Rugby World Cup 2011
September 24th, 2011 at 3:06 pm by David FarrarYesterday
Went to the USA vs Australia game last night. We grabbed dinner beforehand at the Trade Kitchen and even from there could see hundreds of people walking past in USA colours, many of them wearing US flags.
In the stadium, it was much the same. There were certainly a lot of Aussie supporters also, but far far more dressed up to support the US. And the crowd was so pro-US, that I suspect it might be the biggest home crowd they’ve ever had.
The first 30 minutes or so the US did amazingly well – especially considering it was their B team vs the Australian A team. The Wallabies went 10-0 up in the first 15 minutes, but then for around 10 minutes Team USA were all attack and constantly close to the Australian line, and finally at 25 minutes they scored a try and the stadium went wild.
Australia scored only two more tries in the first half so 22-5 was pretty respectable. However the difference between a professional and an amateur team shone through in the second half as USA were obviously exhausted and Australia scored seven tries in the second half with ease to make it 67-5. Just before full-time Faingaa knocked himself out an after tacking an American. It took almost ten minutes for him to be taken off the field.
The atmosphere was great, and people happy despite the result. I notice Derek Cheng went undercover as an Aussie fan to see if he got abused, and Wellingtonians were very well behaved.
Tonight
England play Romania in Dunedin at 6 pm. Let’s hope they can manage a gypsy curse or two.
Of course the big game is NZ v France at Eden Park starting 8.30 pm. I’m a bit nervous about this one. The French seem t be our bogeys at RWCs. I’ll be pleased with a win, regardless of the margin.
Am attending the Aotearoa Student Press Association Awards tonight , so unless they have coverage there will catch a recording of the game when I get home.
Tomorrow
- 3.30 pm – Fiji v Samoa at Eden Park. Go Samoa, who should have a supportive crowd
- 6.00 pm – Ireland v Russia at Rotorua. Russia are the under dogs but I have to support Ireland.
- 8.30 pm – Argentina v Scotland in Wellington. As my maternal family tree includes 12 generations of Scots, they’re my pick.
Related posts:
- Rugby World Cup 25 September 2011
- Rugby World Cup 17 September 2011
- Rugby World Cup 12 September 2011
- Rugby World Cup 23 October 2011
September 24th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
It’s not just Cheng going undercover, a full house will be undercover at O’Stadium tonight.
I found that Otago has some things in common with Romania, so good reason to cheer them along.
England have gone back to Wilkinson, the way the English backs looked with him kicking things in the first game is a stark contrast to how Toby Flood ran things last weekend, so it will be interesting to see the English approach tonight.
Vote:September 24th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
It will be a rout, the french do not need to win this game.
Vote:September 24th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
I think that might be the deciding factor jimbob – as far as the RWC goes we don’t need to win it either, but we do really need to win it.
Vote:September 24th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Aotearoa Student Press Association Awards over the ABs versus France? Surely that calls for revocation of one’s Man Card.
Vote:September 24th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Good to see the ABs do the business tonight, that games was at a different level to what we’ve seen so far. Well done.
And I hope they’ve got intercepts behind them now and have learnt from it, in a tighter game that can be a killer blow.
Vote: