RUGBY WORLD CUP: Results 24-27 Sept.

27.11.2011Canada 23, Japan 23 in Napier (Pool A)
Italy 27, United States 10 in Nelson ( Pool C)

26.09.2011Wales 81, Namibia 7 in New Plymouth (Pool D)

25.09.2011Samoa 27, Fiji 7 in Auckland (Pool D)
Ireland 62, Russia 12 in Rotorua (Pool C)
Argentina 13, Scotland 12 in Wellington (Pool B)

24.09.2011England 67, Romania 3 in Dunedin (Pool B)
New Zealand 37, France 17 in Auckland (Pool A)

RUGBY WORLD CUP

I am off to Palmerston North Monday. I am not sure about my internet connection Tuesday through to Thursday. Fingers crossed.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Results Sunday 25 September

Samoa 27, Fiji 7 in Auckland (Pool D)
Argentina 13, Scotland 12 in Wellington (Pool B)
Ireland 62, Russia 12 in Rotorua ( Pool C)

WORLD CUP RUGBY: The Game. Samoa 27, Fiji 7

After the spectacle and the hype pre game, the game itself had its moments, especially the second half, but it never reached great heights.

Samoa were just too well organised in defence and snuffled out most Fijian attacks. It wasn’t until the second half that the game became more interesting but one felt, although we waited expectantly in vain, that Fiji would narrow the score and make a close game of it. That never happened.

As was the case in last night game, there were plenty of injuries. Whilst Fiji has no chance now of making the quarter finals, Samoa has to front up to South Africa next weekend. We will have to wait and see how the injury list from the game pans out.

 

Just before kickoff, the crowds take every opportunity to wave their flags
and make as much noise as they can. The view was a sea of blue, red and light blue.

For the first time we saw two island war dances at the same time. The response
from the crowd was deafening.

Once the game was over there was a touching scene where both teams joined
in prayer at the end of a fierce encounter. Now you tell me in what other
sport would you find that happening. That is one reason why I love this game.
Both teams saluted their supporters at the end of the game.

 

As you can imagine it went down well with the crowd.

 

This Samoan supporter stripped to the waist at the end of the game and did his own
war dance. A victory dance perhaps? Then he was joined by the lady on the left.
They then did their dance together. Just fantastic!

Tomorrow (Monday) I’m off to Palmerston North to see how rural New Zealand
handles the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

WORLD CUP RUGBY: Samoa v Fiji. Before The Game

 

On the way to Eden Park I walked up Kingsland Avenue.
The Samoan family at the top of the road had the house
and themselves well prepared for the game.

 
Samoan supporter on the left, Fijian on the right. These two
nations brought a mass of colour to the streets before
kickoff.

They guys on the right were definitely supporting Fiji but I wasn’t
sure about the headgear.

  
I had not seen Eden Park in the day time. One regret was not doing an
Eden Park guided tour. O=Just inside the gate at the Walters Avenue
end are these two statues of two of New Zealand’s most famous
All Blacks. On the left is Dave Gallagher, known as the father of the
All Blacks, the captain of the 1905 ‘Originals’. To the right is
Michael Jones, scoring the first try at the first Rugby World Cup, back
in 1987. Jones would become one of the legends of the game.

 
More supporters. Every I approached was more than happy to have
their photo taken. By now the rain had eased.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Looking for my Pics from Saturday. Scroll down.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Argentina v Scotland, Pool B

25.09.2011

Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Preview
This is, perhaps apart from the Samoa v Fiji Game, would be the match of the day. A big clash between two teams with the result going either way. For Scotland needs a win to easily make the quarter finals. For Argentina it is a little more difficult as they have already lost to England. If Argentina wins the result of next weekend’s Scotland v England test match crucial.

\Both teams are fielding their strongest possible lineups. Argentina has been the more impressive of the two teams so far in this tournament. Scotland has bumbled their way through victories over lesser ranked teams whilst Argentina could have defeated England and were dominant over Romania.

