The West London's RWC blog

Ever Get That Blurry Bottom Feeling?

OK - a day of rest, jour de repos...a chance to go a little off topic (hang on - everything is off topic!).
The appeal of rugby is worldwide as we know, but what is it about the elite that leaves people wanting more? I guess it is probably the 'Englishness' of the sport - with everyone wanting to identify with the quaint traditions, yeoman spirit and gentlemanliness of this 'Webb Ellisyan' ethic. The soap on a rope, the Cotton Traders XXXXL tops, curry, beer and fragrant demeanour  - "Oh to be an Englishman..." - that is what is on rugby player's minds... here's proof.

"Och Aye The Noo Zealand"

" Okay gentlemen, I'll be brief - we have a table booked for McTavish's restaurant in half an hour...
First of all, to even things up a touch, we'll arrange it so that both teams play in identical kit - everyone watching will be a bit confused and that way, the Scottish public will see their team running with the ball, maybe scoring and they will flock back to Murrayfield for the next match.
"Good idea boss"
"Secondly, we get the haka meisters to do a new dance - we don't allow the others because it'll fall foul of the Health & Safety regulations - incitement to riot etc etc...make 'em do a highland fling or a cheeky, more feminine number. Definitely don't let any big, tattoed Maori lead it too - give it to someone who's a bit on the shy side maybe...
"Yeah - great boss - when's dinner?"
"And we need to think about the referee, I don't want..." "That's OK boss - the guy is Joubert - South African. He's not gonna care much anyway."
"Sorted. Let's eat."

Cut to the NZ team meeting - Graham Henry is briefing his men...
"Right boys, we gotta take this one easy - not too many tries and give the crowd their money's worth. Let the oppo tackle a bit and run around. Sure, score a few but make it look as though you're screwing up under tackling pressure. The ref has told me that to make it fair, he's going upstairs for any try we score within five metres of the touchline, so Douggie, you're bound to get a chance - just make sure you get under the posts...you have been warned."
"Oh - one last thing - we gotta do haka number 3b in the songbook - gotta make it a bit... er Scottish looking - bit poncey - that sort of thing, not too much of the old eyeball stuff this time - got it?"

And so it came to pass that Scotland were defeated by forty points. Which is not bad under the circumstances - at least the teams do not need to swap jerseys (- a shambolic decision on someone's part). Highlights included watching Nick Evans the replacement back for the All Greys - lovely running skills; and someone (Masoe?) putting in a big hit on poor Craig Smith - the big hairy potato I mean prop got picked up and shovelled back towards his try line as he 'accelerated' from the Scot's '22' with ball in hand.
Apart from France, it seems that all the next pool matches for the six nation's sides are 'knockout' games - is that true?
Woe.
Have a lovely evening and a nice break from the rugby tomorrow.

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Fiji Tings...Sunday Matches

Look forward to a good match this afternoon when Australia look to outplay Fiji in Montpellier. Could be a bit miserable if you have clicked on the link and seen the weather, but Nice Nigel is refereeing today so there will be a good feel to the game. (Famous last words..!)
(Now, the above words may seem a bit 'ooo er missus' if you read the link to Nigel Owens but I assure readers that I knew nothing about his background when composing the words! When I said 'famous last words', I meant that, knowing my predictions, he could be officiating at a mass punch up...) A good ref and a good ref.
Anyway, Scotland's second team get a crack at the All Blacks too - at Murrayfield, where we, the TV viewers, hope not to see blue plastic seats galore but whiskey galore! Tries galore! Rugby galore! South African referee alors! Actually, Scotland could deal out a bit of power in the forwards if all goes to plan, and it will be interesting to see if New Zealand need to call for extras - as South Africa did yesterday. I watched their game develop and, after going out and coming back to the TV screen, I saw Habana, Big Percy, VapourVic, Francois Steyn and Smit on the pitch? All change! - and they were on their knees at the end too. Let's hope Scotland force the pace like Tonga did - thistle liven up proceedings!

Whistle Stop Tour...

Just watched most of the Argentina v Namibia game and I found Stuart Dickinson to be very dour - in contrast to Wayne Barnes'  handling of South Africa  v  Tonga. What is Stuart's problem - if any? (Apart that he is a self-centred prig...).
Of course, in Wayne's World there is hardly any laughing and finding humour in the game - as Tony Spreadbury likes to play it but, equally, not stern or arrogant like others seem to be...Other notable performances: Chris White did well in the France v Ireland contest, Nigel Owens has been able to let his games flow with minimal interference. Wayne Barnes particularly, is not a massive chit-chat sort of referee - he seems to get his decisions explained and sorted using concise language. No messing. Anyone got a beef with the refs - got a favourite? Let us know, below...blow the whistle on the bad, praise the good!

Great Game!

Tonga!Tonga!TONGA!Tonga!Tonga!TONGA!Tonga!Tonga! Tonga!Tonga!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TO TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!

Great game -well played! Roll on England!
 

Boom Bang-a-bang...

1966 The World Cup at soccer, 1969 The World Cup at singing  and 2003, The World Cup at Rugby.
Fast forward to 2007 and the latest challenge for England's finest...staying in the tournament.
Let us hope for a good contest eh?

The Croke 'chicken' - how the bird flew!

Just a word for Vincent Clerc - scorer of two tries that buried Ireland. He is the bain of the Ireland team, denying them a home victory in the six nations and now, thanks to all the girl's favourite non-caveman, Frederick Michalak, he got another. Of course, that's the glamour: the blast came from the France back row, with Bonnaire being periscoped to win line out ball as required. The Irish forwards seemed ponderous, no, just sluggish in comparison. Argentina will be going out with all guns blazing this evening, looking for a bonus point against the abrasive Namibians. Should be interesting for a while as the Argentine boys also 'do' abrasive! England? More words, more stepping up to the plate etc - where is all this going to end and rugby entertainment begin? Doesn't ultimately matter if it is a win or a loss I suppose, but at least be beaten whilst competing, not just lose the plot again...England expects. Meanwhile, in the Samoa team hotel, the players are recovering from an all-night party, having spent the day at the races...they're tucking into piles of crepes, Nutella sandwiches, sausages etc etc - such is the threat of England in full roar! Finally, a look at something interesting; you hear it everywhere,from coaches, rugbymen, even some soccer players who can pair off their brain cells, everyone is supposed to head in that direction...it's the plate!

Un Mot Juste...

BAM! Ireland without form, fitness and invention. Well played France.

O'Straw poll - 15 minutes before kick-off...

In a straw poll taken by moi just now. I have final scores of    26 - 15 , 26 - 7, and 32 - 28...all in favour of a French win. Our Hanlon brothers, skiving...er supporting Ireland at the Stade think the results will be Patrick: 100 - 0 to Ireland (he's piss*d) - and Tyrone is not answering. ( give him time...). Meanwhile, a portrait to remind you of friends in foreign parts: