French newsagents came out today in support of the decision of the NZRFU to ban WAGs (wives and girlfriends) from hotel rooms for the duration of the World Cup.
Alain DuFrost, head of the French newsprint society expressed extreme delight at the prospect of a large number of players and managers isolated from their partners for the duration.
"It is magnifique," DuFrost stated, "the All Blacks are highly paid professionals. This, along with the Australian curfew on players and their all-night drinking of the wine will ensure a roaring trade for French pornographers.
Our favourite Frenchman Sebastien Chabal scores a decisive late try in France's rugby win over England (held at Twickenham) over the weekend. (Final score: 16-21)
The Dropkicks are keen as beans for the World Cup to roll around, as we're sure you all are as well. While the heartland well and truly pounding one another is always a worthy spectacle, we're looking forward to the sights and sounds of Paris being sent down the wire to us here in good old Enzed.
Mind you, what we won't be able to experience first hand are those intangible things. The food. The wine. The nightlife. To compensate we're doing our best by trying to consume some good cheese, drink some good wine, and ponder the meaning of life in cafes.
It's a tough job, especially when you have to deal with stinky cheeses named "Artisanal". But someone has to carry the can.
After all, we reckon the All Blacks will like to know that we're not abandoning them to their fate their in Paris, city of lights.
The Dropkicks have been a little concerned however, especially since discovering this video. The questions we asked ourselves being, "what in the hell is this all about?"
and
"Wtf is that giant white dome thing?"
and
"Are the All Blacks being asked to sleep in a big tent for the duration of the cup?"
Watch for yourself.
Now, there's no sound... so... what the hell? What happened to the Hilton?
We did read somewhere that it's some kind of expo tent for New Zealand. Being Kiwis, and always insecure about our place in the world, someone is bound to half-fill that tent with helium, and have a few dozen people in "Steinlager Green" T-Shirts and jandals running about yelling "Kiwis aeh! We're ok!" in little squeaky voices.
Anyone who can confirm or deny that wee cultural cringe, or WTF is wrong with that video, is welcome to comment.
Keith Robinson has replaced Chris Jack as Ali Williams' locking partner for the All Blacks' second test against France. This possibly just so we've got someone on our team as mad-crazy as the French #8, Sebastien Chabal.
Before the weekend's match Chabal could be seen staring at the Kapa O Pango Haka* like a hungry caveman. He then coughed the ball up three times before laying out Chris Masoe on the turf (best play by a Frenchman on the night).
*Note this is not the one from the weekend
Forwards: Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo Backs: Byron Kelleher, Dan Carter, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Josevata Rokococko, Leon MacDonald Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Nick Evans
Masoe had a terrible game this week and deserves the bench. Anything else you want to discuss?
All Blacks squad to tour France and Canada and to contest the 2007 Philips Tri-Nations:
Forwards: Jerry Collins (Wellington), Troy Flavell (Blues), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Chris Jack (Tasman), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Anton Oliver (Otago), Keith Robinson (Chiefs), John Schwalger (Hurricanes), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).
Backs: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Nick Evans (Highlanders), Doug Howlett (Blues), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Luke McAlister (Blues), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Conrad Smith (Huricanes), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Isaia Toeava (Blues), Piri Weepu (Wellington).
The Stade Français rugby team have been getting their gears off for a calendar shoot since 2001, helping to make it one of the most popular rugby teams in France, and something of a pin-up favourite of the gay community around the world.
Here's Frédéric Michalak's photo-shoot from 2006...
You can't actually make out Tana in the footage, but this footage of the crowd welcoming the ex All Black captain to the 2nd Division French rugby side Toulon is amazing. The stadium is chocka. The fans chant, throw confetti, and generally go nuts. Apparently games are now sold out weeks in advance thanks to Tana's presence.
And for a second division team. Imagine the Bush getting this sort of support!
