RWC blog: All Black TomTom
Day Seven 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
Day Seven
If you are a newbie to New Zealand like me then navigating around such tourist hotspots as Rotorua, Taupo and the coastline of beaches would be viewed as difficult. So who better to guide you through the Land of the Long White Cloud than international veterans Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu and Kieran Read? Yes, there is now a TomTom All Blacks edition GPS unit complete with directional voices from this All Black trio. Would you trust these guys? Listen here!
Tweet of the Day (Rugby World Cup) – This will be Japan coach John Kirwan's 23rd Rugby World Cup match as player and coach combined. A new record.
Australia's loss to Ireland on September 17 – while great for the tournament – was tinged by me checking my game schedule and seeing Italy's clash with Declan Kidney's side being slightly downgraded. Or so I thought. Now, after today's bonus-point win against USA, the Azzurri showdown promises to be a thriller at Otago Stadium in what will be a winner-takes-all fixture. And on their performance against the States, Ireland have every reason to be wary of what is coming from Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse. However, they will be encouraged to see plenty of joy for Eagles centre Paul Emerick. So that is Pool C while Pools B and D are also poised to go down to the wire in what promises to be an unbelievable three-day spell from Friday. It's game on at the 2011 Rugby World Cup!
Quote of the Day (Miles Harrison speaking of Todd Clever) – He will leave nothing out there on the pitch, or the barber's floor!
It seems that a bunch of the English media are starting to enjoy their stint in New Zealand. Regularly there is a studio spot for Miles Harrison alongside his Sky Sports colleague Stuart Barnes on the country's equivalent while tonight we saw Daily Telegraph correspondent Mick Cleary as a special guest on 'Re-union'. Meanwhile, on Maori television there has been commentary from former England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall and Ireland's Alan Quinlan.