More stupid shirts

My god you do despair at the stupidity of this sport's administrators don't you.

The whole world was scratching their heads in disbelief at how both sides can be allowed to take the pitch in close to identical colours. Have these people ever played the game for heaven's sake? Seeing your team mate out of the corner of your eye and acting accordingly is a big part of the game. Glance at this picture and you do not know who is who!

The NZ players were clearly a little confused with a number of passes going to the wrong man, and has the poor old ref been allowed to comment on this cock-up! How could he tell who was offending in a ruck? The shorts and socks were practically the same colour too, so no help there either!

Once again another admin balls-up - thank you IRB. I wait in vain for the announcement of the blazer responsible being sacked.

On another note, the Frogs dark blue kit was apparently designed so that when they play NZ in the final, the ABs would have to change to the grey. A cunning plan totally screwed by the fact that they are now going to meet in the Quarters, in Cardiff! So who is the home team then? Will it be NZ as a pool winner? I think we should be told. Well done all at Nike. And a team in grey has never won anything of note either.

England improve, Ireland out (almost)

Well, who would have thought it? I have just calmed down from a great weekend's action. And the rugby was pretty good too!

What a change from a week ago.

England didn't play too badly against a useful Sarr-mower side, scoring 4 well worked tries, some of which included beating people by running into space, using a sidestep and pure pace. Thank you Paul Sackey for having all 3 in your second try, and are you taking notes Josh Lewsey.

Yes there was that period in the second half where we lost shape a bit, doing these interminable shuffling pick and drives with no speed of thought or deed. Also, at the same time, what the hell happened to our kicking game. When Ben Kay was taking all the line-outs, there was no need to worry about clearing to touch, yet instead we had everyone kicking aimlessly downfield and waiting for the Sarrmoans to run it back, something they do rather well.

While on Friday night against the Frogs, Ireland were just clueless behind the scrum. This is a backline who would have walked onto a Lions tour this year, and have been together for at least 4 years. Did they have a single line break? Can't remember one, except when the pitch opened up ahead of Trimble and he inexplicably turned left into traffic. Doh!

Did anyone else enjoy the delightful irony in South Africa almost screwing it up against Tonga (and never mind that it would have made life harder for England!). Arrogance and Bok rugby are never too far apart, but what joy that even clearing the bench of your first team left them hanging on. If that final kick had just bounced straight...

They announce the team for Friday today. Will England restore Vickery? Hope not. Will they drop Corry, move Worzle to 6 and bring in Rees? Doubt it. Donkey Cozza is clearly a favourite of Wells, even if the whole world can see he is TOO SLOW.