The Art of War

One of the most fun things to look out for this World Cup will be the rival haka performed by the Polynesian teams.

There's been talk of a Zulu war dance performed by the Boks, but consensus is that this is probably, you know, bullshit. Would be a well good surprise to actually see it happen though.

Anyhow... as part of the run-up to the World Cup the Dropkicks are putting up lots of information for the discerning reader. As part of the marathon of youtubing this seems to require, I found this wee gem.



"Staunch" is the word we used to use when I was as young as dumb.

It's going to be good to see the professionals getting as wound up.

The Paris Hilton: A great place to get banged up

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.

All Blacks Named/Shamed

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).

Discuss in the comments

It starts...

The IRB have finally started to show their hand. They have said that they desire a 5KM zone around stadiums to be "ad free".

It said telecommunications and soft drinks companies were among those likely to try to exploit the event's popularity if law changes were not put in place.

Now without any bias, that is downright in-frickin-sane!

If we look at Wellington's Westpac Trust Stadium (the Caketin)...



...it basically means ALL of Wellington will be ad-free (not necessarily a bad thing). Completely impossible.

So what does this mean? IRB: "you can't do it? Oh, well Australia can, we'll just give it them".

Alan Patridge's World Cup 1994

The proof is in the pudding, and the pudding in this case ... is a football.