RWC blog: A seething Schwalger

Day Ten from Planet Rugby journalist Adam Kyriacou's day-by-day diary of his adventures in New Zealand at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

For something extra, Planet Rugby has jetted Adam Kyriacou across to New Zealand for him to scribe a day-by-day diary of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Follow Adam on Twitter: @PlanetRugbyAK

Lost a day? Here is a recap of the trip so far:

Day 9
Day 8
Day 7
Day 6
Day 5
Day 4
Day 3
Day 2
Day 1

Day Ten

One of the longest days of the working trip thus far seems like an age ago now. Starting just before midday with a batch of team announcements, there was a brief look over an Auckland map as I weighed up whether to drive to Albany for the South Africa vs Samoa fixture or take two buses. Boy, did I make the right call going there. Despite a one-and-a-half hour drive getting into the city, the second part of the journey – via Media Bus – was excellent. For those unfamiliar with how the public transport system works here, the highway has its own sealed-off lane for buses. So while motoring along to North Harbour Stadium, smug passengers can view the cars stuck waiting in the peak-hour traffic. However, wandering Auckland city centre for my bus home at 2am was no fun. Positives and negatives then.

One of many tweets from Samoan inside centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu last night – Get s.a into next round. The plan was obvious. Can't wait 2 meet irb members in public.

Speaking of taking things with a pinch of salt, last night was one of the more memorable press conferences I have attended. Located in a tent, yes tent, just outside the stadium, the lasting impression many got was that Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger was furious with how his team was treated by official Nigel Owens. Schwalger was visibly shaking with anger and hurt, but with such an unfair playing schedule and how close the Samoans ultimately came, he was rightly proud of his squad. Let us hope tournament organisers address the rest period issue and we have a level playing field from Rugby World Cup 2015 and beyond.

62 – The amount of points Fiji must beat Wales by to qualify for the last-eight

Friday is done then and we now know a couple of teams who have made it into the last-eight. Our focus remains in the Auckland area today as England and Scotland do battle under grey skies. The weather had to turn didn't it but that has not dampened spirits in the fan zone. Supporters were pretty vocal last night around town and again today, with 1987 World Cup winner Michael Jones strolling around posing for pictures. Great stuff to see.