Toulouse : end of my World Cup

Sorry again : it's a personal message!
This weekend was my last World Cup match for this year! I met Camelia on Friday night and just before we left the Bodega where we watched Wilko winning (come'on Jonny!!! and Go monsieur Joubert :P... oups!), a big guy came in : it was a Roumanian player (he arrived at 11pm -just as we left- but was in the first 15 the following day!) and agreed to take a picture with my dad.My Richie Girls special award goes to miss Helen (from Auckland) and mister Peter (from Queenstown) : they were really nice to me during this world cup and I do hope they won't be far from the Richie Girls during our 2011 NZ Tour!

A bientot ;)

*About the blog (my blog), I'll tell you when my diary is updated...don't worry!

*About the blog (Baby Richie), I'm so sorry about the delay. If I have missed a big news, please tell me. I'm also sorry about the pics -I'm sure you could all have access to some of them.

Thanks to all the RGs who have been really good assistants, chatting in the chatterbox and welcoming the newbies -Merci beaucoup!

One last word : yes, I am French, but I found it totally unfair to sing La Marseillaise and Allez les Bleus when the All Blacks were waving at the audience after the match on Saturday.

Next week, I will be watching the match and be at 1000% in favor of ... good rugby! I wanted this match as a final so that whoever wins, I'd happy ; now that it's "just" a quarter-final, it's not that I care less but I know that both teams are able to perform their best and their worst so : let's just praise rugby and the rugby gods will do the rest...

Catch you soon somewhere on the cyber-world, bisous to everyone,

MaryL

marykoala@hotmail.fr

Saturday's match vs. Romania -the team!

I have just copied the names on ABs.com ;)

It will be my last 2007 World Cup match...will miss it a lot but I had a great time. Monday is back to uni. and back here with the crazy RGs on Bebo or on the chatterbox!!!

Enjoy the match from wherever you are on the globe :P

MaryL.
(this pic of the RGs together was taken @ Murrayfield stadium on Sunday coz you were always there with me!)

Backs :

Andy Ellis ; Dan Carter ; Sitiveni Sivivatu ; Aaron Mauger ; Isaia Toeava ; Josevata Rokocoko ; Nick Evans

Packs :
Neemia Tialata ; Keven Mealamu ; Greg Somerville ; Reuben Thorne ; Keith Robinson ; Jerry Collins (C); Chris Masoe ; Sione Lauaki

'Bench' (sorry!):

Andrew Hore ; Tony Woodcock ; Chris Jack ; Richie McCaw -before the match in Edinburgh ; Brendon Leonard ; Luke McAlister ; Conrad Smith

Girly stuffs -tell us about your thoughts!

http://yahooxtra.net.nz/sport/0,,14606-7918128,00.html

The girls' guide to the Rugby World Cup
21/09/2007 04:52 PM
Yahoo!Xtra / Anna Higgins / Kelly Bree

The Sexy Sports Stars panel has pored over hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of photos of rugby players in order to find you the 10 sexiest physical specimens at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

It was difficult and sometimes arduous work, but bringing you this selection of eye candy was an opportunity we felt had to be done.

Bismarck de Plessis

The strapping six-foot-two and a half hooker is one man you wouldn't mind getting a good grip on as the scrum packs down.

The man with a name like a German battleship made his debut for South Africa earlier this year, and made an impact on the ladies of the Tri-Nations nations when he came on to replace captain John Smit.

Clement Poitrenaud

France's fullback is playing in his second World Cup and wears his nation's tight jersey with pride.

Twenty-five-year old Poitrenaud is light footed on the field and scrubs up well when he comes off, with the swarthy looks and French finesse which makes the ladies go wild.

Sacre bleu!

Dan Carter

The All Blacks first five would be a shoe in to make a rugby World XV, and a fierce competitor off the field for the title of 'hottest rugby player around'.

Homegrown in the small Canterbury town of Leeston, Carter boasts a swag of test match points, a deadly accurate boot, and the all round good looks which make the girls swoon and win the approval of Mums all round the country.

As fetching with the All Blacks jersey on as off, underwear company Jockey has used his ripped body to great effect in advertising campaigns, taking undies to the masses.

Frederic Michalak

The undisputed pretty boy of a pretty side, Frederic Michalak was a French hero of the 2003 World Cup and, at the still tender age of 24, has proven a heart throb for the French ladies and the fellas alike.

The David Beckham of rugby union has modelled for the likes of Nike and keeps his fan base on edge with an ever changing hairstyle.

This first five fills out the form-fitting French jersey excellently, and luckily for the interested among us has a very European attitude towards clothing - and the shedding thereof. More than once our Fred has posed in the buff, bar the odd rugby ball, and sports a sizeable tattoo on his right butt cheek. Further inspection may be needed by this writer, purely for artistic reasons of course.

