus, Mermoz, qui pour moi etait hors-jeu d'un bon metre, interceptait la longue passe de son ex-pot Perpignanais Carter, et marquait l'essai. 


Revenir, ceci dit, etait impossible, et un drop de Carter avancait le scoreboard a 32-10, et la possibilite de 50 points existait toujours. L'introduction de Servat, changait pas mal de choses, et a la melee et dans le ruck et maul, et penalite apres penalite contre les avants Neo-Zelandais provoquait une discussion entre Woodcock, McCaw (100eme selection) et M. Rolland). Discussion a peine terminee, Yachvili tappe vite, passe a Trinh-Duc, qui lui aussi faisait bonne impression des son arrivee, et celui-ci marque le deuxieme essai francais (essai transforme par Yachvili de nouveau). 


Un peu decu par la facon que cet essai soit marque, les All Blacks prenait le coup d'envoi (Ali Williams), recyclait apres le plaquage sur Slade, et avec l'aide de Nonu et Smith, SB Williams marquait le 5eme essai, sans transformation de Carter, pour ramener le score a 37-17, ce qui fut le score final.


Apres 8 bonnes minutes, les francais sont completement passe a cote de leur match. Picamoles a part peut-etre. Les All Blacks etaient plus forts, plus rapides, mieux, plus grands, plus intelligents, plus astucieux.... Je pourrais continuer. C'etait une victoire logique, et personne n'aurait eu a se plaindre si c'etait d'une marge encore plus grande.


Lievremont, quant a lui, prepare le match contre le Tonga avec de vrais dilemmes. La qualification n'est pas encore 100% assuree, et certains joueurs ont publiquement critique ses choix et ses propos. Sa carriere d'entraineur a encore 1, 2, ou 4 matchs. Ce ne serait qu'un optimiste qui verrait, apres cette performance, la France en demi finale pour la 5eme fois de suite.... 

RWC Day 16: England vs Themselves

After a week without match reports due to travelling and games being inconsiderately scheduled for when I was at work, I settled down to watch England vs Romania knowing full well that there would be a lot to write on. England would either be rampant, or would continue to frustrate.

It was a lightning start by Johnson's men, good hands against a Romanian side who seemed to be as offside as the Irish in their prime. Wilkinson kicked an early penalty, and you could have argued that that was game over. A couple of penalties against England at the breakdown led to thoughts of the indiscipline that had replaced, thank God, stories of dwarf throwing, kissing blondes and bungee jumping in the written press this week.

Danger threatened each time they got their hands on the ball. Only a pass adjudged slightly forward stopped a first try after a third break in 8 minutes from Tuilagi. But solid defence, allied to astute slowing down of the ball by the Romanians, kept them out once more. Penalised at the breakdown once more, Romania gave England a chance to set-up a driving maul, at which they were penalised again but from the resulting line-out, England finally ghosted through the offside defence and Ashton fed Cueto, who went over wide out for a score which Wilkinson failed to convert.

Romania were playing anti-rugby at any opportunity, and with Poite having a confused first 20, they got away with it to a large extent. Penalised though finally after three phases where they could have been, Youngs tapped and went, and the ball arrived in Cueto's arms for his and England's second try. Wilkinson converted this time to make it 15-0.

England once beat Romania 134-0 at Twickenham, and while this game was never going to be as one-sided as that, England were looking to build on the base they had given themselves and run away as South Africa and Australia had done earlier in the week. England were noticeably sharper at the breakdown, and Youngs and Ashton sniping at every available opportunity, the ball went through hands, somewhat laboured on this occasion, for Cueto's hat-trick try in the corner, which was approved by the TMO. It had taken 5 minutes longer than Adam Ashley-Cooper's record yesterday but a 12 minute hat-trick was a reasonable return to the side.

England's efforts were much better both at the breakdown and with ball in hand. From the top of the line-out, Haskell fed Wilkinson, who, with a neat and easy inside pass, fed Ashton who flew over to get himself on the board after watching fellow wing Cueto go over 3 times. Wilkinson converted this one, and virtually from the kick off, Youngs again broke through, and, this time through Thompson and Deacon, fed Ashton, who made it Cueto 3 Ashton 2. Wilkinson made it 4 kicks from 6 from the corner, as he seemed to be returning to something like his best form.

Deacon was penalised from the kick-off for obstruction, and Dumbrava ensured that the ignominy of the whitewash was avoided as he converted the penalty, before Dumitras pushed a second chance wide of the posts from halfway and after a brainless Thompson penalty Dumbrava hit the post, as Romania ended the half on a relative high. Half Time: England 34 Romania 3


20 seconds after the restart, Youngs was fed by Tuilagi and joined the ever-growing list of scorers, Flood, who had replaced Wilkinson at half-time, failed with the conversion. Romania opted to try for 3 yet again as England conceded 2 quick penalties, but Dumbrava was off line once more.

It was England who seemed like they would score every time they got the ball, and they got it right for a 7th try, when Tuilagi took a flat ball and fed Foden, who went under the sticks allowing Flood to convert easily.

Romania then threatened England's line for a good 4 minutes, but England stood firm, and fair, and allowed Youngs to clear. The pack were dominant, the backs incisive, but changes seemed to break the rhythm, and indeed when Thompson was replaced by Mears, they had used their entire squad in a little over 2 and a half games.