Last Five Encounters
19.06.2010 Scotland 13-9 in Mar del Plata
12.06.2010 Scotland 24-16 in Tucuman
28.11.2009 Argentina 9-6 at Murrayfield
14.06.2008 Scotland 26-14 in Buenos Aires
07.06.2009 Argentina 21-15 in Rosario

Argentina This World Cup
10.09.2011 v England L 9-13 in Dunedin
17.09.2011 v Romania W 43-8 in Invercargill

Scotland This World Cup
10.09.2011 v Romania W 34-24 in Invercargill
17.09.2011 v Georgia W 15-6 in Dunedin

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Scotland 5th, Argentina 11th

IRB Ranking Points
Scotland 79.12, Argentina 77.30

Prediction: Argentina by 7

Teams

Scotland
15 Christopher Paterson, 14 Max Evans, 13 Nicholas De Luca, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Rory Lawson,Capt. 8 Kelly Brown,
7 John Barclay, 6 Alistair Strokosch, 5 James Hamilton, 4 Richard Gray, 3 Geoffrey Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements
16 Douglas Hall, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Richard Vernon, 20 Michael Blair, 21 Daniel Parks, 22 Simon Danielli.
Head Coach: Andy Robinson

Argentina
15 Martín Rodríguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Felipe Contepomi,Capt. 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Santiago Fernández, 9 Nicolás Vergallo,
8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements
16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Martín Scelzo, 18 Mariano Galarza, 19 Genaro Fessia, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 22 Juan Jose Imhoff
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Fiji v Samoa, Pool D

25.09.2011

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (new Zealand)

Preview
Rival Pacific Island nations meet in the heart of a city that is second home to thousands of Fijians and Samoans. There is an intense and keen competition between two nations in which rugby is their national sport.

For both teams this world cup has been disappointing. Samoa lost to Wales, a game they have won in the past, whilst Fiji were outplayed in the running game 3-49 to South Africa. Fiji ran the South Africans close in Pool play at the 2007 World Cup.

A lot is resting on this outcome. The winner has a chance of making the quarter finals. The winner also has a chance at automatic qualifying for the next Rugby World Cup.

Last Five Encounters
09.07.2011 Fiji 36-18 in Suva (Pacific Nations Cup)
26.06.2010 Samoa 31-9 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
27.06.2009 Fiji 19-14 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
07.06.2008 Fiji 34-17 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
19.05.2007 Samoa 8-3 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)

Samoa and Fiji have never meet at a Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament before.

Samoa This World Cup
14.09.2011 v Namibia W 49-12 in Rotorua
18.09.2011 v Wales L 10-17 in Hamilton

Fiji This World Cup
10.09.2011 v Namibia W 49-25 in Rotorua
17.09.2011 v South Africa L 3-49 in Wellington

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Samoa 9th, Fiji 14th
Oceania Table-Samoa 3rd, Fiji 4th

IRB Ranking Points
Samoa 73.59, Fiji 71.01

Prediction: Samoa by 7 points

Teams

Fiji
15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gaby Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Mala Ravulo, 6 Netani Edward Talei, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Seko Kalou, 3 Deacon Manu,Capt. 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Head Coach: Samuela Domoni
Replacements
16 Talemaitoga Dautu Tuapati, 17 Setefano Somoca, 18 Rupeni Nasiga, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Vitori Tomu Buatava, 21 Albert James Vulivuli, 22 Waisea Sedre Luveniyali
Head Coach: Samuela Domoni

Samoa
15 Paul Williams, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger,Capt. 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements
16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Filipo Lavea Levi, 19 Manaia Salavea, 20 Jeremy Sua, 21 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 22 James Sooialo.
Head Coach: Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Ireland v Russia, Pool C

25.09.2011

Venue: Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Preview
Predictably Irish coach Declan Kidney has rested key players after the important 15-6 win over Australia last weekend. He has handed Leo Cullen the captaincy and it is expected that Ireland, even if they don’t fire like they did last weekend, will have too much grunt for Russia.

Russia has also rested players. The weather looks a bit dodgy in Rotorua. If anything it will reduce the amount of damage the Irish will do.

