RWC blog: NZ's favourite villain QC
Day Three 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 Three
I'm not going to lie, today felt more like a busy day in the office as the balance between work and play time (soaking up Auckland) swung heavily towards the former's side. After a very late night completing the second edition of the blog, it was a case of getting team announcements up as soon as possible before any thoughts of the city could be had. But once line-ups were announced, I took the bus into Auckland for a visit to the Fan Zone to watch Australia v USA. Comical is one word to sum that up. With plenty of passionate Kiwis watching – and getting behind the American supporters – let's just say Quade Cooper's early errors were savoured.
Despite their win, something is not quite functioning for Australia. Whether it is that they have a lack of creativity in the centres or that they have stopped buying into the systems that served them so well during the Tri-Nations, I don't know, but a quarter-final against the Boks could be step too far. Speaking of South Africa, surely some decisions have been forced on Peter de Villiers now. Francois Hougaard simply must to start – probably at nine – with Fourie du Preez's face on the bench, and then when he emerged from the touchline, summing up that his Bulls scrum-half successor is now pushing him very hard indeed.
Tweet of the day (James Slipper) – @QuadeCooper you feed off the booing bred?
Tomorrow (well today over here) has finally arrived. New Zealand against the French is likely to lead to the city's vibe being at a higher frequency than it has been thus far. There was a batch of berets and 'bonsiors' last night at Queens Wharf so the Fan Trail promises to be an eventful walk before kick-off. Let us hope there is not a lingering feeling of 'who wanted to lose it most' afterwards at Eden Park due to those knockout draws. It would be a travesty.
1994 – the year France were the last team to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Auckland will be alive all weekend as on Sunday there is then the clash between Fiji and Samoa, with the duo and Tonga's car flags around the city giving All Black fans a run for their money. This Pool D still fascinates me in terms of drama, quality and intensity that should all come to a crescendo with the Samoan's fixture against the Springboks next Friday.