World Cup Diary

Rugby stories from the World Cup

Kiwis stay close

The wives and girlfriends of the All Black squad have been allowed to stay in the same hotel as their husbands and boyfriends during this World Cup. Ireland, alas, have a more, well, Irish regime; the "wags" won't be mingling around the team breakfast room. But if the All Blacks don't win the competition, guess who's going to get the blame.

Zizou on the ball

All Blacks outhalves Dan Carter and Nick Evans, inside centres Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger, scrumhalf Byron Kelleher and fullback Leon MacDonald joined 1998 Fifa World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane (below) in running a kicking clinic for 10 youngsters from the south of France. Carter, ever the diplomat, said he was impressed with Zidane's kicking skills.

It is not the first time Zizou has grooved with the oval ball: "I did it with Fabien Galthie (ex-French rugby captain) a couple of months ago and it was catastrophic," said the former world footballer of the year."Today was better."

Trib spells it out

The French edition of the International Herald Tribune decided to redefine the game of rugby. Clearly not wishing to take any prisoners the paper set about explaining to its readers what all the fuss was about over this Rugby World Cup thingy. If you didn't already know it, rugby is "known for its manly violence and the frequent concussions, broken teeth and nosebleeds inflicted on its players".

The French magazine Elle also chipped in to explain a scrum was "not necessarily as ridiculous as it appears".

Value for money

The cost of entry into Ireland's first two pool matches for those cavaliers flying to Bordeaux ticketless may just be the face value. The ground capacity is 36,000, so the smart money is on Ireland's matches not being sold out. So far the Green Army hasn't appeared - which means it's a buyers market, we guess.

Quotes of the day

"It would be the same as asking me to play at Wimbledon against Roger Federer." - Namibia coach Hakkies Husselman (NAM), on the difference between amateur rugby and professional rugby.

"I think France will win it." - Former England World Cup captain Martin Johnson, as ever direct and uncomplicated.

Shirt and sweet

Prior to facing Argentina tonight, the French will depart from the traditional pre-match jersey presentation. After a pep talk from manager Jo Maso and coach Bernard Laporte, the coaching staff will leave the changing room and the 30-man squad to themselves. The eight players not selected for the match will then hand out the match jerseys.

Samoa can't wait

While it's just a five-minute bus ride from the Samoa team's hotel in leafy Neuilly-sur-Seine to their training ground in Courbevoie, yesterday morning they saved time by doing a bit of lineout practice on the pavement nearby. Maybe this is what coach Michael Jones means when he says they just can't wait to get out there and play.