Gonzalo Tiesi

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, the city where people grow up gorgeous, this side of Argentinian beef puts his swarthy good looks and strapping thighs to use in the centres for club team London Irish.

Juan Martin Hernandez

Argentina won't exactly be holding up the Webb Ellis triumphantly any time soon, but they get some serious pool points for having one of the hottest rugby players in history - Juan Martin Hernandez. This 25-year-old is one spunky utility back who is 90 kgs of ridiculously fit South American muscle.

Aside from the fact that we're a little worried he knows how hot he is, we love Hernandez. He's like the Dan Carter of Argentina, except his modeling involves very little clothing. We'll actually - none. Hernandez loves to get his kit off for model shoots and calendars and there's a mucho revealing video of the man on You Tube. Check it out - his sizzling good looks have to be seen to be believed.

Marco Bortolami

Where would any Top Ten list be without a smokin' Italian stallion? Well it wasn't hard to find one - the whole team's on the warmer side of the temperature scale. But for this purpose we're going with the cute situation that is the team's captain, Marco Bortolami. This gorgeous 27-year-old became the country's youngest ever rugby captain in 2002 and he wears the Italian jersey with pride.

Bortolami is tall (196cm) and stocky (111 kg) with classic Italian features and he's got some serious earning power with Ferrari already offering him a job as their mechanic when he finishes his rugby career. There's nothing hotter than a good looking man in a fast car. Check out Bortolami if Western Europeans do it for you - he's cute to boot!

Richie McCaw

Speaking of cute captains, we're pretty sure it's committing an act of treason to leave Richie McCaw off a list of hot rugby players - but luckily we also find the man completely stunning. And although we've never met the guy, we've gotta say he comes across as a really humble, gentle giant who has no idea how his lovely looks can take a girl's breath away.

McCaw is everything that is good about your classic Kiwi bloke. The 26-year-old was born in the small South Island town of Oamaru and while his looks speak for themselves, it's his personality which shines through. Richie is mature, level-headed and a born leader, which we find quite sexy. The only drawback is his modesty, which will probably ensure we never get to see McCaw in his birthday suit, Juan Hernandez style. Sniff.

Sean and Rory Lamont

When you're watching the ABs take on Scotland this weekend, don't be confused by the two fabulously gorgeous players who look seriously similar. They are the dashing duo of Sean and Rory Lamont, two blonde (in a bottle) Scottish rugby players who are almost too good to be true.

Spunky brothers Sean and Rory give fellow Goldilocks Jonny Wilkinson a run for his money when it comes to hot Brits. Sean is 26 years old and Rory is 24, but you could take them for twins. Sean is also a bit of a pin-up player, posing starkers for the famous French Dieux du Stade nudey calendar, which has apparently coined the term sporno, where sport meets porn. The mind boggles!

So if your idea of a Scottish man hails from stereotypes of freckly gingers with arms the size of broomsticks, check out the Lamont brothers. We're fairly certain this terrific twosome will make you think twice about the Scottish side.

Luke McAlister

And it's with great sadness that we discuss the next hot All Black on the list, Luke McAlister, who is leaving New Zealand shortly after the World Cup to up the hotness stakes at British club Sale (which already boasts the above hottie, Rory Lamont).

We're losing Luke, but he'll always be one of the hottest All Blacks to ever don the black jersey and we won't forget him. We first ogled the 24-year-old's enormous thighs before realising he's hot all over. McAlister has a mesmerising smile and super-fit body and he's - well - just the full, fantastic package really.

For lots of ladies who are less than interested in who nabs the Webb Ellis trophy, the World Cup may be the last chance to have a good perve at McAlister as an All Black. So make the most of it girls!

-> yep! I vote Richie (since I am a Richie Girl!) but the others are OK -saw Sean Lamont yesterday (and yep, he deserves his rank here too -and so does Juan Martin Hernandez... but there are way too many players that can be listed here!)
Richie Girls and other (female) readers, who would you have voted for????

Let's hope ABs only bomb in holiday swimming pools (23.09)

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/rugbyheaven/4211980a22459.html

By MICHAEL DONALDSON - Sunday Star Times
Sunday, 23 September 2007

If I was in Edinburgh I'd be trying to sneak in a couple of quiet words with Graham Henry, who seems to have teleported himself to another time and place.

Instead of being the fiery- eyebrowed All Blacks coach, he's become a script-writer for an adaptation of an Enid Blyton book, where it's forever summer and the children get up to all sorts of mischievous games and pranks.

How else do you explain what's going on in the All Blacks' camp?

All this fun, fun, fun is hardly instilling any confidence in those of us left behind. From a distance it seems as if the French frolicking is hardly the preparation the All Blacks need in order to win the World Cup. Venerable scribes are of course contrasting all the pool parties with John Mitchell's "eat a lemon a day" approach at the previous World Cup. But has the pendulum swung too far? Have the lads forgotten what they're there for? Is it too much "Yellow Brick Road" and not enough "Highway to Hell". I can see it now. World Cup semifinal, Australia 23 New Zealand 15, five minutes left and the All Blacks have just knocked on, giving Australia an attacking scrum. At this point I can't tell you what will happen, but potentially Richie McCaw could say to Stirling Mortlock:

"Listen Stirling, how about we call off the rugby and play double or quits on our points total by having a kayak race?"

Mortlock: "What the @#$%^ are you talking about McCaw? That last tackle must have rocked your melon."

McCaw: "Nah, you don't understand. See, we haven't really trained for this but we're really good at kayaking and golf and games that involve throwing ropes and doing bombs in the hotel pool. So how about a bombing competition; you pick three of your best dive-bomb guys and we'll pick three of ours and Tony Spreadbury can be the judge . . . Or tiddlywinks, what about tiddlywinks, since Tana quit we've got really good at that . . ."

At this point George Gregan, as is his wont, comes across: "What's going on Stirlo? What are these jokers complaining about now."

McCaw: "You stay out of this George, it's between Stirling and myself. We're just trying to find an amicable solution to our current points crisis. Look, you guys have won two of these tournaments and we haven't won one since I was kid. it's not fair. Gawn, give us a break!"

Gregan; "Relax Richie."

McCaw: "Relax?! Don't tell me to relax. That's all I've been doing since we got here."

Gregan: "Oh well, back to the drawing board . . . still, look on the bright side, you've got four more years to get it right."

Not Paris, Oct 16, Reuters - All Blacks halfback Byron Kelleher has been banned from rugby for 12 months by a world cup judiciary after knocking out Australian halfback George Gregan during their semifinal in Paris last week.

Kelleher, who had been replaced by Brendon Leonard, rushed on to the field with five minutes to go and punched Gregan, who had to be stretchered from the ground.

Let's hope not.
-> I often say that we have different humours but I like this article... and anyway, Byron can do anything, as long as Bill goes back home with the guys, right???

Some TV videos

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/35317/Default.aspx?articleID=35317#video
Ready to rock the host-country, guys???

Please, Richie : don't lie -coz you can't lie!
If you haven't watched a match, just tell the guys you haven't!

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/35416/Default.aspx#video
The best ABs fan videos
I want my anthem too... The RGs definitely need their own song!

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/35414/Default.aspx?articleID=35414#video
$ 6m on the ABs defeat? woaw! and how much for a Portuguese victory next weekend?

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/35316/Default.aspx?articleID=35316#video
As we got closer to the match, there were more and more people in the streets, and more and more showing their colour (whether black or blue!) That was really fun!

One guy behind me said "64,OOO people but 40,000 kiwis" -and I'd agree with them -coz on Sunday, we met many people in green walking on the opposite way (the local football team played at 1pm local time)

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/35407/Default.aspx?articleID=35407#video
Didn't know about this alcohol restriction up there... Good to watch NZ tv to get the news!
Come on guys, you didn't get your beer was alcohol free!
And no, it has nothing to do with wine in France, just with people's behaviour when they have had too much alcohol!

Misc photos of today!

Waiting for my diary update and Beth's pics, here are some photos taken today!
*everybody was here -spanish and swedish guys!

*hey guys (told you you'd be here!!! kiwis, kenyans and a Austrian now living in NYC). By the way, they are ready to take care of the Richie Girls... The message is on its way :P
*Ally Hogg (or mini Bobby for the RGs) who didn't play tonight *and finally (taken by Mary's dad -merci papa!!!) : Richie! Andy waved at the poster and Kev' thumbed up at my dad's jersey... It had to be written down somewhere....Awesome match guys!

Note : our international RGs meeting took place without the English-girls : Where were you??????

Waiting for Beth's pics when she is back home ; g'night everyone-tomorrow's plane is at 7am!!!!

MaryL.

RGs fashion award of the day

Sian (my French assistant -if not my brain lately!) suggested today's RGs fashion award should got to Finau Maka, from Tonga -since he was elected man of the match against South Africa and our chouchou Ruan Pienaar (and Lissie & Camelia's chouchou : Bobby)
Congratulations to Finau Maka then -and to Ruan for his 2 tries!

Richie, you already scored you two tries in a match (against Italy), but we don't forbid you not to score two others tomorrow :P
Anyway, even if you don't get the RGs fashion award, you always have the RGs hearts to you (and that's what matters!!!)

