RWC 2011 - a week in quotes

Ferdy's round up - first weekend of RWC 2011

Here are my thoughts on the dramatic opening weekend of Rugby World Cup 2011.

Opening ceremony: Made me homesick for New Zillunt. It was beautiful. Glad it wasn't blowing a gale (I don't know why but I've become a nanna and keep praying that the tournament will have nice weather). Loving the anthems too with the NZSO backing tracks. But ITV doesn't focus on the choir singing which is a shame, I want to see whether I know anyone.

Opening game Tonga V NZ highlights: A first half try fest. Sonny Bill Williams for that *ahem* shirt change. No major injuries to any key players. Baby blacks Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui - will they or won't they usurp the old guard?

Opening game Tonga V NZ lowlights: The second half with the wheels falling off some rusty All Black forwards. Too many penalties, too many unforced errors. But credit to Tonga, they lifted their game and in hindsight, NZ did not do too badly. I am unhappy about our halfbacks.

England v Argentina highlights: The atmosphere in Dunedin's new stadium seemed electric. Hopefully this will shut people up who moan on about New Zealand rugby stadia lacking atmosphere. An Argentinian streaker cheekily winking at Jonny Wilkinson. Even though the skills on show were at best average and at worst dire, this was still a fantastic game to watch. Loved every minute of it. (Also, can't help it, I love Martin Johnson wearing his big gruff heart on his sleeve).

England V Argentina lowlights: The England all black kit malfunctioned in every way possible - from the players wearing the shirts to the numbers falling off them. I never thought I'd watch a rugby team in black have such trouble trying to find the tryline. Maybe swap back to white next time boys - eh?

Favourite tweet: 'Overheard Martin Johnson say 'i think i'm going to puma pants'

France V Japan: I didn't see the whole game, but until the last ten minutes, it was close with excellent Japanese defence - and a try. The minnows are roaring in NZ! JK is doing good work, will he be the next AB coach I wonder? French backline looked dangerous (gulp).

Australia V Italy: avoided watching this as couldn't bear to witness an Australian backline cut shreds into the Italians. The less I see of Quade Cooper, the better at the moment.

Ireland V USA: Missed this too but it sounded like the crowd was amazing (my home turf) if not the actual rugby. Loved Paul Emerick's intercept try for the US in the dying seconds. The eagle has landed.

South Africa V Wales: the game of the tournament thus far. What is it with Wales always in the most dramatic games at RWCs? They were so unlucky with Wayne Barnes yet again orchestrating controversy with a missed penalty goal (this will become stuff of legend). We know how you feel Wales, we know how you feel.

This morning's Wikipedia page on Wayne Barnes that was quickly edited after five minutes: Wayne Barnes is an English international rugby referee who has his eyes painted on

Conspiracy theory of the week: The kickers are struggling with these special IRB balls for this world cup. Maybe they've been especially engineered to deter too many drop goal attempts? Hope so. Loved the way everyone in Wellington booed when Morne Steyn tried for a droppie.

Annoying journalism: I don't want to read any more pompous articles in England about how New Zealand fans should behave. Likewise anything about rugby player WAGs - this isn't football (or tiddly winks). And if I had a ten cent coin for every article about the All Blacks that mentions choking, I'd be a kazillionaire by now. Boring, lazy journalism. Where's the originality?

Is it just me or has the rugby this weekend been brilliant? Anything to do with maybe the tournament coming back to its spiritual home and bringing out the best in everyone?

The ruggerblogger cup: Results are out. I'm middling to bottom of the table. Shit. Must do better (it's tough being a coach).

Miss a game and don't have time to watch the replay? All you need to do is log onto ruggerblogger and take a glance at Slugo's incredible rugby infographics which will tell you exactly how the game panned out. Amazing. The man is a living legend attempting to put up graphics of all 48 games.  Plus - he has designed some fantastic mobile phone apps. Check them out, they're wicked.

South Africa 18 - New Zealand 5. Tri Nations 2011

Tri Nations 2011
Port Elizabeth.

Reading Duncan Johnston's article in Stuff this morning, one might have been forgiven for thinking that the All Blacks had won today's match against a fired up Bok team.  Johnston writes:

Wings Hosea Gear and Isaia Toeava were lively when they got a sniff, there was more to centre Kahui's game than just his powerful finish for the try and Sonny Bill Williams put in some big hits in defence.Colin Slade took a while to get into the game but grew in confidence though, but two missed goal kicks were disappointing when New Zealand were so desperate for points.Liam Messam and Adam Thomson had big defensive games and crucially looshead prop Tony Woodcock got through 70 minutes


I think on this article, Johnston, like a fair few representing the All Blacks on the field today, should be fired from his day job.

