It was a poor crowd at the stadium today and some of the rugby was a lot better than that. Even if a team was well-beaten the crowd almost always had a reason to cheer a good try by the underdogs.
- Aus looked good in the first two games but the physical Fiji team was able to find gaps in their last match because their runners often attracted more than one defender - and sometimes when it wasn't needed.
- Fiji were ahead and Aus needed the yellow card given to Fiji to retake the lead.
- Our girls didn't handle good rush defence very well; too many times they got nailed.
- Like the men, the Aus women lack real flyers and it made a difference both in finishing moves and chasing opponents.
- Aussie Coach Tim Walsh made a claim that one of his players was the fastest in the world. Kiwi Portia Woodman and a couple of other girls must have had a good giggle about that one.
- Talking of Woodman - it was the first time I've seen her at the ground. She's not the biggest and what I didn't realise is how tough she is is in the tackle whether she has the ball, or an opponent.
- Another Kiwi, Michaela Blyde, is going to be a star player - was one of the best at the ground today. Very quick and sharp - and strong, as Woodman is.
- NZ had a better third game of the day (against Canada) than the Aussies did against Fiji - but they would have been glad to get off the park with a 2-point win against France in the second match. That was their down game.
- Russia could be the smokies in a tournament in 2017; though maybe not in Sydney. They didn't qualify for the Olympics last year but they look like they have jumped up in class. Watch out for the Ruskies.
About 40 minutes after their last game Charlotte Caslick was still having her photo taken outside the stadium with young girls - class act young Charlotte.
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