Maka after the match against South Africa.
Richie and Greg Somerville, arriving in Edinburgh on Thursday.

Lesser lights could provide tougher test

http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=6961

Scotland's side to meet the All Blacks on Sunday (GMT) will probably provide the New Zealanders with a tougher test than the full-strength Scottish side.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry made the point that the full strength Scotland side was probably deserving of a breather, and if they had to play again they probably wouldn't be as sharp as the side chosen would be.

"It is a good Scottish side and they have played a lot of international rugby. Some of them haven't played a lot in this tournament and they'll be on edge to show the selectors they are worth selection for later rounds," he said.

"I think it will be a good challenge for us, we think it's going to be a hard game and we're looking forward to it."

Henry complimented the development of depth that has occurred in Scottish rugby and for most of the side to meet the All Blacks, there would be memories of having played in the last match between the two teams in 2005.

"I think some of the other sides in Europe would like to have that sort of depth," he said.

For New Zealand nothing was changing and the team would be looking to continue the policy of improving game by game.

"We are trying to make sure we give the 30 players as much game time as possible so everybody is in consideration for selection for the quarter-final," Henry said.

"I think it's important we keep within that policy to make sure they are all on edge and enjoying their rugby and all challenging for positions. I think we are achieving that and I think this game tomorrow will be harder than those before."

Captain Richie McCaw said: "I can't speak for the Scottish but from our point of view it's a Test match we've got to prepare well for, and we have done, and we have got to go out and play some good rugby.

"A few of us have played here before and know it's not an easy place to play regardless of what outcomes are. I know the two times I have played here it has always been a pretty tough Test match so we are expecting that tomorrow."

The Scottish would get stuck in and it was important the All Blacks came off the track having performed better than it had in its two earlier games.

"The intensity has gone up a bit this week and hopefully the same thing happens on the track," he said.

Don't catch a cold over here, guys! you still have 4 weeks ahead!

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/35243/Default.aspx#video
James Gemmell joins the All Blacks as they head north to the historic city Edinburgh, exploring the city which is home to one of the greatest stadiums in world rugby.

** One of the Lamonts' bros**

**Arthur's siege in the sun**

**Richie & Lote Tuqiri's ad at some Australian bar/restaurant**

**Don't think the guys will go to the beach this weekend so I devoted myself for them**

**Leith's former docks**

-> These are personal pics. You can check my blog & my Bebo for more ;)
http://marylanceron.blogspot.com
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=2539001493

McCaw: I'm staying in New Zealand

http://rugbyheaven.co.nz/4207313a22363.html

By JIM KAYES in Aix-en-Provence

RugbyHeaven

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says he will be playing in New Zealand next year and expects to re-sign with the New Zealand Union soon.

"Hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will be sorted out," McCaw said yesterday of his contract negotiations with the NZRU.
"Ideally it would have been done before now but I have people back home to keep an eye on that."

He has just three weeks to meet the October 12 deadline for all players to re-sign with the NZRU.

There had been speculation McCaw could follow World Cup teammates Chris Jack (Saracens), Byron Kelleher (Toulouse), Aaron Mauger (Leicester), Carl Hayman (Newcastle), Anton Oliver (Toulon), Doug Howlett (Munster) and Luke McAlister (Sale) to Europe.

McCaw said yesterday his immediate future lay in New Zealand but it is believed he will sign for no more than two years.
McCaw will captain the All Blacks in their third World Cup match in France, against Scotland in Edinburgh on Monday.

-> I love the comment under the pic : "DON'T MESS WITH ME: Richie McCaw's loyalty to New Zealand shouldn't be questioned."
Of course he won't leave! and honestly, I love it when people just confirm what I say :P so thanks a lot Richie!

McCaw calls for more from NZ scrum

http://rugbyheaven.co.nz/4207419a22363.html

By JIM KAYES in Aix-en-Provence -
Fairfax Media
Wednesday, 19 September 2007

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw says the team to play Scotland will be "fairly close" to New Zealand's top side and he's putting the heat on the scrum to front up at Murrayfield.


The side will be revealed tonight (NZ time) with only Keith Robinson and Mils Muliaina unavailable as they both nurse leg injuries.

McCaw said the rotation policy of recent years had made defining the No 1 choices more difficult but he clearly expected the All Blacks to field their top side in a match that will be their toughest pool fixture ahead of the playoffs.

"It's been the case for a few years that there are quite a few positions in the team that are a flip of a coin who plays," said McCaw.

"Depending on who you are playing and where everyone is at will determine who plays.

"I'm picking this week will be fairly close to it, but a few injuries here and there may change things as we go on.

"We have a squad of 30 where any one can take the track and we have confidence in them."