No self respecting NZ rugbyhead should be celebrating any All Blacks in a team that only managed to put five points on the scoreboard (never before in my lifetime!)

The blessing in disguise is hopefully we've been able to sort the wheat from the chaff in this incredibly frustrating and quite torturous match (particularly the second half, what a load of pants).  Sure, NZ crossed the chalk which was more than an impassioned South Africa managed to do.  But our execution was sloppy and so frustrating.

In my opinion  there are several journeymen that should be ejected from the team now and a few that shouldn't  have any more second chances.

I'm tired of Liam Messam. His posturing before the game but his complete lack of anything else during the game. Likewise Adam Thompson - I keep waiting for him to be as good as the hype that surrounds him.  Jimmy Cowan had the speed of an old lady on a zimmer frame (as evidenced by the opening minute try that got away). Andy Ellis is no great shakes.  Toeava made some breaks but he fluffs his lines constantly in the test arena and how many chances does he get?  Ali Williams is not the player of old. John Afoa seems a nice guy, but we want more on the rugby field. And Sonny Bill Williams. Well, we all desperately want him to be the player we've heard he is,  but where is he in these games?  I haven't seen him yet and I think the clock is ticking.

Credit to South Africa and their committed defence.  They were more passionate. But will their win have done them and their delusional coach many favours in the long run.  I don't mean to be ungracious (but basically, I'm hurting and as this is a NZ blog, I shall have a wee moan).  We had the possession, we had the territory. We got over the gain line.  It was our execution that let us down poorly and Morne Steyn's boot.  But our execution. Egad. So annoying. It was more than annoying. It was crap!  Five points!?

One last thing. I can't put the boot into Colin Slade. I felt sorry for the guy. It would be awful if the whole country turned on him two weeks out, like they've done in the past with Stephen Donald.  Truth was, Slade made lots of mistakes. I don't know why he continuously kicked the ball back to the Boks (and in our very own half too half the time!)  But I want to give him another chance. After all. We don't have another back up this late in the game. He needs confidence. We need to start praying.

Ending on a positive. Israel Dagg. He made a few terrible errors, but he has to be in the RWC squad.

Five points!?!? Five points?

five points

Super Rugby at Twickenham - Crusaders V The Sharks

It was a balmy day at Twickenham yesterday, the first day of daylight saving, and the hint of spring making you feel good to be alive.  Although the crowd did not exceed expectations (only 35,000 turned up in the end), the lower tier of the stadium was still packed and we were able to remember and do our bit for the Christchurch relief fund in the stands.

The rugby was simply stunning, with the Crusader's attacking backs, aided by Sonny Bill Williams running wild in the first half.  I could be biased but some of the tries took my breath away. Into the second half, the Sharks decided to wake up, mounting a spirited comeback while some of the Crusaders took their foot off the pedal for a bit of a snooze. (Why do NZ teams do that?) 

The rugby purists in the North may say that this was powder puff rugger with a lot of dodgy defence, but I think they might just be a wee bit jealous.  Sure, the defence was leaky in places (but what game doesn't have leaky defence?). This was rugby played at a frantic pace with both teams willing to attack and create a spectacle to cheer the hearts of everyone watching.

Man of the match was indeed - Dan Carter (does he ever have a bad game at Twickenham). The Crusaders impressed not only in the backs but also with their dominant scrum and at the breakdown, the Richie McCaw replacement of Matt Todd had everyone wondering how these Cantabs manage to find so many quality loose forwards.

Rave reviews of the match have been written about the game in London with the Time's Stuart Barnes almost orgasmic in his observations: 'These teams produced a game of rugby so far in excess of anything in the recent Six Nations that the implications are frightening," he said. "The earth moved today at Twickenham in an altogether more munificent manner. The rugby world showed its support for Christchurch and in return the Crusaders produced a mini epic."

Not everyone was pleased. The Saracens chairman was unhappy that the RFU had agreed to play the match at Twickenham as it meant that only 7,000 people turned up for an Aviva Premiership match between the Saracens and Newcastle held at the same time.  It was a typically ungenerous thing to get up in arms for (but I don't expect anything less from these rich English clubs that want for nothing when it comes to player time and resource).  Also, I for one was never planning on travelling to Watford to watch the Saracens and I suspect the majority of people at Twickenham were the same.

Not to be too churlish however to the English rugby community. The majority were supportive to let this game be played and a big thank you to the RFU for letting this go ahead. And if the Saracens really want more people coming to their matches, maybe they need to start playing some rugby like this..... 

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