Wales and France go through - RWC 2011 quarter finals

Ireland 10 - Wales 22
Ooh la la! This was rugby at it's most exciting. Wales have announced themselves on the world stage with an impassioned win against Ireland.  I have to eat all my words for my first two quarter final predictions. I really thought Ireland were going to win this game, but their backs had no answer to a striking Welsh rush defence and an excellent forward effort. How wonderful for Wales, a true rugby nation that endeavours to play exciting ball in hand rugger.  They must be drunk in the valleys tonight. No wonder Warren Gatland couldn't wipe the smile off his face.  He has done wonders with this Welsh team. They always had the players, but now they have the confidence, the fitness levels and the belief as well. They could really go all the way. I almost could handle Wales winning this thing (almost, but not quite).

England 12-19 France
Meanwhile on the other side of the drawer England put up a spirited second half attack to try and claw their way back from a 16 - 0 deficit after France's flying start in the first half. Which French team turned up to play? The one that continually surprises on the world cup stage, and that's why we love France so much. Somebody said on twitter that when England loses, it is good for rugby. I don't want to be too mean to England because they've had a hard time of it in this tournament and I genuinely felt for Lewis Moody who gave a very gracious post match speech. However, if England had progressed to the final stages of this world cup, it would have been a travesty. They have not brought anything to the game in the last eight years and they did not deserve to be in the top four.  They are soaking in wealth and get to call the shots with timetables and their powerful money hungry clubs.  But they just haven't added anything to the international stage for quite some time. It's official, winning ugly is finally out of fashion. So justice has prevailed. It was still a cracking match though, nailbiting until the end.

As Slugso said - the north have zipped up the once gaping hole in skills between the south.  This world cup is turning into a true classic. Shades of 1987 are beginning to shine through the clouds.....

RWC 2011 - a week in quotes

Wales 19 - England 9

Millennium Stadium
13 August 2011

Three weeks to go before the RWC 2011 and Martin Johnson has some serious questions to ponder. No doubt a great player, his coaching nous is not looking to match those playing days.  He is a shadow of the tactician when compared to the likes of Father Ted or Robbie Deans.

Although their forwards contributed a solid platform winning from most set piece ball, England were absolutely clueless on attack (as per usual).  Dominating territory and possession by up to 70% in the first half, they had absolutely no answers when it came to crossing the try line.  Why can't English backs score tries? 

This is not to discredit Wales who gave an  incredible defensive display, particularly in the first half.  They pushed England behind the gain line again and again. And then, when it counted, they trusted themselves to grasp the opportunity and score a try (hat tip James Hook), which was the decisive moment in the game.

Three weeks out and Warren Gatland will be feeling a little more pleased with his progress. Martin Johnson, not so. In his post match interview the England coach angled towards blaming a ref that by all accounts, kept England in the game by sending off two Welsh players.  I think MJ has to face the facts and start looking at other ways to win rugby, rather than out-hulking the other team.

It's all very well to say they were missing Chris Ashton (who I rate as a very good winger) and Tuialagi (who I don't rate just yet, one test match does not a rugby legend at the age of 20 make). 

So back to the drawing boards/laptops for England once again.  For Wales, a night of well deserved celebration.

Here's what Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times had to say.

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Wales 19 England 9: Wasteful England picked off

Wales earned a thoroughly deserved victory at the Millennium stadium as England's indecision in midfield cost them dear

Stephen JonesPublished: 14 August 2011

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Welsh No 8 Toby Faletau leaps into action as Mike Tindall motors forward (Glyn Kirk)

After two weeks of serious battling, it is Wales who now look the more convincing team as the World Cup approaches.
This was a victory that they thoroughly deserved, and it was gained with a team that will be augmented by at least five players of true world class who were absent yesterday.
Surely, the whole thing will be orchestrated by the marvellous James Hook from fly-half. When Hook moved to that position from the wilderness of fullback yesterday, the comparisons with the England playmakers were brutal.
The myth grew around the England camp, and among some supporters in Cardiff last night, that they were decidedly unlucky. The basis of this myth was laid by nearly an hour of England dominance, in which their forwards had authority in terms of possession and territory. It was a period of pressure that involved six consecutive scrums on the Wales line and it shut out the hosts completely.
For any English supporter or team official clinging to this myth, reality will be like a bath in ice. England were meaty, but meat heads. For all their authority, they had nothing remotely resembling an attack, their midfield was diabolically bad, and their composure, skill and pace when taking chances simply did not exist.
It must have been galling for the likes of Louis Deacon and Hendre Fourie to turn back so much ball only to see it frittered away.
Toby Flood and the England midfield trod in a bog of indecision, lack of skill and tortuous bundling.
Take just two blown chances. Danny Care made a brilliant break to set England onto the front foot and when the ball came back to Flood, with all of England screaming for the ball out wide, he lamely turned it back inside. You sensed that if England had 14 men overlapping down the right, Flood would have passed the ball back inside to the ref. Hape, who was embarrassingly bad in all phases of play, butchered another strong position with a fumbling turnover.
It is difficult to know how many reality checks this England need to grasp that they have it so wrong. Please watch a replay of the game and tell me that England have a midfield. Tell me that they have leaders — when Wales came steaming back in the final quarter, showing an attacking intent completely beyond England, the visiting team collapsed totally as Hook conjured a victory out of thin air.
Watch the replay and tell me that England do not need an elite performance director to make sense of the shambles that the international team and its back-up procedures has become. They now go to Dublin in a fortnight to play a powerful Ireland team with around eight of their first-choice selections in serious doubt.
Wales were not lucky to win — they deserved to because they were the better team. Furthermore, their coaches must take plaudits, for it seems that their rigorous fitness programmes have delivered a team with more endurance than England. Dan Lydiate on the blindside and Jamie Roberts in midfield led a magnificent Welsh line, which England could never penetrate.

No, Wales were lucky because they did not pick a team to win the game. They were hammered in the scrum and their three mighty front-rowers, Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard and Adam Jones, are now apparently sharing a stable with Shergar, so infrequently are they spotted these days. When those three return — if they can ever be found — and when Ryan Jones comes back into the side, then Hook will be given something that he can really orchestrate.
For some reason, there was little panic amongst the 73,000 in the Millennium stadium even when England were on top. It was not as if the England driving maul was particularly terrifying and England made too many mistakes to maintain the pressure on the Welsh line. But at least they were in authority, and they led by 6-3, and then again by 9-6, well into the second half. Their lineout was superior, Fourie was a devil on the loose ball. If their attack did not exist and their kicking game lacked penetration, then it seemed that sheer force of habit of encamping on the Welsh line would see them home.
But as the final quarter approached, Wales had Hook at fly-half and they had managed to negotiate a sticky 10 minutes when Roberts was in the sinbin. Flood had been playing on the front foot all day, but suddenly, with Lydiate and the promising Tony Faletau now turning the tables, Wales looked far more dangerous.
Just before the hour, they launched a biting series of attacks, with young George North making ground with the best of them and Hook asking questions of England. Eventually, Hook beautifully dummied his way over at the posts.
His conversion made it 13-9 and the sudden slump to English shoulders was noticeable.
Wales gave England sustenance with some silly handling errors, but Hook then nailed two monster penalties to make the closing stages a procession — a telling contribution since Phillips was in the sinbin for the last 10 minutes.
On the day, England won the battle of the joke kit — they had forsaken their silly black jerseys of last week but this time wore jersey numbers which were indistinguishable.
But in the end, it was the team inappropriately dressed in black that came home strongest.
Star man: Dan Lydiate (Wales)
Scorers: Wales: Tries: Hook 57 Con: Hook Pens: Priestland (2), Hook (2)
England: Pens: Flood (3)
Yellow cards: Wales: Roberts 40, Phillips 70
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland)
Attendance: 72,898
Wales: J Hook; G North, J Roberts, G Henson (S Williams, Scarlets, 31min) , SM Williams, R Priestland (A Brew, Dragons, 40min), M Phillips; P James (R Bevington, Ospreys, 69min), L Burns (H Bennett, Ospreys, 52min), C Mitchell (P James, 77min), L Charteris, AW Jones (J Turnbull, Scarlets, 60min) D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau
England: B Foden; M Banahan (M Tindall, 69min), M Tindall (capt, D Armitage, L Irish, 59min), S Hape, M Cueto; T Flood (C Hodgson, Sale, 69min), R Wigglesworth (D Care, Harlequins, 30min); A Corbisiero (M Stevens, Saracens, 59min), S Thompson (L Mears Bath, 59min), D Cole, L Deacon (T Palmer, Stade Français, 67min) C Lawes, T Wood, H Fourie (J Haskell, Black Rams, 50min), N Easter.
Read on for Stephen Jones' player ratings from the Millennium stadium

England V Ireland - Six Nations 2011

An amazing performance by Ireland - if they could play like that in October, the World Cup could well be theirs...