There was a noticeable lift in the intensity and physicality in the All Blacks training in front of about 3000 spectators at Stade Carcassone yesterday.

The scrum session which included the players closing their eyes and not speaking as they pushed was prolonged as the All Blacks looked to iron out a few kinks.

"In this week we've got to take another step up. It's going to be a tougher challenge.

"The scrum side of things we've haven't been totally happy with and sometime you're strengths you forget about because you're working on other things.

"We just decided we needed to put more time into that."

McCaw was not worried about who plays for Scotland and was confident the All Blacks would get a decent match on Monday.

"These guys will still be playing for Scotland and they will be wanting to prove themselves to play as the tournament goes on.

"It's going to be a hard game for us."

Richie says it's time to step up

http://rugbyheaven.co.nz/4207353a22363.html

Reuters
Wednesday, 19 September 2007

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is demanding his side "steps up" a peg or two and expects the All Blacks to be given a tough test by Scotland even if their opponents put out a second-string side in Sunday's match at Murrayfield.

"I think we'll get a good workout regardless," McCaw told reporters.

"These guys are still playing for Scotland and they will all want to prove themselves to play as the tournament goes on. So I think it will be a hard game for us.

"I think the Scots are going to be a good challenge, they always are at home."

The openside flanker, who expected coach Graham Henry to select a near-full strength side for Sunday's match, said they would be looking to improve on their performance in their opening two matches against Italy and Portugal.

"The coaching staff and senior players have had a talk that this week is pretty important and we have to take a step up. The Scots are going to be a good challenge and we'll find exactly where we're at after this game.

"It has added a bit of excitement to the week. Everyone realised that it is going to be a tougher challenge and that we've got to do it right and because of that everyone has a bit more of an edge. It's good."

There has been talk that the Scots may field a weakened side to rest players ahead of their key game against Italy on September 29.

At the halfway point in the pool stage, McCaw said the team morale could hardly be better.

"I think we are really happy with where we are at. The big thing we said we wanted to do was make sure we enjoy the experience of being at the World Cup, work hard in training and enjoy what we're doing. I think up until now we've done that pretty well."

Second row Ali Williams said he expected the Scotland match to bring out the best from the All Blacks.

"Personally I can't wait for it. Better teams demand more of you but this is one of those sides that the better the side we play against the more our strengths come out."

Sunday's game will give winger Doug Howlett a chance to set a new All Black try-scoring record after he equalled Christian Cullen's record of 46 test tries with his hat-trick in the 76-14 win against Italy.

"It would be great to get it outright," he said. "It's not something I focus on but if it does come about I'll take it with open arms. It is an accomplishment. But the bigger picture is more important for me at the time being.

"I've played a few times against Scotland and I can't recall an easy game against them. They are quite tough to play and to throw into the mix it's at Murrayfield in front of their home crowd and it will add to a big occasion."

The team for Sunday match (local time) (copy from ABs.com)

Backs :
Byron Kelleher ; Dan Carter ; Sitiveni Sivivatu ; Luke McAlister ; Conrad Smith ; Doug Howlett ; Leon MacDonald

Forwards :
Tony Woodcock ; Anton Oliver ; Carl Hayman ; Reuben Thorne ; Ali Williams ; Chris Masoe ; Richie McCaw (C) ; Rodney So’oialo

Reserves :
Andrew Hore ; Neemia Tialata ; Chris Jack ; Sione Lauaki ; Brendon Leonard ;Nick Evans ; Isaia Toeava

TV3 News

Pictures from the "golf resting session" yesterday(local time)

****
RGs fashion award of the day (sorry, I'm late) : to Sione Lauaki and his hair-thingy (like his captain last week!)
Bonus point for his tatooes; of course ;)

*****
My comment on the interview :
- Honestly, I do hope the Kiwis will spice it up on Sunday ;)
- And yes, French people love rugby and especially the ABs ! It's not new news, Chris! Just join the RGs & you'll know it!

*****
Full interview with Richie McCaw
Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:40p.m.

The All Blacks are set to unveil their top team to take on Scotland tonight.

Listen to RadioLIVE’s sports editor Chris Forster interviewing All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
http://www.tv3.co.nz/AudioBrowseAll/SportsAudio/tabid/379/articleID/35038/Default.aspx#video
*****
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/35011/Default.aspx

The All Blacks benefit from some R and R
Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:52a.m.

The TV3 team talk about the importance of ‘rest and recreation’ days during the World Cup.
The All Blacks are in Aix en Provence as they prepare for Monday’s match against Scotland.
Also hear which three people each All Black would most like to have dinner with!

Balance the key - McCaw

If balance counts for anything then the All Blacks are confident they have the formula right to win the Rugby World Cup.

