New Zealand's first covered stadium - the House of Pane.
This should be the closest game yet. England's ranking is 5th in the world, Argentina 9th.
The English are trying to trick the Argies into thinking they are New Zealand by wearing All Black.
No point getting worked up about this however considering the All Blacks second strip is historically pretty similar to England's first. Megan is quite hot on this point and let's face facts, she's right.
Also of note is the cunning way the England are shedding their numbers like snakeskin to keep everyone guessing. This is a new low in jersey numbering in rugby history. In fact probably it is the first low in jersey numbering in rugby history.
It is good to see Jonny Wlikinson back in the crucible of world rugby, as he is the man responsible for the crazy stances of many kickers these days. His peculiar "Like a Prayer" kicking style is to the fore within short time.
Argentina's Little (Contem) Poni and his mate Rodriguez take turns trying to outpoint Jonny too good, but they squander numerous shots at goal. The tryfest that is the 2011 Rugby World Cup dries up as these two dunderheaded teams of oafs run into each other for the whole first half.
The few chances to score tries in the first 40 are all butchered by the teams leaden backlines.
At rare stages a game of rugby looks set to ignite, but for the most part the game is a bizarre mixture of forcing back and arm wrestling.
Halftime can't happen soon enough and Argentina go to the break 6-3 up.
If I'm going to watch 43 more games of rugby please lord don't let them be this bad.
The second half gets WORSE. Can I reiterate that this stadium has a roof. Between the teams, 11 penalty kicks and 1 drop goal are missed in the match.
The turning point in the game stems from an Argentinean penalty. Given Jonny's woeful kicking performance England are forced to kick for touch and try for a try. They win a lineout, set up a maul, then a ruck, then score a try to replacement Ben Youngs. This Youngs gun puts down the ball under the sticks which allows Jonny to momentarily recover his kicking Mojo.
The rest is history. England win this match in true England style 13-9.
If either of these teams makes the final of this World Cup, we are going to have to take up Lacrosse or (God forbid) Aussie Rules as a new National sport.
Final Score 13-9
Tournament try watch. 5 games 30 tries
Tweet of the match- "Don't try for 3 Argentina" @Alilkram
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Game 4 - France v Japan - North Harbour Stadium - 10 September 2011
PRE MATCH
The North Half a Stadium awaits New Zealand's recent nemesis France, where they are playing Japan.
I would like Japan to give the French what for. Partly because Japan's coach is the great John Kirwan. His try against Italy in the inaugral World Cup match is burned into the memory of everyone who watched it. He has even made depression sexy, we love JK so. Also because the French have made a recent habit of raining on the All Black's parade and, in general, we've all had a guts-full of them.
But I'm going to have to concede that it probably ain't gonna happen.
I'm pleased to hear the not so dulcet tones of an Australian commentator in Sky's coverage. I am fond of Aussie pundits - they are more colourful than us Kiwis.
Megan is napping on the couch as we await kick off.
HALF TIME REPORT
Another cracker game. The French have looked lethal in the backs and would have demoralised many an opposition. But the minnows have stuck to their game plan and have managed a minor fightback and scored a try of their own. Watching Coach Kirwan's ebullient reaction to their try was a real treat.
The halftime score of 25-11 is a fair reflection of the run of play.
The All Blacks will have to play both of these teams, and I'm not sure they would be happy to concede a try to the Japanese.
Referee Steve Walsh Jnr looks like he needs a stiff drink.
Megan can scarcely believe that I intend to watch 48 whole Rugby matches. She's given up on me but not in an unsupportive way. She has gone to the kitchen to cook meatloaf. The smells are tantalising. She came through to high-5 me when Japan scored though.
FULL TIME REPORT
The second half began as expected with heavy-duty French pressure on the Brave Blossoms tryline. They were held up twice in goal in the first 5 minutes of the half. But then astonishingly the Japanese fought back to dominate the middle 20 minutes of the half. At one stage they took the score to 24-21.