Poor old England rugby team. I actually felt a bit sorry for them in the end. Poor old Nick Easter was so dejected in his after match captain's interview. Losing to Ireland in a rather incompetent way effectively shredded their hopes of winning any slam. But still, they won the Six Nations and I think they can hold their heads high. They're building, and they really did play some promising and entertaining rugby in this wonderful tournament.

For the ruggerblogger round up of the Six Nations, watch this space in the next couple of days. If you want to know what the esteemed Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times thought of the match - you can read here , subscription free (just don't tell Rupert, ok)?

The Six Nations decider 2011 - England verse Ireland

Mark Cueto is a rare breed -  a winger that doesn't score tries.

Well, it's been great to be back in the Northern Hemisphere, to soak up the wonderful atmosphere that is the Six Nations. 

As an All Black fan trying to gauge what this will all mean for the World Cup, a few interesting things.  England's resurgence after years of dross is exciting for the game. As much as it pains me, I think England, whether they win the Slam and the Six Nations or not this year, have to now be considered as genuine Rugby World Cup 2011 contenders.

The main reasons: they've always had good forwards, but now that they've finally found some men out wide that can chance their arm means a whole new dimension has finally been added to their play (it's only taken about a decade to catch-up).   Chris Ashton brings a frisson when he gets his hands on the ball. And I love their halfback - Youngs. He's dynamic and has a great pass.  At such a young age, he has the world in front of him.

In the forwards, well England have always boasted a strong front row and their locks don't look too shabby either. I think the key areas where they will probably be found a little bit wanting are still in the loose forwards. Scotland had it over them in this department of the game last week, and I don't know whether Martin Johnson's loosies will ever pose a serious threat to the Southern Hemisphere flankers.

England's main weapon however, remains the same as it was in 2003 and 2007. Jonny Wilkinson. He knows how to play tournament rugby, and we all know that he is the best in the world to push a drop goal over when the pressure is piling up. He also is the calm in the storm, he can make decisions under pressure and his team will trust him if the chips are down to know what to do.

For me, the jury is still out on Toby Flood. Sure, he looked good against Italy and found a few gaps. But to be realistic, Italy were shocking the day England played them and I don't think that was down to England's brilliance. Still, with Wilkinson on the bench, maybe Johnson can afford to have Flood out on the field - for although he is not that great, he isn't dreadful either.

Other weak links for England? Definitely Mike Tindall and Shontanye Hape - they lack penetration and just seem a wee bit ploddy out there. It will be interesting to see what Matt Banahan does against the Irish tomorrow. He seems to inject real impact when he is on the field. If I was Johnson, I would have been starting him for every test.

My personal favourite in the England team is Steve Thompson.  When the All Blacks play England, I always hope Steve Thompson isn't on the field.  I think that might be the ultimate compliment for him.

So, England tomorrow against Ireland. I personally of course want Ireland to beat them.  Why? Because I'm a terrible, fickle person, and also because the English media is unbearable about their rugby team when they're winning.

I think the game could be very close. It is being played on Irish soil, and England haven't had to travel to hostile territory in this tournament much (excepting the Welsh game). In fact, is it just me, or does England in general try not to tour very much (it was a few years ago they played the All Blacks in NZ). 

Ireland have a chance. They have Brian O'Driscoll, they have Paul O'Connell. They have a strong back row and backs that can run and break the line.  Where Ireland will struggle is in the scrum.  But if they can get parity there, and if they can maintain their puff through to the 80 minute mark, then this will be a very close game indeed. But too close to call I think. Come on Ireland!

Additional notes:

1. Is it just me or is the England captaincy becoming a bit of a poisened chalice? First for Moody and then Tindall? Will they get their places back in the team let alone the captaincy when world cup time rolls around?
2. I think England will have a good chance of reaching a world cup final, as long as they don't meet New Zealand beforehand. If they do, it will be curtains for them. Let's not forget, for all that English rugby supporters drone on and on about the All Blacks 'choking' at world cups, the English rugby team has never beaten the All Blacks during a World Cup tournament.