Having a rare day off on Monday at their base in the less frenetic and aesthetically outstanding Aix en Provence was the forerunner to a Tuesday training session which hinted at the real work starting in earnest in this campaign.

Italy was a chance to demonstrate the waiting was over and the Cup was here, while Portugal was an occasion to celebrate the arrival of rugby's newest World Cup participant in a game that was like one of those old-fashioned pre-season festival games which used to litter that start of New Zealand's rugby season.

But now, the sights are firmly set on one of rugby's original partners in the empirical game, Scotland.

No-one quite knows yet whether Scotland will field it's A or B team, that will depend on how it fares against Romania on Tuesday, but in reality New Zealand is in no position to complain after fielding different sides regularly during their last two northern hemisphere tours.

Not that anyone is complaining. Quite rightly, the All Blacks are taking the view that this is another Test.

That's why there was extra emphasis put on the scrum at training. It has been a strength for the side but with other matters to be attended to, it had been put on the back burner. Time away from it for six weeks, and some dissatisfaction with how it felt resulted in more attention being paid at training.

Captain Richie McCaw set the trend on the approach to Sunday when saying: "These guys are still playing for Scotland.

"They'll all be wanting to prove themselves as the tournament goes on.

"I think it is going to be a hard game for us and from our point of view you don't look too much at that. It's still Scotland you're playing and we've just got to make sure we do it right."

Without the hard hit out that other rivals have nearly all experienced in their pools, the All Blacks are looking at the game for an assessment of their readiness for the knockout stages.

"We're really happy with where we're at but we will know a little more after this week," McCaw said.

But again that balance remains a factor. That includes absorbing the atmosphere and actually appreciating what the Rugby World Cup is all about.

"The big thing is before we came over here we said, 'make sure you enjoy the experience of being in a World Cup and being in France. Work hard while we're training and playing but enjoy what we're doing here' and I think up until now we've done that pretty well." He said.

"I think we've got the balance right between enjoying ourselves and doing the business. So as long as that carries on we'll be going ok."

He described the fun element that has been apparent for the New Zealanders who have gone out of their way to mix with locals and to get away from the 'unsmiling giants' label that has been a burden in the past.

"Having fun is a key, without a doubt," he said.

"That's why you play the game, that's why you're involved with rugby because it's a lot of fun and if it stops being that you are going to want to stop going out and training hard and playing well. I think it all goes hand in hand.

"I think the buzz with the World Cup that is floating around is great and the way we've been welcomed to places has sort of blown me away a wee bit, so it's been great," he said.

France just a blip on McCaw's radar

A quarterfinal against France is firmly on the All Blacks' World Cup flight path but captain Richie McCaw says the prospect is one he won't even consider for another two weeks.

Ireland's miserable form so far in the "group of death" -- pool D -- points to them missing out on the quarterfinals unless they can restore their mojo in a huge way for remaining games against France and Argentina.

Dreadfully inadequate in beating lightweights Namibia (32-17) and Georgia (14-10), Ireland will struggle to quell an improving France in their hugely anticipated match at Paris on Saturday morning (NZ time).

If Ireland were to prevail, the hosts would be eliminated, and it would result in Argentina and Ireland battling it out for first and second a week later.

However, a French victory would see Les Bleus probably finish second in the pool. That would mean a trip to Cardiff and a likely quarterfinal against short-priced pool C favourites New Zealand.

The only thing to prevent that tumultuous scenario -- the hosts against the tournament hot-shots on neutral soil -- would be if Ireland transformed in their final pool game and beat Argentina in Paris on September 30 while scoring four tries for a bonus point.

McCaw confessed surprise at Ireland's lacklustre form but the question line today was more about how the resurgent French were shaping up two weeks out from the quarterfinals.

France's drab 12-17 loss to Argentina in the tournament opener was followed by a rollicking 87-10 defeat of Namibia which left some media outlets here close to raptures.

McCaw said France had clearly reviewed their playing style, which now made them dangerous foes.

"I don't think the French are too far off," he said.

"Against Namibia they showed they're prepared to use the ball. They're still going to be a threat at this tournament.

"They got lured into playing a different sort of game against the Argentinians so you can't read too much into that."

It would be all hands to the pump if France emerged as quarterfinal opposition, McCaw said.

"If that happened, we'd just get on with it," he said.

"All those three games are going to be important and tough, no matter what. You've got to win them all."

McCaw said any games he watched live on television were from the point of view of a spectator, such as the "interesting" tournament opener.

The analysis of opponents would only begin when the playoff draw was confirmed.

