http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/all-blacks-revive-rugbys-joie-de-vivre-in-thrilling-whitewash-of-france-20091129-jyd2.html

Now how on earth could the ref, players and spectators not tell the difference. Remember that 07 WC game AB v Scotland with their new strip and the ABs in the grey. What a debacle that was. Black is black is black. More like mind games if you ask me. I remember seeing that AB v Scots game in the mud as a kid. Fair enough too, was it Eden Park or Athletic? But last Sat in Marselleis great conditions 20 20 vision… What a joke.

This puts it in perspective:
Deans and Henry have both lost exactly 12 games as coach of their teams.
For his 12 losses Henry has produced 65 wins.
For his 12 losses Deans has produced 15 wins.

Graham Henry’s stint as All Blacks coach is statistically the greatest stint any coach has had in International Rugby History. That does not happen by accident.

As for the Chris Rattue thing – he is the Stephen Jones of SH jounalism – he doesn’t know what he is talking about and only writes to provoke a response and sensationalise. If you want to read anything insightful about rugby, don’t read him.

To my OZ fellow bloggers especially the ones that started the debate on Rugby Heaven some months back DC v Gits. Have a read and watch the game and make yr own minds. He’s a freak!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10612474

One thing I was curious about why the hell is it that the AB’s have to wear white jumpers? Was this the first since the 07 WC that they changed their colours? Is it required by the home side? For the life of me how could anybody possibly not see the difference in a team in all black and one in white shorts, lighter shade of blue and red socks.

Can anybody shed some light on this? I’m sick of the AB’s being told to change their strip…

Till we meet again next year

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10612357

Does anyone really pay heed to what Chris Rattue writes? He’s controversial and sells papers and gets people talking but he flitters from one extreme to another in his opinions it’s hard not to dismiss him completely.

The way both teams tore into each other in that first half, it was as if it was a knockout World Cup match. Thrilling stuff, as for making it look easy Parisien I guess that is the domain of all great sporting performances – classy teams and individuals always make it look easy.

France have not always been an easy opponent for the All Blacks and I’m glad the team played well enough to take the referee out of the equation which is as it should be in a game between two class sides.

If it was possible I would award the entire team the man of the match award, particularly for their defence, two shuddering tackles by Sivivatu on Dusauttoir and Kieran Read on another player immediately afterwards left an indelible impression on the Frenchmen and me watching.

An excellent all round performance..

Well done ABs – this made the SH dominant for 2009.

Muliana’s try was my highlight of the game. That was awesome, awesome counter-attacking. His pass was wonderful, but to come back into the play and take the ball from Sivivatu was incredible too.

The weekend’s rugby was pretty entertaining I must say. Australia played well. New Zealand played better. The Ireland/South Africa game isn’t anything to ride home about, but it was an entertaining game at least.