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 19/9/07
Hang on in there folks - the cavalry may be
on the way. And God knows, we need it.
The rugby World Cup could come alive when
Samoa takes on England in the early hours of
Sunday. Please let it be so because it has
been tough going so far, although mercifully
not as tough as the last cricket World Cup.
The match in Nantes is a classic David
versus Goliath in terms of resources at
least, although one report from France
actually suggested Samoa now wields the
sword while England will be firing pebbles.
Amazing.
The first stage of the 2007 World Cup has
required spectators to dig deep when faced
with a series of lopsided and uninspiring
matches, but it has to be said that we have
been well prepared for this dross.
Four years of watching half-baked test sides
playing footsie with each other has set us
up perfectly for the big event. As the adage
goes in rock music, make sure the warm-up
bands aren't too hot so the main act doesn't
suffer by comparison.
So, in the name of hanging on for the good
times, it seemed appropriate to dig deep and
unearth a few World Cup highlights so far.
Georgia v Ireland
A ripping game and the tournament would be
in great shape with a few more of these. It
was a disappointment in one respect of
course, because a Georgian victory here
would have been mana from heaven for those
seeking something out of the ordinary.
Instead, this game will fade compared with,
say, the Samoan humbling of Wales in 1991. A
Georgian victory would have been an even
greater boilover compared with that 1991
result. Georgia were so close to causing one
of the biggest upsets in the history of
sport. The IRB were true to form, making
Georgia play the tough Argentinians just
four days before while Ireland had six days'
rest after facing the might of Namibia. But
the stodgy Georgians responded brilliantly
and the crowd went wild. I skipped this game
initially believing - stupidly - that even a
bad Irish team would cruise to victory. It
became required replay viewing of course but
a game like this is never as good when you
already know the outcome. Still, An absolute
classic - oh to have been at the ground in
Bordeaux. This was a rare occasion in which
an Irish sports team weren't the cute
underdogs and they didn't appear to relish
the role reversal. One problem however - it
provided an unexpected hiccup for those who
are, quite sensibly, promoting a reduction
in the number of World Cup teams so as to
create a shorter, more competitive
tournament. Georgia's moral victory
increases the chance that 20 teams will be
retained in New Zealand come 2011. Ouch!
Time will tell but as for now, note to self
- look at the match schedule with a more
discerning eye. For instance, Georgia versus
France looks more tempting than it once did.
Portugal's players sing national anthem
The Portuguese team sang with such
head-wrenching and vein-bursting gusto that
this was the first case in which
international sportsmen risked injury during
a national anthem. Medics could be seen
gathering on the sidelines in anticipation
of a dreadful toll. The haka versus the
Portuguese anthem was certainly a much
closer contest than many of us predicted and
in all honesty, the anthem looked more
frightening. If Portugal has an actual war
dance, then I for one am not brave enough to
watch it. Teams who sing horribly usually
mumble or even lip sync but not our
Portuguese friends. They belted it out, and
badly enough to sound like a man band in the
Eurovision song contest. But did they care?
Hell no. Portugal, the rugby team, played
rather well at times and pulled out a few
moves for an unexpected try. One can only
assume that this led to even more
over-vigorous singing in the showers.
England v Samoa and England v Tonga
These games always shaped as tantalising
clashes between the cashed-up and the
cash-strapped. They are now must-see
attractions. England's plodding version of
rugby not only deserves to be ripped apart
by at least one of these two teams, it
should also be chucked out of the tournament
before the quarter-finals. Fingers crossed,
but France versus Ireland on Saturday should
also be a ripper. The importance of the
clash and the presence of rival and
passionate supporters ensures a great
occasion. Warning: the rugby probably won't
be flash.
Eddie Jones
You've got to love the man who TV3's Hamish
McKay loves calling Jake White's new best
friend. The former Wallaby coach turned
Springbok technical adviser is a great story
waiting to happen should this tournament
become an Australia-South Africa showdown.
Jones' one fingered salute to convention is
a breath of fresh air in a staid rugby
world. Here's a thought - the straight
talking Jones would make a great TV
commentator. If he's not trying to bring
Australia to its knees at the 2011 World
Cup, the New Zealand rights-holder should
make a play for Eddie Jones. For now, the
sight of Eddie sitting in the stands next to
his new best friend Jake White adds spice to
a tournament that badly needs great dollops
of the stuff.
Tony Spreadbury
That really was a very good refereeing
performance in the opening match between
France and Argentina. If only rugby could
always be played with such accurate and
unobtrusive officiating. The Englishman has
won plaudits for his display at Stade de
France and rightly so. He did much more than
simply add to a stirring opener to the
tournament. Maybe there is hope for the old
game yet.
Bryan Habana
Every World Cup needs a dead-set superstar
and the South African wing is shaping as the
man most likely. What pace and balance. And
what a physique. Either Habana has been
locked in a gymnasium for a couple of years
or else he's still got a coathanger stuck in
his shirt. Bryan Habana looks like Superman
riding a greyhound. It's been a long time
since South Africa had a candidate as the
best wing in the game - if they ever did -
but they've certainly got one now. It makes
you wonder what other talent might be lying
dormant in their land.
Jerry Collins
The All Blacks deserve a mention because,
well, they are the All Blacks and this is
New Zealand. Collins has always been a
personal favourite because of the
uncomplicated way he plays, which is the
height of sophistication compared with the
way he talks. It's the lack of airs and
graces which are so appealing - Collins said
he was out to give Portugal a beating and
did his level best to do so.$ %@ yes. That's
all folks.
CHRIS RATTUE |
The NZ Herald | Wednesday, 19 September ,
2007 |
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