At this point the crowd were going absolutely ballistic, making more noise than a North Harbour crowd has ever generated in support of its own rugby team. A fairy tale beckoned, until an enormous unit named Lionel Nallet put the game beyond the Japanese grasp. In doing so he answered the riddle of what has happened to caveman Sebastein Chabal... patently Nallet ate him.
In the last ten minutes the game blew out to a very flattering 47-21 victory to the French, but they will be as unhappy with their performance as the All Blacks were 21 hours earlier.
I thought this was the best match of the tournament so far, and the try count is through the roof. 29 tries from 4 games, if this theme continues through to the knockout rounds, this may well be remembered as the finest tournament ever.
Final Score 47-21
4 games 29 tries
Tweet of the match- "Akai! Sakura! Go go go!" @dritchie
The North Half a Stadium awaits New Zealand's recent nemesis France, where they are playing Japan.
I would like Japan to give the French what for. Partly because Japan's coach is the great John Kirwan. His try against Italy in the inaugral World Cup match is burned into the memory of everyone who watched it. He has even made depression sexy, we love JK so. Also because the French have made a recent habit of raining on the All Black's parade and, in general, we've all had a guts-full of them.
But I'm going to have to concede that it probably ain't gonna happen.
I'm pleased to hear the not so dulcet tones of an Australian commentator in Sky's coverage. I am fond of Aussie pundits - they are more colourful than us Kiwis.
Megan is napping on the couch as we await kick off.
HALF TIME REPORT
Another cracker game. The French have looked lethal in the backs and would have demoralised many an opposition. But the minnows have stuck to their game plan and have managed a minor fightback and scored a try of their own. Watching Coach Kirwan's ebullient reaction to their try was a real treat.
The halftime score of 25-11 is a fair reflection of the run of play.
The All Blacks will have to play both of these teams, and I'm not sure they would be happy to concede a try to the Japanese.
Referee Steve Walsh Jnr looks like he needs a stiff drink.
Megan can scarcely believe that I intend to watch 48 whole Rugby matches. She's given up on me but not in an unsupportive way. She has gone to the kitchen to cook meatloaf. The smells are tantalising. She came through to high-5 me when Japan scored though.
FULL TIME REPORT
The second half began as expected with heavy-duty French pressure on the Brave Blossoms tryline. They were held up twice in goal in the first 5 minutes of the half. But then astonishingly the Japanese fought back to dominate the middle 20 minutes of the half. At one stage they took the score to 24-21.
At this point the crowd were going absolutely ballistic, making more noise than a North Harbour crowd has ever generated in support of its own rugby team. A fairy tale beckoned, until an enormous unit named Lionel Nallet put the game beyond the Japanese grasp. In doing so he answered the riddle of what has happened to caveman Sebastein Chabal... patently Nallet ate him.
In the last ten minutes the game blew out to a very flattering 47-21 victory to the French, but they will be as unhappy with their performance as the All Blacks were 21 hours earlier.
I thought this was the best match of the tournament so far, and the try count is through the roof. 29 tries from 4 games, if this theme continues through to the knockout rounds, this may well be remembered as the finest tournament ever.
Final Score 47-21
4 games 29 tries
Tweet of the match- "Akai! Sakura! Go go go!" @dritchie
Game 3 - Fiji v Namibia - Rotorua International Stadium - 10 September 2011
The weather across the country has come to the party and again we are enjoying picture perfect conditions for Game 3 in Rotovegas.
I am Fijian, in that I was born there to New Zealand parents. Suffice to say I hope they do very well whenever they play rugby, even when they play the All Blacks. It is a shame that a great rugby nation is playing in this tournament under a political cloud.
I know little of Namibia except that it is birthplace to the captain of the International All Star silly name XV Percy Montgomery. Megan is surprised that there are very few African faces in the Namibian team. I'm fully expecting the Pacific nation to blow the Africans off the Rotorua park.
An early Fijian try confirms my belief that their backline will be too much of a handful for their counterparts. But then after 170 minutes of football in this tournament Namibian first five Theuns Kotze scores the first drop goal, and 2 minutes later adds a second. His third drop goal is slotted 15 minutes into the game. Kotze is controlling the game like any of the great first fives of yore. Like a Fox, Lynagh or a Porta.
