A chance to reflect on early form

By Neil Reid, Yahoo!Xtra Sports
September 11, 2007

The most notable thing about day four of the Rugby World Cup is that there are no games on today

To date four teams - Georgia, Tonga, Fiji and Romania - are yet to touch the ball in anger at the tournament.

They will get their first taste of the atmosphere in France on Tuesday and Wednesday (local time).

So after each of the big-guns has had a crack, it's a good time to review their early form. Here is how I see it to date.

The All Blacks: Unleashed an amazing opening 25-minute burst against Italy, eventually destroying them 76-14.
It was a great statement of intent, especially considering the side hasn't played a test since July.

The Springboks: Inspired by a four-try burst from Brian Habana, the physicality they showed in the 59-7 win over Manu Samoa should have rivals taking notice.

The Wallabies: The 91-3 win over Japan looked great on the scoreboard, but it has exposed the side to some nasty early injury concerns. Mark Gerrard's World Cup lasted just 30 seconds before suffering a tournament-ending knee injury. But it was a strong allround showing from the Wallabies.

France: The mountain of expectation as hosts got the better of them against Argentina. It highlighted the inconsistency of France. That too is a threat, they are just as likely to turn on champagne rugby at the flick of a switch.

England and Ireland: Fans of the respective teams would hate to be lumped together. But unfortunately, the chances of their respective nations winning the World Cup are the same - NIL.

What do you guys think?

Honiss under the pump yet again!

The ref so many New Zealand fans love to hate has already made headlines for the wrong reasons in France.

His handling of Saturday's Springbok/Manu Samoa clash has been rubbished in some sections of the media.

The efforts of his New Zealand touch-judge Lyndon Bray and TMO Bryce Lawrence have also come in for a public slaying.

And it isn't just the media who have taken pot-shots at Mr Honiss.

The normally-reserved Manu Samoa captain Semo Sititi had no hesitation in venting his spleen at a post-match media conference.

Sititi stated: "I was very disappointed with the referee.
"I hope I don't get fined for saying this. I told him: There are two teams playing here, not one.

"The decisions always seemed to go against us and our spirit went down."

I too hope Sititi isn't fined. If anyone should be hit in the pocket after the match, it should be Honiss.

I didn't make the game - but I made the after-match!

It was with great sadness that I had to turn down an offer to play in a rugby festival on the outskirts of Marseille on Sunday.

Securing follow-ups to the breaking news of Steve Hansen's departure from the All Black camp, and the need to check on the side's injury status, meant missing the media session would not have been a wise thing.

But I did have the pleasure of getting to the official after-match function for the tournament that includes sides from France, Slovenia and Italy.

And what a night - another pearler of an evening here in Marseille.

Taking on a street party feeling, it was hosted on the same small lane that is home to the Little Canterbury bar.

As the amber liquid flowed throughout the night, each team took turns at performing its own adopted anthem.

There was even an Italian haka. Seriously!

I returned to my hotel late in the evening armed with some lovely gifts given to me to take back to New Zealand.

The hospitality of the Marseille people is a common theme of this blog - and it will certainly be one of the biggest things I will cherish from my own World Cup journey!