RWC blog: Samo and 'Ballgate'
Day Nine 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 8
Day 7
Day 6
Day 5
Day 4
Day 3
Day 2
Day 1
Day Nine
A treasured day off before what will be a blur of a weekend was spent mostly on the road heading over to the West Coast of Auckland to a surfing hotspot called Piha. It was good to see something different of the country but as many will know, directing ones self while in new territory is pretty tough. Finding out there were no petrol stations within 15km or so did not help reduce the worries, but my old faithful car (250,000km on the clock) did not let me down. Anyway, Piha is one of the most popular beaches or favourite 'get away places' for Aucklanders. It is known for its black sand, which gets unbearably hot in the summer.
Bet of the week – Radike Samo to be first try-scorer against Russia at 7/1! Why not.
Will it be forever known as Ball Gate then? England kicking coach Dave Alred and fitness specialist Paul Stridgeon were on Thursday banned for one game after being found to have illegally switched balls during England's 67-3 victory against Romania. According to Law 9.8.1, the kicker must convert tries with the same ball that was used to score unless it is defective. Things do not get much easier for the IRB too as following NZRU and ARU chiefs Steve Tew and John O'Neill's comments that they may have to give World Cup 2015 a skip, cash-strapped Samoa were fined NZ$10,000. Why? Their powerful finisher Alesana Tuilagi had been caught wearing a 'branded' mouthguard in their match against Fiji. Oh, and Rugby World Cup Limited has stated they will not take the England matter any further. Thoughts?
Top Tweet (Jason Robinson) – Can't believe Mark Cueto has been dropped! England only brought 2 natural wingers and 1 of them has been axed after scoring 3 tries?!?!
And finally a happy belated birthday to Matt Giteau who turned 29 yesterday. Now am I the only one that when he hears dislocated shoulder and fractured cheekbone referring to Pat McCabe and Rob Horne, that the mind promptly assumes that these are not quick-fixes? Still the Wallabies have not called in even one player and duly go into tomorrow's game with Russia choosing to throw Radike Samo on the wing. Surely head coach Robbie Deans needs to pick up the phone and get Giteau onto a plane as their starting midfield choices thus far have unfortunately been lacking any great creativity, with McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, and Adam Ashley-Cooper more direct runners. According to former Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon though, Giteau is going nowhere and Ben Tapuai is more likely of a RWC call-up.