Youngs then tapped again, before feeding Tuilagi, who broke a tackle and went over for his first score, and England's 8th of an increasingly one-way evening. Flood's conversion made it 53-3. Romania missed another penalty, a bizarre option when led by 50 points, before the 2 wingers got involved again and sent Croft in in the corner. Flood succeeded once more, and he did again three minutes later after Palmer and the excellent Haskell fed the ubiquitous Ashton, who finished his own hat-trick in rather less exuberant fashion than we have been accustomed to.

There were still 9 minutes to go, and Armitage should have been given his chance, but Poite played an inexplicably long advantage and called play back for a Romania scrum. Another knock-on saw Ashton brought back as England pushed for one more score. In a breathless end to things, both sides threatened, but neither could cross the line, and England settled for a multi-try performance, with slightly increased discipline.

Full Time: England 67 Romania 3


Better discipline from England, and with their two finishers starring with a hat-trick apiece. Ashton and Cueto have both had relatively try-less periods in recent times, and confidence must be returning to both. Tuilagi continues to find his feet at International level, but Tindall looked ponderous at times again in the centre, a mile from his performance against ireland in Dublin some weeks back. The pack was never really tested, but Haskell must surely have done enough to show Martin Johnson that Easter is the past.

What can you say about Romania? They were rugged, had a game plan to slow everything down and infringe where they could, and it worked as the referee missed a lot of offside and hands in the ruck. They missed several kicks at goal which could have put a gloss on the scoreboard, but frankly they were trounced by an England side who probably should have scored more than the ten tries they managed.

Not a lot more than an acceptable piece of progress for the English, who if not playing unopposed, were at times strolling. Cue the ITV platitudes, and how England were a World Cup force once more. Poppycock. Games like this tell you nothing of a side's ability to win World Cup's, the experts should be aware of this surely!

RWC Day 13: Donde esta le Rugby?

Spain. World and European football Champions. Home of, arguably, the greatest football side to ever have existed. Home of one of tennis's greatest ever exponents. Home of golf's great showman (RIP Seve). Home of 2 of last season's Heineken Cup Quarter Finals.....

Rugby World Cup vacuum! (why is it however you write vacuum it always looks wrong? It's like seized)

Only the various Irish, British and French expats seem even remotely interested, and consequently getting the chance to watch any action is virtually impossible.

That's my excuse for the lack of match reports this week, though to be thorough, I've missed an Italian stroll against Russia (9 tries to 3) and an enjoyable (by all accounts) 6 try (3 each) loss for Japan against Tonga. This latter game sounded like it had everything, with 2 yellow cards and Dave Pearson, judging by the text commentary I have read, going to the TMO every 5 minutes to see whether his hair looked alright.

Off the field, the New Zealand media has got its knickers in a twist about France fielding a weakened side and disrespecting them and the Cup. Rubbish. France have picked the strongest and most appropriate side they can. Players have been switched, as, for example, old man Servat has 30 minutes max in his legs after a couple of games already, so Swarzewski - fresh from making crystals - who is an experienced international anyway, comes in). Trinh-Duc has been dire, giving credence to my ultimately accurate if somewhat derogatory nickname for him of Trouduc (ask a Frenchman). Did the All Blacks disrespect the Tongans or Japanese by fielding weakened sides against them I ask myself, or is the boot only allowed to be worn on one foot?

Royalty arrived in the shape of Mrs Tindall this week as well. No doubt she is here for "crisis talks" over her marriage. Seriously, can the Daily Mail not simply get a life or, maybe more to the delight of most, do a 'News of the World'?

Some huge games this weekend: France B vs New Zealand as discussed, and Argentina vs Scotland being the undoubted pick in terms of those games with the most quality, in the first case, and the most riding on it, in the second. Fiji have a lot to play for against Samoa too, as they could set-up a winner takes all clash vs Wales in their final game.

Thomas Waldrom, Leicester number 8, has been flown out to New Zealand as back-up (pun intended) for Nick Easter who has a sore back (too much bungee jumping or a particularly heavy dwarf that he threw?). I can't help feeling there still remains doubt about Lewis Moody's knee too, which is why more urgency was attached to Waldrom's flight reservation than to that of a replacement prop for Andy Sheridan - still not announced unless I have missed something.

That's all for now. I'm off out for some of Barcelona's finest grub. Well, I'm in an industrial suburb of Barcelona, so I'm off to sit outside a grotty pizza place and eat some typically Spanish tagliatelle carbonara. The locals have been excitedly jabbering about Valencia vs Barcelona live on TV at 22:00 local time all day, when frankly, I'd rather ask the hotel bar to turn on the highlights of Tonga vs Japan..... Wonder what my chances are??

Hasta manana

Fixture Controversy: Big Boy Bias Or Sour Samoan Grapes?

I know I said I would be less likely to post this week, but an extraordinary Tweet from Samoa's Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolo (I love a short name) which effectively compared the IRB's treatment of Samoa to slavery, the holocaust and apartheid; a little excessive (or maybe that should be ixcissive if I want to be understood in NZ) I think you'll agree.

I don't know if they make wine on Samoa, and to be honest if they do, I can't imagine it lives up to a nice Cote Rotie, Sancerre or Montepulciano. This year's vintage, given the tweeted comments from within the Samoan camp, would be particularly nasty given the hint of sour grapes contained therein.