We soon realise we are in a battle between the good and evil of rugby. The expansive 15 man game vs the territorial dominance of the 10 man game. But the power, pace and passion of the Fijians can not be contained by the smaller African side, and before long to the joy of the crowd, the Fiji team overwhelm Namibia.
Fiji's fourth try secured a bonus point a gnat's whisker before half time to head to the break 32-15 ahead. Right winger Vereneki Goneva had also bagged the tournament's first hat trick inside 40 minutes. With Namibia's points coming only 3 at a time the game looks likely to be closed out baring a miracle.
The turning point of the game comes with the second half. Namibia realising they can't get back into the game 3 points at a time, throw caution and the ten man game to the wind. The half is full of glorious rugby as Fiji weather the storm of a Namibian fightback. Four fabulous tries are scored in the half... two apiece. Goneva bags a four-fer and the man of the match.
With 3 games played in the tournament we've already seen 21 tries. Most of them glorious. The next 6 weeks promise to be fabulous.
Final Score 49-25
3 games 21 tries
Tweet of the match- "What do you call four tries in a game? Quattrick?" @tonynewling
I am Fijian, in that I was born there to New Zealand parents. Suffice to say I hope they do very well whenever they play rugby, even when they play the All Blacks. It is a shame that a great rugby nation is playing in this tournament under a political cloud.
I know little of Namibia except that it is birthplace to the captain of the International All Star silly name XV Percy Montgomery. Megan is surprised that there are very few African faces in the Namibian team. I'm fully expecting the Pacific nation to blow the Africans off the Rotorua park.
An early Fijian try confirms my belief that their backline will be too much of a handful for their counterparts. But then after 170 minutes of football in this tournament Namibian first five Theuns Kotze scores the first drop goal, and 2 minutes later adds a second. His third drop goal is slotted 15 minutes into the game. Kotze is controlling the game like any of the great first fives of yore. Like a Fox, Lynagh or a Porta.
We soon realise we are in a battle between the good and evil of rugby. The expansive 15 man game vs the territorial dominance of the 10 man game. But the power, pace and passion of the Fijians can not be contained by the smaller African side, and before long to the joy of the crowd, the Fiji team overwhelm Namibia.
Fiji's fourth try secured a bonus point a gnat's whisker before half time to head to the break 32-15 ahead. Right winger Vereneki Goneva had also bagged the tournament's first hat trick inside 40 minutes. With Namibia's points coming only 3 at a time the game looks likely to be closed out baring a miracle.
The turning point of the game comes with the second half. Namibia realising they can't get back into the game 3 points at a time, throw caution and the ten man game to the wind. The half is full of glorious rugby as Fiji weather the storm of a Namibian fightback. Four fabulous tries are scored in the half... two apiece. Goneva bags a four-fer and the man of the match.
With 3 games played in the tournament we've already seen 21 tries. Most of them glorious. The next 6 weeks promise to be fabulous.
Final Score 49-25
3 games 21 tries
Tweet of the match- "What do you call four tries in a game? Quattrick?" @tonynewling
Game 2 - Scotland v Romania - Rugby Park Stadium - 10 September 2011
Invercargill is as pretty as a picture as one of the minnows of the tournament takes on one of the more established teams. Scotland are regarded the 7th best team in the world and play in the 6 Nations tournament each year. Romania are 17th in the rankings and struggle to secure enough matches with the big guns to improve.
If many vocal pundits had their way the RWC would be contested between the 12 best nations with the Romanias left to play a lower tier competition. This game shows why we should continue to grow the tournament and foster the likes of Romania.
The first turning point occurs only 8 minutes into the game. Scotland are flexing their muscle and have scored a penalty and a nifty try under the sticks by half back Mike Blair. The simple conversion will put them 10 points in front and Romania a long way behind. But Stalwart fullback Chris Patterson with 780 international points under his belt inexplicably misses the easiest kick of his life right in front of the posts. The ball dribbled along the ground in front of him like a grubber kick. Humorous for us, embarrassing for him. The lead stays at 8 and the amused crowd have no idea how important this miss may become.