"In terms of watching games because of who we might play, you wait until the week you're going to play them and watch what you need to watch, rather than the whole game," he said.

scottish updqte

1st sorry abt the spelling, i am not used to qwerty board -haven t found adaptors yet. will update my diary as soon as possible.

today s personal messages :

*beth sorry abt today, haven t had access to internet till now 10.20pm local time.
*beth,jo, alice : official shop on sunday -ok?

* Sian : the football match the other day : couldn t stay till the end. so don t know the official score. when i left it was 1/0 for nz - I m pretty sure andy scored or he had made the decisvive pass.

*to the one who sent the bed pics ( I think our local spy... Izzy, you are too good ; if it s sb else -sorry) : I have a spare pillow too... -sorry Richie, jet lag has a huge impact on my brain.

*tonight,s match was really different than the others...people are patriotic (that s true) but there is no real cheering in the stands. i hope it will be better on sunday...
Personnal statisfaction : Mister joubert is a hottie. & scotland 7 (yep, their "Richie") definitely looks like mister Bobby to me...no matter what Lissie & Yeels say.

While I,m away from the Internet world :

*thanks for keeping chatting in the chatterbox -I couldn,t read everything but I saw it was still alive. THANKS A LOT.

*would you mind telling us (me) about your world cup experience -either here as a comment or in an email to -that I will publish only God knows when.

marykoala@hotmail.fr

BISOUS TO EVERYONE. ENJOY SUNDAY S MATCH....
MaryL.

Once upon a time....

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4203099a22363.html

Mentors leave their mark on stars: Richie McCaw

The Press Saturday, 15 September 2007

New Zealand rugby fans are indebted to Brian "Barney" McCone, while opponents might curse the man who taught Richie McCaw how to tackle.

The All Blacks captain has never made a secret of his admiration for the Kurow Rugby Club stalwart who took little Richard under his wing with 11 other farm kids from around the North Otago valleys.
Two long years young McCaw and his team-mates were drilled by McCone before they were even allowed to play their first real match.
"We'd just tackle one week, pass the next, punting the next and kicking the goals. Richard was a mean kicker, believe it or not. I wonder whether he ever bothers these days," said the 60-year-old, who turned tackling into a science, earning the gratitude of every All Black fan in the country.
"Barney was determined to get these youngsters into good habits right from the start," McCaw once told a reporter. "He started off with kids having to kneel down with one of the team member tackling them. Barney showed the tackler where his head should be and how to position his body."
The result was a well-drilled machine of Kurow kids who only lost two matches in five years. "They could cope with drills that our senior team was struggling with."
In the under-13 competition in 1993, young McCaw scored a whopping 17 tries and two conversions.
McCaw and Robbie McIlraith made the New Zealand under-19 team and "most of the boys all ended up in their first XVs at Kings, Otago Boys and Waitaki when they went to secondary school."
The Kurow mentor takes great pride watching his pupil leading out the All Blacks, especially when he sees his old drills pay off when McCaw gets to his feet as fast as humanly possible.
Otherwise, he admits, McCaw's strengths are down to pure talent and personal drive. "He was keen as mustard, quick to learn and so much quicker to react than everyone else. If the ball was on the ground, no-one would get there before him. That was all natural. He played very hard, but never took anything for granted."
McCone could not confirm the rural myth that McCaw used to tackle sheep, "but he grew up on a farm, so it wouldn't surprise me. He'd tackle anything." –Coen Lammers

The match : NZ vs. Portugal.

I haven't published my diary yet, but there's not much to say about it (the Portuguese did a really great job! and they totally deserved their soccer victory :P) You'll know more in my upcoming posts in my blog later on...

The pictures of this article are mine -not getty's.

ABs training, the captain's interview (filmed during the Captains' meeting in Paris) and the football match.

*****

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/Default.aspx

All Blacks beat Portugal in Lyon

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 05:35p.m.

The All Blacks had another big win at the Rugby World Cup. They beat minnows Portugal 108 – 13 in Lyon in front of another sell out crowd, in a city not known as a "rugby" supporter’s town.

Match Chat: Jerry Collins

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 06:16p.m.

Andrew Mehrtens chats to All Black captain Jerry Collins about Saturday’s romp over Portugal.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/34852/Default.aspx?articleID=34852#video

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/NationalVideo/tabid/309/articleID/34842/Default.aspx?articleID=34842#video

Trip of a lifetime turns into nightmare

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 05:28p.m.

A Tauranga family's World Cup trip of a lifetime is in tatters after falling victim to an online scam. They family paid $11,000 to hire a campervan so they could follow the All Blacks, but they were duped. And now all their match tickets and money have been stolen as well.

-> I'll be thinking about you during the next matches ; on behalf of my country people, I just want to say 'Sorry'... there are dishonnest people everywhere!

Rugby: Brooke Howard-Smith checks out the Stade de Gerland

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:42p.m.

