Meet the All Blacks

Dan Carter

Roll up, roll up.  Who would like to meet the All Blacks?

Well, to be more precise Dan Carter, Keven Mealamu, Ma’a Nonu, Sam Whitelock, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams.  Rugby fans and All Black supporters can meet them at the RFU Store at Twickenham Stadium between 11.30am and 12.30pm this Friday,


I know it's bonfire night, but if you go please, please resist the urge to fire rockets at them ahead of Saturday's game against England.  Or just use small bangers.

As ever, Dan the man hopes plenty of All Black fans will turn out in force.  Probably to protect him from being chucked on a bonfire.
He said “As a team we always look forward to the opportunity to get out and meet our fans and thank them for their ongoing support. Hopefully this Friday will be no different and they’ll be plenty of black jerseys out there ahead of Saturday’s match!”

Yeah whatever Dan.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it down to London as I'm revising for exams.  However, I will be keeping an eye on the new Twitter page where NZ players will be interviewed during the tour.  You can follow them at: www.twitter.com/adidasrugby_UK

New Zealand 20 - 10 Australia: Full time Report

The All Blacks powered to victory in Christchurch to claim their eighth consecutive Bledisloe Cup and put them in touching distance of their tenth Tri-nations win.

First half tries from Mils Muliaina and Conrad Smith saw Australia coach Robbie Deans witness his side slump to a record equalling ninth consecutive defeat against New Zealand with just over a year until the World Cup.

The Wallabies looked confident and had the majority of early possession but a quick line out by the All Blacks set up Mils Muliaina for the opening try. Excellent hands from Piri Weepu and Joe Rokocoko allowed the full back to race down the touchline and score with Dan Carter adding the conversion.

However the Wallabies hit back immediately when David Pocock grabbed Carter’s spilled ball and offloaded to Kurtley Beale who sprinted 60 metres to score. Matt Giteau slotted the extras to level the scores 7-7 in a breathless opening 11 minutes.

In the blistering first quarter the All Blacks responded just four minutes later with a try for centre Conrad Smith. Carter’s break allowed New Zealand to work the ball to Smith and his try in the left corner was awarded by the Television Match Official. Carter again converted from the touchline.

A Giteau penalty kept Australia in touch but Will Genia gifted the All Blacks their first penalty in the 33rd minute for holding on, Carter extending New Zealand’s lead to 17-10 at half time.

The electrifying pace settled down after the break but Smith nearly scored his second in the 50th minute when a perfectly weighted Carter kick forced the Wallabies defence to scramble on their line.

However the first and only score in the second half came in the 70th minute when another Dan Carter penalty made Australia pay for sloppy work at the breakdown giving New Zealand an unassailable lead.