Romania realise they are outclassed in the backs and shift the game into a forward battle, they begin to dominate particularly at scrum time. They gradually start exerting pressure on the Scots by sticking to the basics, accumulating points through penalties and they get within striking distance.
When Romanian Skipper Mihaita Alexandru Lazar scores a try close on half time, his team feel a surge of belief. They play the 30 minutes of their lives and with 10 minutes left to go a boil-over is on the cards, as they lead 24-21. A penalty brings Scotland level, but still a dream beckons.
Sadly for supporters of the underdog, the second turning point was a brace of tries to Scotland winger Simon Danielli as the expected result ends up playing out. Cruelly the 34-24 final score means Romania emerge from the match with no points to go with their renewed pride.
Scotland on the other hand gain 5 points, and a clear indication that they need to improve their basics and set piece if they are going to press on in the tournament.
Final score 34 - 24
2 Games 13 tries
Tweet of the match - "This team is the best thing to come out of Romania since Dracula" @alilkram
If many vocal pundits had their way the RWC would be contested between the 12 best nations with the Romanias left to play a lower tier competition. This game shows why we should continue to grow the tournament and foster the likes of Romania.
The first turning point occurs only 8 minutes into the game. Scotland are flexing their muscle and have scored a penalty and a nifty try under the sticks by half back Mike Blair. The simple conversion will put them 10 points in front and Romania a long way behind. But Stalwart fullback Chris Patterson with 780 international points under his belt inexplicably misses the easiest kick of his life right in front of the posts. The ball dribbled along the ground in front of him like a grubber kick. Humorous for us, embarrassing for him. The lead stays at 8 and the amused crowd have no idea how important this miss may become.
Romania realise they are outclassed in the backs and shift the game into a forward battle, they begin to dominate particularly at scrum time. They gradually start exerting pressure on the Scots by sticking to the basics, accumulating points through penalties and they get within striking distance.
When Romanian Skipper Mihaita Alexandru Lazar scores a try close on half time, his team feel a surge of belief. They play the 30 minutes of their lives and with 10 minutes left to go a boil-over is on the cards, as they lead 24-21. A penalty brings Scotland level, but still a dream beckons.
Sadly for supporters of the underdog, the second turning point was a brace of tries to Scotland winger Simon Danielli as the expected result ends up playing out. Cruelly the 34-24 final score means Romania emerge from the match with no points to go with their renewed pride.
Scotland on the other hand gain 5 points, and a clear indication that they need to improve their basics and set piece if they are going to press on in the tournament.
Final score 34 - 24
2 Games 13 tries
Tweet of the match - "This team is the best thing to come out of Romania since Dracula" @alilkram
Game 1 - All Blacks v Tonga - Eden Park - 9 September 2011
After 24 years of waiting, the Rugby World Cup finally returns to Eden Park.
A lot has changed since the impish David Kirk hoisted the William Webb Ellis trophy in our inaugural success. Prior to the game most New Zealanders fears were focussed on the opening ceremony.
Those who worried that we might produce a ceremony somewhat hokey and underwhelming, would have been delightfully surprised. The ceremony was carefully thought out and superbly executed. It went off without a hitch and the vision for this 40 minute ceremony was truly World Class.
The limelight was split between some very clever 3D animated projection, outstanding Kapa Haka, a delightful aryan winger of schoolboy dreams sporting a #11 Canterbury jersey and the biggest most unforgettable #11 of all time. Even the turgid Rugby Anthem "World in Union" had a fresh pacific spin to it.
The only debatable aspect of the show which bounced between Eden Park, the Viaduct Basin, The Auckland Museum and the skies all around the harbour was the dancing forklifts. I thought they were fairly incongruous, Megan thought they were delightfully quirky. Twitter was abuzz with opinion backing each of us. I guess one day historians will know the truth!
When the teams took the field, just like the opening festivities, events stayed right on script. The Tongan team stole an advantage over the All Blacks with an emotionally charged anthem. With huge 100kg+ warriors visibly weeping with pride and joy, it brought a tear to my eye. Then the Haka face-off between the Tongan and New Zealand teams was one of the finest ever seen.
