Wales - not too much singing...
Hey everyone,
Just got back from a really full-on week and weekend away, mostly at my uncle's place near Oxford, but also in Cardiff for the All Blacks v Wales game.
Last week was really full on at work with loads of deadlines etc to meet. But I managed to get most of it done, and we headed off Friday night after work. Had a nice meal with Mark (my uncle) and Fiona's parents on Friday night, and did loads of talking (which is always fun). Saturday morning I was up early, spending a bit of time with the kids, including computer games with Ben, and Scooby-doo with Josh and Jacob. Mark did a big cooked breakfast for everyone, and then it was off to the rugby. We had a good trip over, the drive taking just about an hour and a half. We got the last park (free too!) at the University, and headed for a pub to meet up with one or two others. The pubs were really packed with patrons, cheering on Scotland against the Aussies. All the locals we met were really nice, friendly people -rugby mad, and always willing to talk about rugby. We eventually got to the stadium, and I was quite blown away. The stadium is every bit as, if not slightly more, impressive that Stade de France. The shape of the stadium being so close to the field, and having the roof closed, really makes for an impressive atmosphere. The game itself was awesome (I'll come back to the haka at the end). The All Blacks took it to the Welsh right from the start, and really silenced the crowd with an early try and penalty. From then on, they looked threatening every time they had the ball in hand. Perhaps more impressive, their defence was rock-solid, only letting in one try when we were a man down and the Welsh managed a long period of sustained pressure. Aside from that, it was really only the individual skill and quick feet of Shane Williams that caused any unease. Much like they did against France in Paris, the defence was totally dominant. The boys are easily the best team in the world, and everyone knows it. But if we were to fall over again at the world cup, everything else would pale in comparison.
We got back to Oxford around 10pm, watched a bit of tv and headed for bed. Mr brother called me Sunday morning, and it was really great to talk to him. But we didn't really have much time to do anything else on Sunday - as the kids had places to go and things to do, and we had to get back to London. I would have really liked to have spent more time with the kids, but we'll be back in 4 weeks over Xmas and I'm really looking forward to a few more (hopefully relaxing) days.
On a final note, this business about the haka (on the part of the Welsh RFU) was pathetic. NZRU agreed to change the format last year, because the Welsh said they wanted to have the tradition from 100 years ago, which NZ agreed to. But clearly the WRFU had a different motive, trying to push NZ around and change the historical practice. They even had the gaul to say they had consulted a "high Maori Chief" to say the haka is always responded to. I fully supported what NZ did an why. The haka belongs to the All Blacks; it both a challenge and a sign of respect to the opposition. What Wales want to do is push NZ around, and have things their way to better suit them. What will happen, if Wales persist, is that every other country, player and fan that gets to see the All Blacks play will get to see the Haka, except Wales. This pathetic move by Wales is simply trying to re-establish themselves as a big power in rugby, as they once were, and to try and help their team cope with playing NZ. Frankly, I'd be happy to see our lads sell our Dublin and Murrayfield, than continue to put up with this from the Welsh and the disrespectful singing from the English. Full time!
Just got back from a really full-on week and weekend away, mostly at my uncle's place near Oxford, but also in Cardiff for the All Blacks v Wales game.
Last week was really full on at work with loads of deadlines etc to meet. But I managed to get most of it done, and we headed off Friday night after work. Had a nice meal with Mark (my uncle) and Fiona's parents on Friday night, and did loads of talking (which is always fun). Saturday morning I was up early, spending a bit of time with the kids, including computer games with Ben, and Scooby-doo with Josh and Jacob. Mark did a big cooked breakfast for everyone, and then it was off to the rugby. We had a good trip over, the drive taking just about an hour and a half. We got the last park (free too!) at the University, and headed for a pub to meet up with one or two others. The pubs were really packed with patrons, cheering on Scotland against the Aussies. All the locals we met were really nice, friendly people -rugby mad, and always willing to talk about rugby. We eventually got to the stadium, and I was quite blown away. The stadium is every bit as, if not slightly more, impressive that Stade de France. The shape of the stadium being so close to the field, and having the roof closed, really makes for an impressive atmosphere. The game itself was awesome (I'll come back to the haka at the end). The All Blacks took it to the Welsh right from the start, and really silenced the crowd with an early try and penalty. From then on, they looked threatening every time they had the ball in hand. Perhaps more impressive, their defence was rock-solid, only letting in one try when we were a man down and the Welsh managed a long period of sustained pressure. Aside from that, it was really only the individual skill and quick feet of Shane Williams that caused any unease. Much like they did against France in Paris, the defence was totally dominant. The boys are easily the best team in the world, and everyone knows it. But if we were to fall over again at the world cup, everything else would pale in comparison.
We got back to Oxford around 10pm, watched a bit of tv and headed for bed. Mr brother called me Sunday morning, and it was really great to talk to him. But we didn't really have much time to do anything else on Sunday - as the kids had places to go and things to do, and we had to get back to London. I would have really liked to have spent more time with the kids, but we'll be back in 4 weeks over Xmas and I'm really looking forward to a few more (hopefully relaxing) days.
On a final note, this business about the haka (on the part of the Welsh RFU) was pathetic. NZRU agreed to change the format last year, because the Welsh said they wanted to have the tradition from 100 years ago, which NZ agreed to. But clearly the WRFU had a different motive, trying to push NZ around and change the historical practice. They even had the gaul to say they had consulted a "high Maori Chief" to say the haka is always responded to. I fully supported what NZ did an why. The haka belongs to the All Blacks; it both a challenge and a sign of respect to the opposition. What Wales want to do is push NZ around, and have things their way to better suit them. What will happen, if Wales persist, is that every other country, player and fan that gets to see the All Blacks play will get to see the Haka, except Wales. This pathetic move by Wales is simply trying to re-establish themselves as a big power in rugby, as they once were, and to try and help their team cope with playing NZ. Frankly, I'd be happy to see our lads sell our Dublin and Murrayfield, than continue to put up with this from the Welsh and the disrespectful singing from the English. Full time!
posted by Steve at 5:09 AM
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