Pool D: Wales v Samoa

Another wrestle, and Samoa go so close. Check the numbers (here and at ruckingoodstats.com) ... it was real close! No one can ever talk about Samoa over achieving, or punching above their weight anymore: they are in the tent, they are at the table and frankly are probably better than their ranking of 10.

Sure there was a bit of guess the rule interpretation with Rolland there, but this was another physical game, battle out in the middle of the park.

Wales will be relieved - it was close and not pretty, but they are getting it right, and Priestland, Roberts, Warburton and AW Jones were legends.

How good is Kahn Fotuali’i? He is class ... a player that kept Andy Ellis as No. 2 halfback at the Crusaders. Manu Samoa, you rock, and your fans rock. Go get those Bokke now!

NZ anthem

Well on Wednesday night at the first ever All Black test match in New Plymouth I achieved a lifetime dream of singing the national anthem for New Zealand.

It was a great night for Taranaki. Even though the game was a mis-match with the All Blacks thrashing Samoa 101 - 14 (and I quite agree with Wynne Gray that it probably shouldn't have been given 'test' status), it was still a special event for a province that is one of New Zealand's true rugby heartlands.

The weather was good, the capacity crowd was in high spirits and there were plenty of tries. I had some personal thrills - getting to meet and sing with the roll of Taranaki's former All Blacks and also meeting arguably the world's best rugby player, Richie McCaw.

For a media slide show click here to see what a great night it was in Taradise.

In terms of singing the anthem, I can honestly say it is one of the scariest things I have ever had to do. Just knowing that you are on live television and could potentially make the greatest gunter of yourself ever. And if anyone's going to do that, chances are it would be me.

With the wonders of YouTube and viral emails, one small humiliation on live television can travel around the world in an instant. This poor woman below singing the american national anthem at a Canadian ice hockey match- well I really feel for her.

I'm just so relieved this didn't happen to me!