Rugby World Cup Blog | Jonah Lomu | 2007

Doug Howlett reaches a milestone

Mon Sep 24 10:04AM

I had the day in Edinburgh today. We went out walking in the morning through the town to get a feel of the place. There were so many New Zealanders in town I could have been back at home. There was a great buzz about the city, the Scots in their kilts and tartan hats with red hair and the Kiwis in their black jerseys. It was really colourful and everyone was in a good mood looking forward to the game.

Before the match we headed to the Jam House where Gavin Hastings was hosting a few hundred people. We were able to watch the Australia-Fiji match and at half-time I did a question and answer session with Gavin signing autographs and taking photos before we left to go to the match. At the match I caught up with some good friends of mine Carlos Spencer, Mark Robinson and Justin Marshall, there's a photo of us on the page. I was also very privileged to meet Princess Anne again who I have meet a few times before. The Princess is a great fan of rugby.

AUSTRALIA v FIJI

The first match of the day was between Australia and Fiji. The Australians are playing well. Everyone is talking about New Zealand, France and South Africa but they always forget Australia. It seems to happen every time they play a World Cup in Europe. In 1991, they beat us in the semi-final in a marvellous way, then they beat England in the final. In 1999, it was the same they were just clinical in their approach to the game. In 2003, they were never expected to reach the final stages but there they were in the final and they lost only by a drop goal. You can never underestimate the Wallabies, they are tough opponents and they always find a way to win. They are very proud, they know how to win games, they have key players at crucial positions and they have a lot of experience in the side. The difference comes down to who will be able to handle the pressure when it comes to crunch time.

SCOTLAND v NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand-Scotland game was alright, it wasn't exciting because it was really only one way traffic. The All Blacks stayed in the Scottish half, having 70% of the territory occupation and close to 60% of the ball possession. They had full control of the game and they should have scored more tries, but there were too many handling errors. I have to say that one of those reasons was the jerseys. They were just too similar and I think it was a tactic by Canterbury to promote their new jersey. When you are running at pace you can't see the difference and the players seemed to be bothered by it. All said they scored 40 points and kept the Scottish scoreless, I was just disappointed by the handling skills. They now have Romania to play before the quarters. They haven't really played any hard games and they are fortunate not to have any major injuries, they have reasonably fresh players for the knockout stages and I'm sure they will all do their jobs.

For me the greatest thing from this match was seeing Douggie (Doug Howlett) back at his best. He's a great guy, who has worked really hard this year. He has set the standard as a winger for a long time. His three tries made him the highest try scorer in All Blacks history with 47 and he is now just three tries from the highest tally in World Cup history. He might beat my record during this World Cup and he really deserves it.

I'd like to also say a word on Richie (McCaw). He constantly plays at a really high level, and he sets the benchmark for his position. By saying that, New Zealand never lacked in the area of open side flankers. We have had some great players like Michael Jones and Josh Kronfeld, now it's Richie who also has the attitude and leadership to take on the captaincy role. On the field he is everywhere and his work rate is fantastic.

LIKES: Seeing Doug Howlett become the leading try scorer in All Black Test history surpassing Christian Cullen's record. Doug has had a great year, he was on form during the Super 14 in New Zealand and I couldn't be happier for my friend.

DISLIKES: Trying to watch a game of rugby where the team's strips are so similar that even the players are confused by it.

Comments1 - 11 of 11

I agree teams kit colours where awfuly matched. I hope it won't happend again at this level of competition. Where are the "officials".
Kris
From kcitowicz on Mon Sep 24 10:32AM
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As a Scot, I cant' say I am proud that we effectively threw the game against the All Blacks before it started by selecting the 'B' Team. I understand the coach's logic, but don't agree.
If we beat Italy, then what? We get into the quarter finals. So what? If Italy beat us then what? The World Cup is in my view all about pitting the best against the best. This is not what happened in this case.
From cjdfleming on Mon Sep 24 11:05AM
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I have to agree on the kit issue, because of that mismatch the whole match was really awful to watch. I remember reading another article about the All Blacks wearing silver jerseys because of the Scot's dark blue jerseys, and then that? Honestly, I can't understand why and how something like this happens. If one hasn't had the chance to watch the game it would seem like a minor issue, but when you actually watched the game it was plain awful. Other than that good game by the All Blacks. Hope they will win this whole thing.
From dobermann.pharaoh on Mon Sep 24 11:39AM
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Agree 100% re stupid jersey clash---am sure NZ score would be near double had they played in normal 'All Black' strip. what was wrong woth Scotland waering a lighter (white) strip? those worn just confused Ref ,players & spectators! IRB take note!
From geoff.statham on Mon Sep 24 11:56AM
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Sorry CJD Fleming but I absolutely agree with Frank Hadden's decision. Had it been South Africa it might have been worth a go, but not the All Blacks. If we go down to the Italians on the form we appear to have at the moment I will be extremely surprised. Once in the knock out phase everything changes so we have to get there and lets face it, with the exception of the Argentinians an on form Scotland could take on and beat any team in that pool.
I also thought the defensive work yesterday by Scotland was good, particularly for what was in effect a scratch team.
From tjm.sandford on Mon Sep 24 06:36PM
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Totally agree re the jerseys. As a spectator at the ground it was almost impossible at times to tell the difference!! Having said that, had a great experience. The AB's won, the Scottish played hard, and deserved to keep the score to just 40. It's a tough call for the coaches when playing teams at this level, but I have to agree with the sentiments of CJDF, as supporters of these teams don't we deserve to see the best teams playing? Isn't that what these tournaments are supposed to be about?
From steve.turek on Tue Sep 25 11:12AM
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I still think that the All Blacks have the class and depth to win the RWC, but if Argentina win the 'group of death' New Zealand would not relish playing France in the quarters. Have they ever forgotten 1999 semi final at Twickenham.? Could be another classic and thankfully I've got tickets to be there. France have started slower this time, but are now starting to turn on their class and are of course the hosts who wouldn't want to be knocked out in their tournament outside France! Cheers, Rugby Fanatic Bill from Holloway, North London
From sutherland229 on Tue Sep 25 05:21PM
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england never played in the final in 1999 it was france,
From adventure2love on Tue Sep 25 09:09PM
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The kit clash was awful, I think Hadden was spot on though, why risk injuries and demoralising first team loss trying to compete with the all blacks when it would appear the best option is to finish 2nd in the pool and probably get Argentina in the quarter finals!
From iandlcormack on Tue Sep 25 09:52PM
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Check out this article on my blog. It’s a preview on the upcoming match between Argentina and Ireland. And don’t forget to leave your comments as well.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2007/09/
pumasireland-rivalry-resume.html
From soulheads on Wed Sep 26 12:54PM
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It was my first international match.. we had flown in from the States.. had a great time..even played some drunken street rugby with the locals later that night(look up edinburgh street rugby on Youtube) .. before the match started some old men down getting some beer mentioned that the scots would probably lose by 40pts..
From longolongolongo on Wed Feb 20 09:13PM
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