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2011 Six Nations - England V France

MJ - happier than usual

So, England have sent out a warning to the rest of the world. Just in time for a world cup tournament too. Bugger.

I was a busy woman this weekend so I had to prioritise what rugby I was going to watch. The first cull was the Scotland V Ireland test (Scotland were so abysmal when they played Wales two weeks ago I just could stomach wasting another 80 minutes of my life watching them). Ditto Italy V Wales. This just left the ‘mouth watering’ test of France and England to behold (if I had a grain of sand for every time a commentator/journalist/blogger said the words ‘mouth watering’ regarding this match, I’d have my own private beach by now).

As much as I hate to say it, England has become a shining light in this six nations. In a game ridden with handling errors on Saturday, they deserved to be the victors against an unimaginative France. Le Roast beefs were beefy. Their forwards were committed and the English backs looked more dynamic than les Bleus (although excuse me for a minute as I fall off my chair. I can’t quite believe I have typed ‘england backs’ and ‘dynamic’ in the same sentence). Also, big kudos to the English defence as the French just didn’t look at all close to scoring a try. (Based on this French team's performance, I don’t think the All Blacks have much to worry about concerning their Achilles heel team of world cup tournaments past).

This was a different test match for England after the glories of Italy meaning they had to win ugly. Toby Flood did not have the chance to shine as brightly as he had done against some school boy Italian defence. And as predicted, Chris Ashton’s swan diving came back to bite him on the bum. I did have a schadenfraude like chuckle when his try was disallowed after Flood’s forward pass. But I hope the new star doesn’t stop the showboating. It gives the rest of us something to moan about with this English team and for all the arrogance, I think he injects a bit of personality in rugby’s often muted emotional environment. A note on France. Thierry Dusautoir was awesome. Chabal not so much - his rugby skills no longer appear to match his looks and legend.

A slight warning sign for both teams. If their passes can’t stick on a drizzly London afternoon, how are they going to cope with the creeping dew nine o’clock at night during the New Zealand spring?

Favourite quote of the game was when Andrew Sheridan came off: ‘His legs just can’t support his upper body’ muttered one commentator. Oh dear. Poor Andrew, what an unfortunate predicament.

Christchurch
The minute silence at Twickenham on Saturday was a very beautiful and respectful moment paid from the rugby supporters in England to the people of Christchurch. As New Zealand continues to come to terms with a rising death toll and the fact that our safe and idyllic country has been shattered, these marks of respect and support from people across the world are a small consolation.

And thank god for Martin Snedden shutting up some rather insensitive people who started rumours online that the RWC should/would be moved to Australia. Christchurch hadn’t stopped shaking and rumours were swirling that it was the end of the Rugby World Cup 2011 for NZ. As Snedds said  – it is a time to mourn our people. Rugby takes a back seat as we get on with rebuilding.

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Six nations round up - week 2 - 2011

If you want a write up from a kiwi point of view about England V France for the Six Nations 2011 - you absolutely must click here

For England's glory moment against Italy...keep reading.

Six things we've learnt after another great weekend of Six Nations rugby.

1. England are looking good. In fact, yesterday they played some of the best rugby I've ever seen an England team play.  Admittedly, it was against a quite abysmal Italian side.  But - was this because England made them look abject?  It's a bit of a chicken and egg conundrum. Only time will tell.

2. France struggle to another win. I didn't see this game but it sounded like the Irish gave the French a good run for their money. I expected this after watching the Irish play the All Blacks in November, who gave the NZers the hardest game of the series.  I was surprised Ireland nearly lost to Italy last weekend. No more so after seeing the way Italy played against England yesterday.

3. Scotland is a confusing team. One minute they are beating the Springboks who in turn, crushed England at Twickenham. The next thing, they're struggling to get over the gain line against Wales.  Strange and disappointing. I was hoping for a Scottish resurgence.

4. Chris Ashton is not a half bad winger. Four tries in one game is rather good. He has the Hosea Gear-esque quality of finding himself at the right place at the right time.  Rugby speak of course is that he runs some good lines.  But his showboating, swan diving malarkey may set him up for trouble one of these days soon. Hopefully this won't happen to him...