Or would it? Is there some basis in the comments that the smaller teams are badly treated versus their more illustrious, and more importantly, richer in terms of influence, adversaries. Let's look at the evidence.

Each team at this World Cup plays 4 Pool games. The nature of the tournament and the need to maximise the exposure and financial return from each game means that only one game goes on at any one time. That instantly means that, in Pools with an odd-number of teams, there will always be one side who misses out on a 'Matchday' and gets a longer rest than their next opponent.

Samoa only had 3 days off before their crunch game with Wales, which is where the comments have their origin, but let's look at the tournament as a whole and see what we can see. The table below shows the teams with the shortest break between games that they have at this World Cup:

6 - New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, 

5 - France, England, Australia, Ireland, Wales, 

4 - Tonga, Japan, Italy, Russia, South Africa

3 - Canada, Scotland, Romania, Georgia, USA, Namibia (twice), Samoa 

So 3 teams have 6 days between all of their games, including a lesser nation in Fiji, while Scotland fall into the 3 day break category, while Italy and reigning champions South Africa only have a 4 day break on one occasion. 

My conclusion then is, unfair? Yes, but as clear-cut as the Samoans are making out? No. 

It's all very well stating the inequality of this situation, but there are a few things that need saying here. The fixture list has been known for donkeys ages, and all Nations agree to the fundamentals of it before it is produced and once more before it is issued. 

An equitable way of doing things would be to say that the Pools are drawn and then the sides randomly allocated to a slot in the Pool, which would give New Zealand, Italy, Samoa, Namibia and Liechtenstein an equal chance at suffering the smallest break. But, and it is a big but, the bigger Nations, with their financial clout, will push for their games to be played at times when they can guarantee a bigger TV audience. The smaller sides need to take this into consideration, as if England were playing at 0900 UK time on a Wednesday morning, the TV revenue would be substantially less, and the TV companies would be pushing for a 16 team tournament with games on weekends. 

So, what can be done? We have seen much praise this year for the improved performances of the lesser Nations, and could we take this and push for a step forward to 24 teams in 2015? Portugal, Uruguay, Spain, Chile, Belgium, Morocco, Hong Kong would all relish a chance I am sure. The teams could be split into 6 Pools of 4, 3 games each, with similar breaks between matches within each Pool. Top 2 in each Pool plus 4 best 3rd placed teams go through to the last 16, where knock-out rugby starts. Same number of games for the winners, everyone's a winner. There would be some very one-sided pool games (New Zealand vs Hong Kong or England vs Belgium could be record scores) but it solves the perceived problem as stated today. This model was used in Football's World Cup between 1986 and 1994 and was only scrapped as the tournament needed to grow to 32 teams. 

So there are solutions. Reduce the tournament numbers or increase them (16 games less or 4 games more). Both are feasible. Both have their own negatives. As does the current format. 

You've read the arguments, now vote in the Poll that should be up at the top of the page. If you've read this before I've had the chance to put the poll up, then check back later.

The Best Rugby World Cup Ever.... so far

It would be fair to say that, thus far, the 7th Rugby World Cup has surpassed all expectations. Usually by this point, with 19 games having been played, most people would have predicted all 19 winners correctly, and we would have had a couple of really one-sided encounters. The written media would have been filling column inches with questions about the tournament format, and whether 20 teams, with heavy defeats for the smaller ones, was such a good idea.

This time it's been different. Not many predicted Ireland's victory over Australia. Canada's victory over Tonga was not universally foreseen either. Many games which 4 or 8 years ago would have seen big margin, bonus point victories have been much closer this time around (Scotland-Romania, USA-Russia, Ireland-USA, Scotland-Georgia) and smaller nations have stayed close to their bigger brethren for much longer this time round (France-Japan and Canada, England-Georgia and Australia-Italy). This is to say nothing of the knife-edge games between South Africa and Wales, England and Argentina and Wales and Samoa.

Only Japan have been on the end of a true drubbing, and I think that owed quite a lot to some bad tactics from the coach, who seemed to play into the All Blacks' hands.

It is quite sensationalistic to call this World Cup the best ever (so far) but I think it's indisputably the case and I challenge anyone to successfully argue otherwise.

Team Rankings
As most teams (Italy and Russia aside) have played 2 games each, I thought I would look at what I consider to be my rankings so far. As ever, I await your comments and criticism with baited breath.

8 out of 10 - New Zealand
I think New Zealand are undoubtedly the most impressive side I have seen, admittedly against slightly weaker opposition, but they have shown none of the teething problems that the other major nations have.

7 out of 10 - South Africa, France, Ireland, England
South Africa, France, Ireland and England have all won their opening games, but not without their critics. France have spluttered and stuttered and left it late to score bonus points in games against lower ranked teams. South Africa could and should have lost to Wales, and England survived a fraught encounter with Argentina before showing promise at times against Georgia. Ireland played their bast game in years to beat Australia, and their worst for a while in their struggle against the USA.

6.5 out of 10 - Australia, Wales, Argentina
Australia have played 1 good half of rugby in 2 games, the 2nd against Italy. Defeat against Ireland was disappointing, obviously, but more concerning in the way they capitulated under irish pressure. Wales, impressive against South Africa, were fortunate against Samoa. A tricky start though has been overcome and there are signs of promise. Argentina threatened against England for 60 minutes before eventually falling short and put the Romanians to the sword effectively to be placed slightly ahead of the Scots in my mind.