Following kick off the opening script was improved upon for 40 minutes. The All Blacks played glorious running rugby. The Tongans fronted up in the forwards but were bombarded by the All Black backline. Three AB backs were exceptional; SBW, Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg - the rest were merely brilliant.
Sonny Bill Williams proved that his skills could play a meaningful part in an All Black World Cup triumph. People have often joked that he is only about the offload, but the first 40 minutes were a showcase for his skill in nearly every aspect of the game including the offload. He played a crucial role in 3 of the All Blacks first half tries, and was a monster in defence.
The forward who stood apart from an excellent All Black pack was Jerome Kaino, who tackled like a demon, secured plentiful turnovers and carried the ball with aggression and menace. By the time the referee whistled for half time the score was 29-3 and the Tongans were staring at a rout.
The All Blacks second half mirrored the issues Auckland had with staging this event in regards to transport nightmares and overcrowding downtown. Having got away to the best possible start the New Zealand team failed to complete the faultless game. The Tongans fronted up and took on the All Blacks in every department. The Tongan backs made numerous try saving tackles in the first ten minutes of the half and robbed the ABs of their belief.
I think there were two turning points in the match. The first was at 50 mins when SBW had a clear overlap and an opportunity to either set up a try, or break through 3 tacklers to score himself. When he opted for the later, he showcased the one glaring inadequacy of his game in comparison to Ma'a Nonu. He doesn't break the advantage line all that often, and you don't see him scoring many tries himself.
Following this botched 5 pointer, "special player" Isaia Toeava was vey unlucky to be denied a try by a great tackle and the TMO. The ABs had lost their mojo. Then the second turning point took place when Alisonia Tuamalolo took the field after 52 minutes.
In 28 minutes he proved that a single man can do superhuman things on a Rugby paddock. He was like a dervish, taking the vaunted All Blacks on upfront, and wresting the conch from their grasp. Tonga were dominant for a majority of the time following his substitution, and he will no doubt become some sort of Demi God in Tonga from here on - he deserves it, his try a fitting reward for an inspirational performance. In many ways his efforts mirroring the kid from the opening ceremony, he really played that well (as if in a dream) and his influence spread like a fever through his team.
The best All Black over the 80 minutes was clearly Richard Kahui who will have confounded armchair selectors by playing the game of his life, out of position. New Zealand's previous attempts to field utility players in lieu of specialists has failed spectacularly in every other Rugby World Cup. Kahui's performance should be rewarded with further selection, but at what risk when we play a top flight team?
The final score of 41-10 was a fair reflection of Tonga's fightback. And like Auckland the All Blacks will know they have to do a lot better for the remainder of the tournament if 2011 is going to be remembered for the right reasons.
Final Score 41-10
1 game 7 tries
Tweet of the match- "Taumalolo and behold. A try for Tonga!" @dbridges_nz
A lot has changed since the impish David Kirk hoisted the William Webb Ellis trophy in our inaugural success. Prior to the game most New Zealanders fears were focussed on the opening ceremony.
Those who worried that we might produce a ceremony somewhat hokey and underwhelming, would have been delightfully surprised. The ceremony was carefully thought out and superbly executed. It went off without a hitch and the vision for this 40 minute ceremony was truly World Class.
The limelight was split between some very clever 3D animated projection, outstanding Kapa Haka, a delightful aryan winger of schoolboy dreams sporting a #11 Canterbury jersey and the biggest most unforgettable #11 of all time. Even the turgid Rugby Anthem "World in Union" had a fresh pacific spin to it.
The only debatable aspect of the show which bounced between Eden Park, the Viaduct Basin, The Auckland Museum and the skies all around the harbour was the dancing forklifts. I thought they were fairly incongruous, Megan thought they were delightfully quirky. Twitter was abuzz with opinion backing each of us. I guess one day historians will know the truth!
When the teams took the field, just like the opening festivities, events stayed right on script. The Tongan team stole an advantage over the All Blacks with an emotionally charged anthem. With huge 100kg+ warriors visibly weeping with pride and joy, it brought a tear to my eye. Then the Haka face-off between the Tongan and New Zealand teams was one of the finest ever seen.