5. Mark Cueto is not a good winger. 1 try in 19 games?  Seriously? 

6. There are two teams in the race.  England and France but I still think Ireland could potentially upset the apple cart too.  My money though has to be on England.

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The autumn internationals - round up

Chris Rattue loves to complain but moaning that these autumn tests are meaningless and a waste of time surely shows up his true ineptitude when it comes to his knowledge of rugby. For an All Black supporter, it is always a joy to watch New Zealand play the northern hemisphere teams. The crowd atmospheres are always electric, the operatic hyperbole in the British and Irish media is better than front row seats at Covent Garden, and the All Blacks get to play teams that are not South Africa and Australia.

November is my favourite time of the year rugby wise, and the 2010 autumn internationals (as they like to call them up north) did not fail to disappoint again. As this great month closes and the snow threatens to announce a long winter in England, I reconcile myself to the fact that I will have to go back to the grindstone, rather than surreptiously surfing rugby sites at work.  So it's a good a time as any to sum up and take stock of the winners and losers of November.

Favourite moments: SBW's offloads, Dan Carter's goal for the world record number of points and the small smile he allows himself as he makes his way back to the team, Jerome Kaino's crunching tackles, Brian O'Driscoll's one handed scoop to score a try against the ABs (is it just me, or are more players now trying to do the one handed SBW arm than ever before - like Meads in the past - holding a ball with one hand just makes you look a bit sexier), Keiran Reid defying gravity and making the British media rave about an All Black loose forward, Scotland beating South Africa and denying them a grand slam, the minutes silence in the Millennium Stadium for the Pike miners. Oh - and an All Black slam under the greatest coach (IMHO) in All Black history - Graham Henry.



New rules mean new dimensions for the Pacific Islands: Fiji and Samoa showed up the home nations this year but rather than this meaning the home nations are on a downward slide, I think it illustrates that the game's new laws have given teams that play free flowing rugby an edge up (ok, I realise I've just stated the obvious there). I expect all the Pacific Island teams to play well in the World Cup, and some of them to create a few upsets.

England might be a force to be reckoned with come October 2011.  So they were outmuscled by a South African team in disarray. Neither teams really showed an ounce of attacking flair on Saturday but this was a grinder of a test match and it was still highly entertaining to watch.  England are definitely on the up with some new backs that are not afraid to try a few new things.  But they shouldn't give away the skills by which they have always been defined. By all means, try and play attacking rugby. It will please the crowd and draw some respect from the opposition, but scrummaging and stick it up the jumper style is what they're best at. If they can get both things going, they might be in with a shout. Might.

England are still annoying: I respect Martin Johnson. He wears his heart on his sleeve, the big gruff bear that he is. But there are some people in the English team that are just little tantrum throwers. Matt Banaham (the battering ram) showboating before he's touched down for a try.  Yeuch.  Ben Foden throwing his toys out of the cot when a decision doesn't go England's way by throwing the ball down on the ground and stamping his feet like an annoying little three year tot. Not cool and not likeable. Also, one win against Australia and all of a sudden, they're world beaters. They talk a great game but walking it is a different matter.

Coming of age for NZ: Loved SBW for Scotland. Thought Toeava redeemed himself. Kaino and Read are up there with McCaw now. Whitelock and of course, the best of all - Hosea Gear who is the ultimate finisher in the world (bad news for Joe). These guys are no journeymen, they're the real deal, and they made me proud to be an All Black supporter.

World conspiracy against McCaw: Ok. I'm getting sick of this now.  How can McCaw be the biggest cheat yet for the third time be nominated for IRB player of the year. More than that, how does he remain cool on the field when he is consistently being niggled by off the ball cheap shots?  And then as the game ends, the jealous and incompetent really get going by taking pot shots at him in the press. With not much due respect at all to Stephen Ferris (an Irish flanker that will never amount to anything on the rugby field) and all the other rugby playing scribes out there - a word of advice. Maybe you should do your talking on the field rather than in the papers. Then New Zealand might start respecting you.