6 out of 10 - Scotland
The Scots have struggled to beat 2 lesser sides, in admittedly tricky conditions at times, but they are on the road to 2 big games with a genuine dollop of confidence.

5.5 out of 10 - Italy, Samoa, Fiji
Italy performed well for 40 minutes in their only game before letting Australia get away. Samoa were at times brilliant against Namibia, and but for a tired second half against Wales, could have been swapping places with the Welsh and sitting pretty for the Quarter Finals. Fiji strolled to victory against Namibia and fell to pieces against Australia. Their destiny remains in their own hands.

5 out of 10 - USA, Canada, Georgia
All 3 performed solidly against big name opposition and while the USA and Canada have wins on the board, Georgia have to wait to play Romania for their chance at a win.

4.5 out of 10 - Romania, Russia, Tonga
The Romanians threatened a major shock against the Scots before losing their way against Argentina. Russia, in their only game, showed they have ability, and a seven point defeat saw a losing bonus point debut. Tonga did well in the second half against an All Blacks side in cruise mode, but suffered a disappointing defeat against Canada in a game they had targeted for a win.

4 out of 10 - Japan, Namibia
Japan showed well in the first half against France, but struggled for the other 3 halves. Namibia promised much against Samoa but couldn't repeat the performance against Fiji.

And Finally....
You wait 20 years for a Pool game without a try and then 2 come along.... After Scotland's tame victory against a durable Georgia side, Ireland and Australia produced no tries in a game which was thrilling in spite of no try action. Both finished 15-6 for the record.

Vincent Clerc leads the way in terms of Try scorers - his 5 courtesy of a double against Japan and a hat-trick against Canada, pip Goneva of Fiji and Kahui of New Zealand with 4, and Tuilagi of Samoa who has 3.

4 yellow cards have been issued in 19 games, which is admirable in terms of player discipline and referee restraint. England have received two of those, Samoa and Romania 1 each. Argentina being the beneficiaries on 2 occasions.

Criticism has been heaped on the kickers so far, as the percentage of successful goal kicks is not as high as in previous tournaments. Is it the new ball? I think it may have something to do with it, but not all kickers are struggling. My take is that those who drive the ball lower seem to have more success than those who float it up high. Look out for this in the next few games.

A day off from matches on  Monday before we see at least one game every day for 9 days. Empty the Sky plus boxes folks, and get ready to record them as most will be happening while you're at work, though the weekend will see 2 games on Saturday and 3 more on Sunday, so the third marathon fix is only a week away.

Harlequins in England and Clermont in France continue to make the early season running in their Championships. This weekend saw Harlequins blitz Gloucester by 36 points, while Clermont went to last season's semi finalist Racing Paris and came away with the points.

Enjoy the steady trickle of rugby this week. I will be a distant spectator from Barcelona for a few days, but will be back at some point with some pithy comment I am sure. Next weekend will see some more reports though, in between the packing of the suitcase as I prepare to fly to the party.

RWC Day 10: France Trop Fort; France Too Strong

France vs Canada 

(French version in blue, English summary follows)

Sous un ciel couvert, et une pluie 'vache qui pisse' la France commençait avec l'idée de jouer comme le Fidji au jeu a 7. Mais les premiers a marquer étaient les Canadiens, avec une pénalité de Pritchard. Les conditions étaient vraiment mauvaises, pluie et terre trompe, et un coup de pied de Trinh-Duc échappait a Pritchard et tombait pour Clerc, qui marquait sans problème, avant que Parra ajoutait la transformation. 7-3 après 5 minutes. 

Canada montrait a quel point ils apprenaient rapidement, et le coup de pied de Monro, une balle qui faisait boule de flipper et Smith profitait pour marquer un essai dans l'image de celui de Clerc. Pritchard transformait, 10-7 après 8 minutes! Game on!

Dans les douze premiers minutes, le Canada exerçait la pression, mais une mêlée écroulée laissait l'occasion a Trinh-Duc de mettre la balle dans les 22 Canadiens. Les français gardaient la balle et recyclaient bien, et après une faute au sol, Parra prenait l'occasion de mettre trois points de plus, et revenir au score a dix partout.

Jouer sans faute de main est a la clé en de telles conditions, et pour la plupart, les arrières français ne tentaient rien de trop complique mais Marty, ayant perce, tentait la passe de trop et le danger disparait pour les canadiens.

Rougerie était le prochain a se montrer, mais Van der Merwe, qui était excellent contre le Tonga, contrait, évitait trois plaquages, et avec un coup de pieds plus judicieux aurait pu créer des problèmes. 

Ca ressemblait de plus en plus un match jouer sans ballon mais avec savonnette (l'aversion des français au savon étant connue, est-ce que ceci pourrait aider le Canada?). Un longue dégagement de Trinh-Duc arrivait direct dans les bras de Monroe et ensuite Pritchard, qui une fois plaque, n'était pas libéré par les français, et M. Joubert sifflait une pénalité de plus. Pritchard, cette fois-ci, ratait l'occasion de donner l'avantage a ces co-equipiers une fois de plus. 

