Well, it’s a rainy old day here in Whanga’ and I’ve had enough time to digest 5 games of  footy from the weekend.

First and foremost the All Blacks v England at Eden Park on Saturday.  An improvement was seen by this supporter.  The 1st 10 minutes was England's and one must wonder if the first try hadn’t been muffed, by way of a great Mils tackle how the game would have proceeded.  Weathering the storm the AB pack gained ascendancy, led by McCaw.  The skipper once again had a blinder.

Nonu and Smith combined with muscle, timing and flair.  Bell, Gully will have to wait a few more years before Conrad takes up his law training as his country needs him.  Selecting combinations who know each others game seems to work doesn’t it Graham?  A good result with 30 minutes of  good play.  With 80 minutes in Christchurch  ? We should send them packing.  Topsy Ojo will have to be contained and their forwards crushed upfront.  No prisoners!

Meanwhile in the West Island, Dingo Deans has his convicts running well.  The ball flowed out through the back line with the speed and precision.  They have rediscovered the counter attack, but the play book that he has waiting for the All Black game was still nowhere to be seen.  The Irish stood up and showed the gap is narrowing between the hemispheres, but not enough, as shown by the Welsh-Boks.  The Taffs kept it up and all three touring teams represented their lands with honour.

On the Coromandel the Whangamata team are suffering from mid season injuryitis. Mercury Bay in Whitianga was going to be difficult and proved to be so.  Meanwhile at the sports ground at 10a.m on Saturday I watched the local 5th grade battle back from 5-19 at the half to beat Paeroa 32-19.  I’ll be there again this Saturday, because there’s nothing like a good kids game to refresh one’s love of the rugby.