What's happening
NZ - Italy

October 11 Match

WHAT'S HAPPENING? (posted 13th October 2003)
The All Bads er I mean Blacks took on Italy in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm local time. This match was never going to be close. The All Bads trotted out their best and finest for the occasion - I would expect that their agenda in doing so was to post a huge win and stamp their dominance on the tournament right from the outset. Yawn! Seriously though, the only psychological demons the Kiwis face are their own. Sadly no matter how big they talk it all up, when teams take it right up to them they crumple. The last few test matches I have seen them play have been the same as always. If there's no opposition around they play magnificently. Guess it must be just like in training being able to pass the run the ball all the way up the field with a clear go at it. However, if teams are in their faces and all over them they can't hack it and start playing like a bunch of girls. Bit sad really... not :))

I only watched this game until Italy FINALLY scored.. I couldn't stand it any longer. The kiwi commentators' prattle was enough to keep me regular for the next three months. Puhleeeeeze.

The 70-7 slaughter of the Italian side didn't come without a price for the Kiwis though. Tana Umaga, who is in my humble opinion, the fibre that holds together the All Bads backline (note: I briefly contemplated referring to the NZ team as the All Blacks again but I just don't want to :) had a big collision with Carlos Spencer (NZ God) and totally stuffed his knee! I just heard the news that it has now been confirmed that he has a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. In short that means that he could be OUT for the rest of the tournament. What a huge loss that will be for NZ should that eventuate. Umaga is awesome.

Speaking of awesome, that young Daniel Carter (from the Crusaders) had a top game! Richie McCaw's nothing but a ball thief, and a good one too, while Carlos Spencer continues to make me sick he's so slick :)) Brad Thorn - I'd like to call him a traitor for leaving the Brisbane Broncos but I am led to believe that he was originally a Kiwi and hence is one of the only ones to EVER return back to the shaky isles and so therefore should only be thanked - is playing like a mad man! Wish you'd have stayed in Oz with the good guys :)) Gotta give full marks to Thorn's try scored after barreling through 3 Italian defenders.

The Italian side didn't give up though and had a go. Kiwis are frustrated bullies though I guess and took it out on the Italians. At least they'll be happy over there in the sheepish isles for a few days.

Ahhh.. I feel better now. See, I 'can' write something pleasant when I put my mind to it. For the record - I told my kids that if anyone asked, we didn't see anything of the NZ-Italy game :)