Poux, qui avait reçu des points de suture après un accident bizarre après le pied d'un canadien plaque, saignait encore, mais une fois la mêlée jouait, Fairhurst le demi de mêlée canadien trouvait une touche magnifique dans les 5 mètres francais. Servat lançait loin, et de justesse, permettait a Trinh-Duc de trouver une touche aux 22. 

Les conditions continuaient de dominer, avec des fautes de mains françaises (7) étant beaucoup trop, Pour leur part, les canadiens n'en avaient fait aucun, ce qui leur permettait de jouer dans le camp francais. Avec 5 minutes a jouer dans un premier mi-temps serre, encore une pénalité de Parra, suite a une faute par terre, donnait l'avantage aux Francais, et une minute plus tard, pour la même faute, mais un peu plus excentré, Parra doublait cet avantage. Le problème des canadiens, c'était leur discipline, et avec un Parra qui butait mieux que tout le monde qu'on avait vu jusque-la, la punition était severe. Une fois de plus, hors-jeu sous les poteaux, Parra disait merci, ajoutait les trois points, et un match complique pour les français a 5 minutes de la mi-temps, devenait beaucoup plus facile.

Mi-temps France 19 Canada 10

Le Canada commençait la deuxième mi-temps mieux que la France, et deux percées de gabarits différents, McKenzie et Cudmore, provoquaient la faute chez les avants français, et Pritchard aurait du marquer les 11eme, 12eme et 13eme points de son équipe, mais il ratait de loin. Le soulagement cote français était de courte durée, et Monro tentait le drop des 10 mètres, et ramenait le score a 19-13. 

Le problème des Canadiens restait toujours les pénalités, et une 5eme sous les poteaux redonnait a la France l'avantage de 9 points. Mais pas pour longtemps, car a la base du maul, Monro tentait un drop opportune, qui une fois de plus passait et grignotait une fois de plus 3 points. Les pénalités se suivaient et se ressemblaient, et après une obstruction flagrante de Van der Merwe, Parra ratait pour la première fois. Encore une pénalité après un léger contact entre Pritchard et Clerc, Clerc faisait un saut en hauteur pour passer le panneau de publicite. Une fois de plus, pénalité pour la France, et Cesar pour le Meilleur Espoir Masculin pour Clerc.

La France jouait beaucoup plus avec les avants que dans la première mi-temp, et suite a plusieurs percées des piliers, Trinh-Duc passait son drop et le score passait a 25-16. Chaque fois que les français s'envolaient a neuf points, ils donnaient l'occasion aux Canadiens de revenir a six. Cette fois, une pénalité pour hors-jeu, et Pritchard réussissait enfin.  

Le prochain essai allait être décisif, et malgré les efforts continus des canadiens, c'était Traille qui réussissait l'exploit et passait sous les poteaux canadiens pour un essai transformé de nouveau par Parra. 32-19 pour la France, et fin du match normalement. 

Normalement les remplacements perturbent le rythme d'un match, mais aujourd'hui, vu qu'il n'y avait pas de rythme, ce n'était pas le cas. Il y avait toujours le temps pour Clerc de marquer son deuxième essai de la soirée et pour Parra de transformer de la touche, et après la récupération du coup d'envoi, et plusieurs attaques, son troisieme. Parra ajoutait la transformation, et la France gagnait finalement avec le point de bonus, Parra ayant marque 23 points a lui seul.

Score Finale: France 46 Canada 19

La France, un peu comme l'Angleterre, a eu du mal a battre une équipe Canadienne qui a fait le maximum afin de créer l'exploit. Malheureusement pour eux, il y avait trop de pénalités, trop de fatigue et pas assez de profondeur dans l'équipe, ce qui voulait dire que la France pouvait s'éloignait dans les derniers moments. La France passe au choc de la Pool A le weekend prochain contre la Nouvelle Zélande... il faudra mieux faire pour répéter la victoire de 2007.

Conditions in Napier were dismal for the final game of the round, which would see France and Canada become the last two teams to play their second games in Pool A. It had been raining cats and dogs for the two hours leading up to kick off, and the whistle had no effect on said rain (why would it?) France started as if it was bone dry and they were the Fijian 7s side, swinging it left and right, before coming a cropper and conceding a penalty which Pritchard slotted. He would need to kick everything for Canada to have a chance you would think. 

Realism took over as Trinh-Duc hoisted a high ball which Pritchard made a mess of, only for it to bounce straight into the arms of Clerc, who scored the easiest of tries. Parra converted before the Canadians borrowed the play from the French book, and Monro hoisted his own kick (a much better one than Trinh-Duc's as it happens) and under pressure from Van der Merwe, Traille failed to deal with it and Smith scored. You would have thought that post 2007 semi final, France would have ended the Traille at 15 experiment... clearly not.

The game often resembled one being played with a bar of soap. Given the frequently suggested avoidance of soap by the French, you would think the Canadians may benefit, but it was a real struggle for both sides.

Both sides had their achilles heels in this first half. France's was handling, as error after error caused them to break down in good positions, meaning fluency was hard to find. Canada hadn't made a single error, but penalties conceded were their problem. Parra slotted 4 more before half-time, the last three in 5 or so minutes leading up to the break, and France led at the break rather than entering the changing rooms all square, as had looked like being the case. Half Time France 19 Canada 10

The second half saw the continued lack of rhythm, and neither side able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. 2 drops and a penalty for Canada, and 2 Parra penalties, saw the score advance, inch by inch, to 25-19 as Canada refused to yield, but as the game went on the next try was always going to be crucial, and in a rare display of attacking quality, Traille cut inside to go over under the post and stretch the game beyond the Canadians, with the conversion of Parra making it 32-19. 

