Mike the Scot leaps into the 21st Cent.

Thank fuck for digital cable. I have been without it for nine months, but through its magic I got to watch the final game of the tri-nations. it was a real treat getting to sit back and watch 30 guys who know the rules of the game really playing the game so well.

What I think I loved most about the game, except that it simply qwenched my rugby drought, was the fact, not that the All-Blacks won, but in the way they won.

This Kiwi team is not what it has been. They are not the Lomu led monsters of the 1995 World Cup (I know they didn't win it but they killed people -- see Japan), they are not the Jordan/Pippen Bulls, the 1972 Brazilians (soccer) or anything else.
However, these guys are just winners with guts. they willed a win against Australia.

Just after the half they were down 7-17, but then within just a few minutes rattled off three tries. From there they played some gutsy, though not technically sound, defense and clung onto their lead for dear life.

Not disparaging the Kiwi's, but some of their individuals are not at the level they once were. The pack looked average at times, and -- although it is blasphemy to some -- Daniel Carter is not the player he was a few short years ago.

It is not the men who are superb, it is the team. They may be awful at winning World Cups but the key to international rugby is to take things one at a time (and win) -- not just to dribble on about the future. (Is there a message there for this year for the Olde Grey and its rapidly aging core?)

But anyway, all I really have to say is that it was great to see the real fighters win it -- even if these cunts have beaten my Scottish boys 24 times out of 26.

If you want to see some of the action here it is (with the best commentry in the world!)