Australia are the new France: Erratic and then brilliant.  Kurtley Beale a superstar in the making, Drew Mitchell and James O'Conner are up there too. They sliced France apart last night and are looking good for the world cup - if only they get their scrum issues sorted.  A final word about Deans, call me provincial, call me a yokel, but the man is a traitor as evidenced by his backhanded wind up about All Black cheating this week.  How you can actually do this to people that you once coached and were presumably close to in the past, I'm not sure. He's shown his true colours once and for all.

The home nations played some good rugby: They always step up when playing against the All Blacks, I think the New Zealanders bring the best out of them.  It wasn't good enough again, but all the games (bar Scotland) were exciting and nervewracking this year. My favourite was the Irish game. I think both teams played some exceptional rugby.

Peter de Villiers should go: Yes - the Springboks beat England well. But they struggled against Wales and Ireland and did the unthinkable by losing to Scotland (no offence to Scotland who appear to be on the up). Plus, there is the small matter of those players being sent home for drug cheating. I'm surprised there has not been more commotion around this actually. Of course, everyone that isn't South African is very happy to see this loose cannon of a coach stay on board till the World Cup, but two players testing positive for banned drugs? I don't think the omens are good for the Bokke with this motor mouth at the helm.

So many things and I'll think about 100 more before the night it through, but it's time for me to sign off for the year. I'll see you in Feb for the super 15 and the build up to the tournament that I dare not believe we will win because judging by past heartbreaks, why would I now?

Zero to hero

NZ 26 - England 16
Toeava makes up for Hong Kong sins

A composed debut from a league superstar who happens to like the odd boxing match. A crap game by an aging wing who singlehandedly let the English back into a game which should have been in the can at half time. A good turn out from an England team wanting to add some more strings to their bow. A heroic save and a few scintillating runs from a man that last week was enemy number two with the New Zealand public. Oh, and a bunch of English rugby supporters reaching for the superlatives after their team lost to the All Blacks by 10 points.
But go figure!

For the All Blacks, the opening minutes of this match had all the signals of a walk over where a Hosea Gear try off the back of an inspired Dan Carter move and Sonny Bill Williams offload had New Zealand rugby supporters high fiving. Moments later, it looked like a walkover would ensue when Kieran Reid powerfully surged over the English line, leaving the puffed up white roses scratching their heads in the wake of the fighting test buildup talk they couldn't stop doing in the papers this week.

Like Hong Kong, The All Blacks looked smooth and ready to click into a white moment, playing some irresistable rugby. And maybe they would have if it hadn't been for Joe Rokocoko. Of course, the poor guy can't singlehandedly take the blame for letting the English back into the game, but he gave them a rather good helping hand with a series of stupid mistakes before halftime. Was that Joe's swansong I wonder?

New Zealand also weren't helped by some poor decision making from some of their allegedly more astute backs. It always pains me when they decide to run the ball from their own try line, and little chip kicks to the opposition when you're in your own 22?  You've got to be having a laugh - right Muliaina?

The English, to pay them their dues, did come out with the intent to play positive rugby.  And as the mistakes began to mount for the men in in black, the partisan crowd at Twickenham sniffed an upset.  Even down to 14 men however, the rattled New Zealanders managed to hang on.

Highlights?  Toeava's cameo - he more than attoned for his mistakes of Hong Kong, and the try saving tackle on Shontanye Hape was what the doctor ordered, if not completely bound. Sonny Bill was rather good too I thought. Am I buying into all the hype? Probably. But he has definitely added a sense of extra possibility to the backline.  Dan was back to his slick best and Richie, quite naturally, was in the thick of it. Even telling tales to the ref on Dylan Heartley. 

The English had some exciting new caps on the field that will grow in time and they played the scrums well with the ref - so of course they can take a lot of positives from the game.  But I'd hardly call them a world threat yet. For a start, playing at Twickenham is a little bit different to playing in Christchurch.  And it is now nine years since they've turned the All Blacks over. Time ticks on then.

Oh, and all the tries were scored by New Zealanders...but now I"m just wumming right?

All Blacks and Wales and the All Whites 2010

All Blacks V Wales at the Brook and still we grumble

It seems like a century ago that the All Blacks comfortably beat Wales for the last test match in Carisbrook. I only saw the second half of this match but switching on the TV at half time I thought it was the All Blacks who were losing - judging the glum way commentators were moaning on. In fact it was NZ who were leading at half time which had me thinking – what do these poor blighters have to do to get a smile out of rugby followers in this country?