The game meandered now, but France still had the time to set Clerc free for his second try (Parra converted from the right) and after several phases, Clerc was on hand again to complete a hat-trick, Parra again adding the extras for a personal total of 23 points.

Full Time: France 46 Canada 19

France, like England, struggled to begin with against dogged opposition, but ultimately made the most of their class to run out bonus point winners. Canada, despite all their efforts, conceded too many penalties, had too little in the legs and not enough depth in the squad to seriously threaten the upset. Frnace move on now to the All Blacks next week, and know that, despite the praise heaped on them from the TV studios, they will need to improve somewhat to threaten a repeat of 2007's Quarter Final victory.

I'll be back with my half-time thoughts on the different pools later.

RWC Day 10: Stodgy England See Off Improving Georgians

England vs Georgia

England's second game, against Georgia, was to take place in the Dunedin greenhouse again. Yes the Georgian pack is big, yes they were likely to cause problems, but the biggest concern for me was the referee.

I must not get distracted by Jonathan Kaplan

I must not get distracted by Jonathan Kaplan

I must not get distracted by Jonathan Kaplan

8 years ago, England ran up numbers that would have made even a UBS Warburg broker think twice, but that was never going to be the case tonight as Georgia's mainly France based side are pushing for inclusion in an extended 7 Nations Championship (Tblisi in February anyone??)

A missed Georgian touch early on saw Foden, Flood and Tuilagi charge, but a knock on saw Georgia push England back in the 22, where a quick line-out saw England regain midfield through the sprightly 38 year old Shaw. Hape picked up having spotted a mismatch and ghosted through a gap as big as the Greek National debt to settle any English nerves. Flood converted. Shaw was evident early on, running like a centre, then embarrassingly having the ball ripped from his massive grasp by a centre. Georgia responded with energy, but knocked on and pressure was relieved. The scrum was ragged and Georgia almost squeezed in the corner, but England survived a close TMO decision as the Georgian winger put a foot in touch. 

Kaplan penalised England for an unlikely offside next and Kvirikashvili should have pulled 3 points back for the Georgians, but butchered his effort. Georgia had started well with the ball and were making England make tackles and concede penalties (so what's new?). Kvirikashvili is clearly Georgian for Wilkinson though, and another attempt drifted wide. Kaplan seemed addicted to giving penalties against England, some justly so, others ridiculously imagined. 

England couldn't get their hands on the ball, as Georgia controlled the game, but they suffered at the whistle of the referee too, as moving forward with the ball on the floor, England got the put-in. A comedy of early errors from the South African. When England did get the ball, the backs looked dangerous, but Kvirikashvili (wish he was called Smith) pushed them back into their own 22 and Youngs had to clear. 

England attacked from deep, with Tuilagi, Foden and Armitage looking dangerous. Ashton finally got involved, and Flood distributed well. Second time in the Georgian half, second Hape try, second successful Flood kick. 14-0. An undeserved margin maybe, but England were highly efficient both in attack and defence, if somewhat erratic at the breakdown.

A quick tap by Youngs led to an immediate penalty for obstruction under the posts against an English side that were trying their hardest to crate, but the Georgian 10 was having such an off day (he said politely) and another 3 went begging from between the posts. Tuilagi was penalised for a spear tackle when all he did was grab a leg, as the Kaplan show continued. Kvirikashvili, who had struck the ball like a bag of wet sand so far, finally managed to score and Georgia were on the board belatedly. 

While England looked dangerous in the back three, it was still a slightly disjointed effort, much of this due to the aggressive intent of the Georgians. That said, England had scored 2 tries and Flood slotted a penalty after the Georgian scrum half allegedly went offside at the scrum to restore England's 14 point advantage. Though on the stroke of half-time, another infringement on the England line by the brainless Hartley both gave the Georgians a chance for three points and a man advantage for 10 minutes. Georgia opted for the scrum, and Wood was replaced by Thompson somewhat bizarrely when England were defending a 5 metre scrum. From said scrum, the number 8 Basilaia picked up and powered over to put a deserved Georgian try on the board. Half Time: England 17 Georgia 10 

England had been poor in general. The old problem of discipline resurfaced. 8 of the 11 penalties they conceded were blatant, and while 3 of them were hamfisted attempts at refereeing, 8 is still way too high. Martin Johnson had work to do at half-time. With this discipline and this performance England will not go on to win the tournament, and something needed to happen in the second half to brighten the England fans' day. 

They started much brighter in the second half, Hape and Shaw to the fore again as they were in the first 40 minutes, and in a mirror image of the early action , Armitage saw a try chalked off in the same corner when his foot crossed the touch line at virtually the same point the Georgian foot had when their try had been disallowed. 14 man England looked much brighter though, and it was Georgian indiscipline that littered the early minutes. Haskell woke up and burst through and Georgia yet again conceded a penalty. England had not conceded a penalty for 6 minutes; almost cause for a celebration in itself. Flood kicked to touch, ball was won and while advantage was being played, Armitage was sent over for the third try, wide enough to make the kick difficult, and Flood failed for the first time.

