The Old Red Rooster

The chicken has roared, and pounded the Dragon.

I think France and the All Blacks must now head in as favourites, followed by South Africa whose build up has been slightly less solid, but not confidence shattering. Los Pumas must also be happy, but England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland have all been given wake up calls in the last few weeks that definitely expose both their lack of cohesion at Test level and also their squad depth one week out. Better chances for Italy and/or Samoa now getting through to the knockouts? Who knows.

Wouldn't an NZ v France final be fairytale-like? Great for the game to see that final, and JC going toe to toe with big Seb Chabal again.

And as for Waikato? Wow, hats off, Mooloo. I can almost hear Griff screaming "Go for fifty, Waikato!!!" from where I sit typing this in London. They got the 50 points, and the Log of Wood.

And one more strange Mooloo linked item: Mitch defends McCaw.

Unfortunately, I saw none of the above games as we were up in the Cotswolds for Bank Holiday (why don't public holidays have names in the UK?), in a quiet spot called Kingham, eating and drinking the best local produce we could find. And there was lots of it. Its more like rugby territory up there, but try telling that to these guys.


I am taking this as a good omen.

26 degrees in Marseilles today ...