Presenter Brooke Howard-Smith takes a look around the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, the venue for today’s All Black clash against Portugal.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/34816/Default.aspx?articleID=34816#video

McCaw yet to sign as Europe beckons

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4203424a1823.html

By JOHN MATHESON - Sunday News

Sunday, 16 September 2007

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw continues to baulk at re-signing for the NZRU.

Sunday News revealed today that McCaw - whose contract runs out at the conclusion of the World Cup - ignored pleas from rugby bosses to sign his new deal before jetting off to France.
McCaw has said numerous times that he wants to remain in New Zealand.
But the billionaire owners of French clubs are desperate lure the All Blacks captain to Europe.
A NZRU source told Sunday News the union want McCaw to sign on until the end of the 2011 tournament.
But McCaw - who needs to sign his contract before October 12 - only wants to commit to a one or two year deal.
The source confirmed McCaw would earn at least 10 per cent more a season by signing the longer term deal.
But the world's best openside flanker - who earns a cool $1 million a year by combining his All Blacks salary with his numerous endorsement deals - wants to see out his career in Europe after the 2008 or 2009 seasons.
With Europe's top clubs boasting full rosters for the 2007-08 club season it makes sense for McCaw to put off his desire to play in Europe by at least 12 months.
He would then be openly available and a bidding war would ensue.
But it's possible he could spurn the NZRU shorter term deals and re-emerge in England, France or Italy as early as November alongide team mates Chris Jack (Saracens), Byron Kelleher (Toulouse), Aaron Mauger (Leicester), Carl Hayman (Newcastle), Anton Oliver (Toulon), Doug Howlett (Munster) and Luke McAlister (Sale).
Last night NZRU deputy CEO confirmed McCaw has not put pen to paper - despite only having 26 more days before deadline day.
"We have been in discussion with Richie and his people for some time," said Tew.
"Those discussions have been very positive.
"All parties are aware of the deadline and, as is our practice, its not appropriate to make any further comment until we have reached a conclusion."
Sunday News has been told the top brass at the NZRU have been frustrated by McCaw's reluctance to re-sign.
Tew told unday News in March that the NZRU wanted all of the All Blacks to have signed their contract extensions prior to leaving for the World Cup.
Said Tew: "We're of course conscious it wouldn't be ideal to have All Blacks away in France still undecided."
McCaw's lawyer Warren Alcock wouldn't return calls last night while his European based representative, Bart Campbell offered a stern "no comment" to our enquiries about his charge's future.

I think that right now, the captain has other things in mind that signing his contract with the NZRU...and by other things, you all got what I meant! Anyway, being European, I wouldn't be disappointed if Richie chose to play on the Old Continent before the 2011 World Cup...

It's always about blondies...

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/34716/Default.aspx?articleID=34716#video

Who would the All Blacks have to dinner?

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:54a.m.

Find out which three people the All Blacks would have to dinner if they could invite anyone in the world.

Before the match against Portugal.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/34671/Default.aspx

Rugby: All Blacks prepare for Saturday

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:23p.m.

The All Blacks are on their way to Lyon for Saturday’s clash with Portugal.

While the match is a formality, it is still a big occasion for a couple of All Black stalwarts, the acid is really on the injury prone Conrad Smith, and stand in skipper Jerry Collins.

*****

Portugal to All Blacks: Don't go easy

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 05:53p.m.

The Portuguese have rejected Graham Henry's kind offer to go a bit easy on them. The teams meet on Sunday morning, and the minnows are adamant they want the All Blacks to throw everything at them. There are just 4000 rugby players in Portugal, and all but three of them are amateur. The underdogs will be well supported at this weekend's test - there is a large Portuguese population in France, and they are expected to outnumber All Black fans.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/34658/Default.aspx?articleID=34658#video

*****

"Dear diary,

Can you just tell my fans that my shoulder is getting better -since I can post my diary today.

Thanks for their support,

Richie.

ps : Happy Birthday to Rose, my first American fan! Thank for everything!"

I'm sorry, when I saw that pic, I couldn't think about something else than this message... And what if he were actually writing his diary...

How to kill a myth in 2 seconds!

******

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/RugbyWorldCupVideo/tabid/394/articleID/34678/Default.aspx?articleID=34678#video

Howard-Smith catches up with Kiwi fans in between games

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:24p.m.

Thousands of Kiwis are in France for the World Cup experience, but what do they do when there are no games on?
Brooke Howard-Smith travelled to the Mediterranean with a group of New Zealanders and got more than he bargained for.

*****

Today's fashion award goes to Jerry Collins for his nameless thing over the head during the kayaking race the other day.

The new captain has 2 RGs fashion awards for now -woaw!!!