Stevens failed to bind at the next scrum, and another Georgian penalty missed by a country mile. England had certainly benefited from the poor kicking of opponents thus far, both against Argentina and here. England were next to break and Shaw again made the yards, before an optimistic (make that terrible) pass from Youngs provoked another knock-on. Every time they looked like stuttering into life though, they conceded another penalty, and again, from under the posts, Kvirikashvili missed a sitter. Had he had his boots with him, this would have been a vastly different game. The England scrum was creaking as much as the Scottish scrum had during the week and another free kick gave momentum to Georgia, though the game had entered a lull and neither side could gain a foothold with ball in hand and England calmly defended and the danger dissolved.

At last though, from a line-out, quick ball off the top reached Flood, whose quick pass to Tuilagi saw a gap open up and his third try in 4 Tests. Flood converted and daylight finally appeared on the scoreboard as England wrapped up a bonus point. Changes were made now and England occasionally looked like a half decent side. Foden broke, Ashton threw a wild pass, Flood fed Wood who broke though and slipped to Ashton, who finally got to do the swallow dive as he ran over to stretch the advantage to 26 points, when Flood added the conversion that is.

It was at this point that it struck me that England didn't appear to have a game plan. There had been no trying to play the game in Georgian territory, there had been little attempt to suck in defenders and create space on 3rd and 4th phase, it was a little harem-scarem and every man for himself. After a long delay while Todua was treated and ultimately removed (he didn't seem to know what day it was, who he was and where he was after getting his head in the wrong place in a tackle). Simpson came on to make a Test debut for England, and Banahan brought on his dreadful tattoos. 

Credit where it's due, Kaplan had had a much better second half. The game meandered to its end though, with England looking more secure at the breakdown, and better in the scrum, yet still looking to make the impossible pass or offload from the tackle on every possible occasion. Still, there were occasional green shoots, with Croft looking positive after coming on, Armitage looking dangerous and Simpson showing more than Wigglesworth had in the first game. Indeed at the final whistle, the English scrum which had become dominant since Gorgodze had been moved to become the biggest wing in international history, pressured enough for Haskell to feed Simpson, who fed Foden, who passed off the floor for Ashton to round things off with his second try and England's 6th. Flood couldn't convert, but England rounded off the game with a patchy if never really too stressful victory.

Full Time England 41 Georgia 10

So England top the Pool courtesy of the bonus point win, and another bonus point win against Romania next week will guarantee their qualification from the Pool. A more adventurous performance, against a side who are progressing quicker than any Nation in World rugby should not hide the cracks though: indiscipline, a front row that doesn't convince, a back row that can't compete with the best on current form. England will still come out and beat a reasonable side comfortably in this World Cup, when everything gels, but they are far from potential world beaters on this form.

Georgia can be proud of their first hour. 4 days after a gruelling encounter with the Scots they offered a lot, particularly up front, and they will have won plenty of friends. They tired later on though, and didn't really offer much outside of scrum half, an area they need to improve on to make the next step.

So after Wales breathed a sigh of relief, it was England's turn. Neither side convinced really, but given how unconvincing Australia were when they lost yesterday, no doubt the oft-repeated mantra of recent England press conferences "A win's a win" will get another run-out.

RWC Day 10: Wales Wobble But Survive Samoa

Wales vs Samoa
Day 10 saw Hamilton host one of the World Cup's most evocative fixtures as Wales met the team who had embarrassed them in the past. The shockwaves caused by yesterday's epic Irish victory over Australia were still being felt. Samoa missed Pisi at fly half but Wales were at full strength, and the Samoans started badly as a kick-off straight into touch followed by a penalty conceded at the half-way scrum saw Warburton call on Hook to kick for the posts.; he just missed (no need for recourse to the TMO on this one). Samoa almost broke the deadlock as Stowers drove for the line after Wales lost a scrum against the head, but turnover ball saw Shane Williams clear to his namesake Paul, who looked as hesitant as anything and almost made a right mess on his own 22, only to be let off the hook by a Welsh knock on. 

Lydiate was replaced by Powell, who eschewed his favoured mode of transport (the golf cart) to enter the field running, on 10 minutes, a blow for Wales as the back row had performed so well against South Africa, but in Powell, on his day, they have a top class replacement. Almost immediately a penalty, conceded for a high tackle, saw Hook give Wales the lead 3-0 from an unmissable position.

Wales looked confident with ball in hand, and only a forward pass stopped Jamie Roberts going over. If Wales looked good with ball in hand though, Samoa looked likely to cause turnovers as they competed at every ruck and maul with great awareness. So it was that the sides continued to neutralise each other as the half approached its midpoint, when a midfield obstruction, followed by a quick tap from Samoa which resulted in another 10 metres conceded by the Welsh, saw Williams line up and succeed with an equalising kick. 