Previous Encounter
21.09.2002 Ireland 35-3 in Krasnoyarsk (WCQ Europe R4, Pool A)

Ireland This World Cup
11.09.2011 v USA W 22-10 in New Plymouth
17.09.2011 v Australia W 15-6 in Auckland

Russia This World Cup (Their first)
15.09.2011 v USA L 6-13 in New Plymouth
20.09.2011 v Italy L 17-53

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Ireland 2nd, Russia 20th
Europe Table-Ireland 3rd, Russia 11th

IRB Ranking Points
Ireland 82.40, Russia 60.54

Prediction: Ireland by 65 points

Teams

Ireland
15 Robert Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Patrick Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien,
6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Leo Cullen, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Anthony Buckley, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements
16 Rory Best, 17 Michael Ross, 18 Denis Leamy, 19 Shane Jennings, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Geordan Murphy.
Head Coach: Declan Kidney

Russia
15 Vasily Artemyev, 14 Denis Simplikevich, 13 Andrey Kuzin, 12 Sergey Trishin, 11 Vladimir Ostroushko, 10 Konstantin Rachkov, 9 Alexander Yanyushkin,Capt.
8 Victor Gresev, 7 Andrey Garbuzov, 6 Artem Fatakhov, 5 Adam Byrnes, 4 Denis Antonov, 3 Alexander Khrokin, 2 Valery Tsnobiladze, 1 Sergey Popov.
Replacements
16 Evgeny Matveev, 17 Ivan Prishchepenko, 18 Alexey Travkin, 19 Alexander Voytov, 20 Andrey Bykanov, 21 Mikhail Sidorov, 22 Mikhail Babaev.
Head Coach: Nik Nerush

RUGBY WORLD CUP. Sorry

Unable to review Sunday’s games. Meeting family for Lunch and I’m off to see Fiji v Samoa this afternoon.

Scroll down to see all the pics from France v New Zealand Saturday.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: New Zealand v France. Afterwards

Mel and Scott from Auckland were delighted with
the result. Cop the bucket!

 

 

One of the least expected tour groups I met were these supporters from Poland.
Tomasz Knap, Pawel Rodziejczak, Jerry Grochowalski and Marin Rybacki
were tonight supporting France. Rugby in Poland is thriving. Poland plays in the European
Nations Cup, Division 1B. Go to www.rugbyinternational.net for more details.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: New Zealand v France. The Game

New Zealand 37, France 17

Review
France put considerable pressure on the New Zealand line early in the game. It looked like there was going to be a close battle. Not so. Once the All Blacks had established a 19-0 lead after 15 minutes with three quick tries the game was all but over. The All Blacks, from then on, never looked like they were going to lose.

It some ways it was disappointing. Most were expecting a close encounter. On the day New Zealand were a class above the French who looked, more often than not, slow, cumbersome and even unenthusiastic. But not to take anything away from the All Blacks. They were simply an awesome side last night.

What will be worrying will be the number of injured players from last night. Kahui, Thompson and Dagg all looked crook and were replaced.

The trusty though limited camera of mine did its best to capture the spirit of the game. For those who were there it was an unforgettable experience.

 

Okay, not easy to see. But then you have to understand I’m working with a very cheap but
reliable Nikon Coolpix.

 
Anthems and haka, followed by a deafening roar from the crowd.

Left-French supporters with the French bread and accompaniments.
Right-Warwick and wife from Pukekohe were my neighbours for the match.
Ardent All Black supporters who were thoroughly delightful souls.

 
Crowd at left and Richie McCaw and his ‘100th test Cap’ on screen.

 

Here’s the proof I was there. It was a very emotional time for me and I did shed tears of
joy and happiness.

And a special thank you to my wife Annie who texted me just before the kickoff wishing
me well, and her love, in this adventure.

rugint

RUGBY WORLD CUP: New Zealand v France. Before The Game

Before the game a tried to capture the atmosphere around the streets of Kingsland, the suburb of Eden Park.

 

The  variety of costumes worn by the French supporters was amazing.
Lower left. A large number of Argentina supporters!

 

Napoleon and right hand man at right.

Flags were prominent. Basques at right.

This T-shirt caught my eye. The New Zealand supporters came up
with their own ways of showing support for the All Blacks.

 
Right-A group of Japanese students getting into the festive mood. They supported
the All Blacks on one side of their faces, and ‘Les Blues’ on the other.

 
Right. Difficult to see but by the railway station a temporary bar was set up (right)
There were others along the streets of Kingsland.

 

Below. Closer to Eden Park the crowds began to swarm to their seats.
There was plenty of entertainment outside the ground.

 

Left. A couple on stilts were waltzing. Right-Polynesian group of musicians
and dancers.

Musicains left and more dancers right.

Amazing winged creatures on stilts.

 
Lots of French slogans. Maori warriors to the right.