Straight into World Cup mode in Auckland with chance catch ups with Bok legends Morne du Plessis and Gert Smal at the Canterbury store at the Viaduct …
Morne is in town for the whole tournament while “Big G” – a man I toured New Zealand with in 1993 with the WP side – leaves on Tuesday after Ireland’s loss to the Welsh. He does leave with a two year contract from the Irish RU in his pocket though – deservedly so, I say …
Next up at The Cloud – basically a monster fan zone set up next to the cruise ships that are in town for the tournament – was a catch up with new Brumbies coach Jake White, who took the opportunity to kuk on me for the crappy pics we use of him on Sport24!
Obviously all the talk is around the semi finals happening at Eden Park (by chance literally 48 meters from our house for the weekend), with many locals calling Sunday the actual final, that should have been contested by the Boks and the home side!
Opinions are divided on both games …. With the injury to Carter and the McCaw foot problems causing locals to question their own team’s ability. One thing is for certain though … They will be “Backing Black” all the way. Patriotism in New Zealand is right up there with those folk in the land of the brave!
These are my weekend predictions:
Wales v France: Wales by 12
Australia v New Zealand: New Zealand by 4
And in the Currie Cup …
Blue Bulls v Leopards: Blue Bulls by 28
Cheetahs v Griquas: Cheetahs by 12
Western Province v Pumas: WP by 26
Sharks v Lions: Sharks by 12
And a few recent snaps from our Cantebury Crusade round the land of the long white cloud …
It’s time for a few well earned Speights, especially given that this morning was spent in the Morningside Health&Sport gym – alongside All Black sevens legend DJ Forbes I has to be said – he was bending a few serious bars!!
Enjoy
Tank