More good Welsh handling saw Priestland take the drop goal option next, and while his attempt was closer than the last minute one against South Africa, it was still wide meaning Samoa stayed on terms, but not for long, as yet another scrum penalty (Samoa were looking like Australia yesterday in this respect) saw another unmissable position for Hook, who made no mistake and saw Wales edge out to a 6-3 lead. Faasavalu was at the centre of much of the good Samoan forward work, and they picked at the base and kept the ball close as they closed on the Welsh line, only  for the aforementioned Faasavalu to cross the line in a double movement and concede a penalty as they looked like taking a lead. Wales cleared, but had their line-out win turned over and ultimately Philipps held on and conceded a kickable penalty. Williams, whose surname would obviously seem to denote some Welsh heritage, though his father was an All Black, pulled the kick badly though and Wales maintained the lead.

Samoa hadn't really had the opportunity to use their wing weapons thus far, preferring to, or more accurately having to, keep the ball tight. The longer they stayed close to the Welsh, the more tense you would think the Welsh would become. Errors were starting to creep in on both sides, with breakdown penalties being the order of the day, first one way then the other. A break by Williams, the Samoan one, saw pressure build in the Welsh 22 once more as Samoa battered the Welsh line for the the third time in the half. A score would not have been undeserved, but Welsh defence was strong both around the maul and in midfield, but on about the 12th phase, the ball was worked left and Perenise eventually went over. Williams converted with the last kick of the half. Half-Time Wales 6 Samoa 10

For the second consecutive game in this World Cup, the buzz and expectation of a shock went round the ground as the teams rested for ten minutes. In the UK we were treated to former captain Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas and his take on smart casual, or should that be casual smart? Thomas has looked like he has got dressed in the dark on occasions, and the studio chatter was based around how the Welsh could turn this around, as make no mistake, Samoa were well worth their lead.

The stats were trawled out: Wales have never started a World Cup with 2 defeats; Wales have never lost three World Cup games in a row. Halfpenny entered the fray at half time for Hook, and Samoa conceded a penalty straight away giving the new kicker Priestland a chance to kick for goal, and aided by a bounce of the crossbar, he brought the Welsh early cheer and closed the gap to a single point. 

It was a different Wales in the early stages, as they played with pace and with heads up, and no doubt with the words of coach Gatland ringing in their ears, though their indiscipline remained from the first half. The added pace of Wales contrasted well with the Samoan power game offering a difference of style that the rugby purist would enjoy. Faasavalu was certainly not being outshone by the more vaunted Warburton and he once more forced the Welsh to go over the top at the breakdown, giving Williams another shot. He is not a kicker who inspires great confidence as he goes through his preparations, being a little hit and miss. This time, it was miss and the score stayed at 10-9.

Samoa churned once more into the Welsh 22, but this time slightly more loosely throwing the ball wide, and a turnover allowed Priestland to send a raking kick long into the Samoan half, and almost saw Davies take maximum advantage, only for the ball to roll into touch. A real arm-wrestle was developing as neither side was giving an inch. Halfpenny certainly gave Wales pace and direction, but he and Roberts were the only sparks and Gatland made more changes in the hope of gaining an edge. It was nice to see Gethin Jenkins back on the field after years of injury difficulties. 

Samoa were struggling to gain the impetus they had in the first half and indeed conceded a penalty on the edge of their own 22, which Priestland successfully converted to make the score 12-10. Having regained the lead, Halfpenny broke yet again, fed Davies and try as he might to mess it up his "pass" bounced fortunately into the hands of Shane Williams and he went over in the corner. Priestland couldn't convert though which meant Samoa stayed within a converted try at 17-10.

Davies kicked directly to touch from the restart, meaning a Samoan line-out in a very dangerous position. Samoa seemed to be tiring though and a poor throw was snaffled by Charteris. Wales seemed content to play the territory game now, and Priestland and even Roberts used kicks to push Samoa back. Samoa refused to budge though, and Welsh indiscipline resurfaced, with 2 quick penalties seeing Samoa put the ball in the corner for a 5m line-out. The pick and go tactics had worked once and failed twice in the first half, and on this 4th occasion it failed as Wales turned it over crucially. They still had to survive a huge scrum 5 metres out. Down it went, and Rolland looked to me as if he was ready to penalise Wales, but he settled for a reset and eventually gave a free-kick to Wales as Samoa pushed early (early push or delayed put in, 6 of one, half a dozen of the other). 

Samoa had 2 minutes to score a converted try to draw the game and try as they might, they were penalised for not releasing, allowing Priestland to find touch deep  in the Samoan half, and extinguishing any hope they had of salvaging more than the losing bonus point they had . 

Full Time Wales 17 Samoa 10

Credit where it's due and Gatland made a big change at half time, replacing Hook with Halfpenny; OK it was enforced, but he could have used Scott Williams instead. But Halfpenny it was who added pace and penetration in the second half and effectively turned the game. Wales won the 2nd half 11-0, and while Samoa tired, they really missed Tusi Pisi, whose composure and kicking was never really replaced, Williams missing points and the replacement fly half being so anonymous that I can't recall seeing him do anything of note in 80 minutes. 

You couldn't begrudge the Welsh a victory in a tight game after their loss against the World Champions in the opening game of the Pool, and with Fiji being derailed in their game against South Africa, you would think this puts Wales in pole position for 2nd place in the Pool, despite being behind Samoa, as while both sides play Fiji, Wales face Namibia and Samoa play South Africa in the other game. This means a probable (how can you say that word at the moment given yesterday's result?) Celtic Quarter Final against the Irish, and maybe even a semi final against England or France, while Samoa's second half blank probably means they will be heading the short distance home after the group stages.