Inevitably, the All Blacks answered their critics in the second spell. The Welsh as fiery as they were in the first half, did the usual northern hemisphere tactic of running out of steam as the minutes progressed in the second. The All Blacks then turned on a vintage display and with Dan Carter showing glimpses of his Rolls Royce 2005 form, this was a second half to savour. For a full match report I couldn’t go past green and gold rugby - made extra sweet as it is an Australian pen waxing lyrical.

England V Australia and England V NZ Maori

Unfortunately across the ditch Oz didn’t fare so well with Matt Giteau having a nightmare evening with the boot. This gave the English the test and we now have to put up with all sorts of churchillian headlines in the British broadsheets about this new dawn for English rugby (if the All Blacks were coming back from the Northern Hemisphere with two losses, two wins and a draw – we’d be calling for Graham Henry’s head on a Catherine Wheel).

Unfortunately for England, they couldn’t quite hold the momentum of that rare win on Australian soil, and were soundly defeated by the Maori in Napier last night. It was a great game with both teams running the ball and playing rugby in the spirit that we love it to be played. Hosea Gear put his hand up for All Black honours with a hat trick of tries and even the English showed some exciting invention - which had most gasping in disbelief.

Suzy strikes at the All Whites training camp

On a strictly non rugby related note, I couldn’t miss mentioning the All Whites and their miraculous draw with incumbent world champions Italy at the football world cup. This is huge news for New Zealand sports fans and it is great that everyone has got behind the team.

I doubt very much that we will be able to beat or draw with Paraguay who definitely look the form team of the group. However we have extra worries to contend with now. It appears Suzy the waitress is once again in our midst with NZ star defender Ryan Nelsen currently suffering a stomach bug. Echoes of 1995 rumble on, can we ever escape these harsh memories?

Neemia Tialata

I’m not a fan of Tialata on the field - he is no Carl Hayman. But my heart softened when I read his twitter page earlier. “G/morning tweeps! 2day, 2morrow, & always u are love & wished the best the future brings... So best wishes and let's be the best 2day... “ tweets Neemia.

I don’t know what the old school All Blacks of pinetree’s era would make of all that, but I think it’s quite nice when a rugby player is in tune with his inner new age mantra via social networking. And it never hurts anyone when you wish them love.

Six Nations, Tony Veitch and the silly old Super 14

More rugby on both sides of the hemisphere this weekend with the six nations bringing out a list of predictable results, although still quite spicy all the same. Particularly with the Welsh getting a bit of a scare from England. The sweet chariots (am I allowed to call them that?) even outscored those tricky welsh by two tries to one! What? Old Twinkletoes Williams (although thanks KLK - I didn't see the game so didn't realise that Williams wasn't playing) getting sidestepped by Armitage? Very impressive and I’m sure that will give Warren Gatland something to chew over before next weeks’ matches.

Ireland are sounding on form although we need to keep in mind they were only playing Italy so maybe it might pay not to get too excited yet. I mean, It’s all very well to look impressive against the probably wooden spooners of the tournament.

Even though Scotland were pipped by France this weekend, I’m still picking them to upset the apple cart this tournament. Don’t ask me my logic for this – it’s just a feeling.

Meanwhile, down south and the super 14 has started triggering the usual ‘it’s too early’ cries of woe in all the national newspapers. I’m not a huge super 14 fan. This might be because my team (Hurricanes), always seem to play quite ineptly, especially considering they've got so many supposed All Blacks representing them. I wasn’t surprised to hear on Saturday that they’d been beaten by the Warratahs (again). I think poor coaching might have something to do with it although for some reason, everyone in Wellington seems to think Colin Cooper walks on water. This baffles me.

One last thing. I began to think I was going mad when I heard that Tony Veitch was being brought back to television through Murray Deaker, another grumpy old rugby fart (are there any other types on New Zealand television?). But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Veitch has also been nominated in New Zealand’s media awards for top sports presenter! I guess all this goes to prove (not that we needed it proven anyway) that the New Zealand media is right down there at the bottom of the dung pile of world television. If you’ve never heard of Tony Veitch – lucky you. If you have– here’s an article from the Dropkicks site that sums up my feelings too.