Following kick off the opening script was improved upon for 40 minutes. The All Blacks played glorious running rugby. The Tongans fronted up in the forwards but were bombarded by the All Black backline. Three AB backs were exceptional; SBW, Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg - the rest were merely brilliant.
Sonny Bill Williams proved that his skills could play a meaningful part in an All Black World Cup triumph. People have often joked that he is only about the offload, but the first 40 minutes were a showcase for his skill in nearly every aspect of the game including the offload. He played a crucial role in 3 of the All Blacks first half tries, and was a monster in defence.
The forward who stood apart from an excellent All Black pack was Jerome Kaino, who tackled like a demon, secured plentiful turnovers and carried the ball with aggression and menace. By the time the referee whistled for half time the score was 29-3 and the Tongans were staring at a rout.
The All Blacks second half mirrored the issues Auckland had with staging this event in regards to transport nightmares and overcrowding downtown. Having got away to the best possible start the New Zealand team failed to complete the faultless game. The Tongans fronted up and took on the All Blacks in every department. The Tongan backs made numerous try saving tackles in the first ten minutes of the half and robbed the ABs of their belief.
I think there were two turning points in the match. The first was at 50 mins when SBW had a clear overlap and an opportunity to either set up a try, or break through 3 tacklers to score himself. When he opted for the later, he showcased the one glaring inadequacy of his game in comparison to Ma'a Nonu. He doesn't break the advantage line all that often, and you don't see him scoring many tries himself.
Following this botched 5 pointer, "special player" Isaia Toeava was vey unlucky to be denied a try by a great tackle and the TMO. The ABs had lost their mojo. Then the second turning point took place when Alisonia Tuamalolo took the field after 52 minutes.
In 28 minutes he proved that a single man can do superhuman things on a Rugby paddock. He was like a dervish, taking the vaunted All Blacks on upfront, and wresting the conch from their grasp. Tonga were dominant for a majority of the time following his substitution, and he will no doubt become some sort of Demi God in Tonga from here on - he deserves it, his try a fitting reward for an inspirational performance. In many ways his efforts mirroring the kid from the opening ceremony, he really played that well (as if in a dream) and his influence spread like a fever through his team.
The best All Black over the 80 minutes was clearly Richard Kahui who will have confounded armchair selectors by playing the game of his life, out of position. New Zealand's previous attempts to field utility players in lieu of specialists has failed spectacularly in every other Rugby World Cup. Kahui's performance should be rewarded with further selection, but at what risk when we play a top flight team?
The final score of 41-10 was a fair reflection of Tonga's fightback. And like Auckland the All Blacks will know they have to do a lot better for the remainder of the tournament if 2011 is going to be remembered for the right reasons.
Final Score 41-10
1 game 7 tries
Tweet of the match- "Taumalolo and behold. A try for Tonga!" @dbridges_nz
September 9th 2011. TV Director seeks new position.
I have just been made redundant. It is as simple as that. I thoroughly enjoyed my work and my workmates over the last 3 and a half years, but the economic climate has finally claimed me as a casualty.
In many ways the timing of this news sucks. My wife Megan and I have twins on the way, and she will be leaving her work for maternity leave next week. We are going from Double Income No Kids "Dinkies" to Double Kids No Income in one fell swoop.
But in an altogether different way the timing is perfect. My last day at work is Friday September the 9th. I arrive home from my farewell drinks, just 60 minutes before the kick off of the Rugby World Cup 2011. My last days wages including holiday pay amount to nearly 6 weeks income, about the length of the tournament. Surely this is some form of serendipity? And surely my change of circumstances is timely for good reason.
I have decided to employ myself as a Redundant Rugby Blogger over the next 6 weeks of the tournament. I've vowed to watch every game, and provide my unique take on it. I'm pretty sure only a few of my mates will read it (if that) along with the loyal Megan too of course, but this won't deter me.
Hopefully one day our twins will be able to relive the exciting event which gripped New Zealand just shortly before their birth. Hopefully in the year where the All Blacks redeemed themselves after 20 years of suffering. Hopefully.
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