The meeting between the Scots and New Zealand at Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday was much talked about in the media prematch. The reason was that the Scots said they'd be resting their mainline players as they had no chance of beating the World Cup favourites anyway.
They were right and the All Blacks, who were clearly pumped up for the Haka, looked like they wanted to prove a point, winning the match 40-0 despite not being 100% clinical.
I noticed a couple of things though:
Firstly, that All Black/White/Grey kit looked absolutely horrendous. The fact that on the field both sides looked the same didn't help the occasion and showed poor planning by the organisers. I actually expected them to change their jerseys and come out wearing black at half time. Didn't happen. I can only imagine how confusing it was for them out on the field.
My second observation is that Ali Williams is slowly becoming a bit of a joke when performaing the Haka. I admire him as a player who is a competitive, talented, and hard working second rower. But when performing the Haka he makes me laugh. There's nothing scary and intimidating about a guy like him sticking his tongue out. It just looks a bit too exaggerated and fake. It works for some players but he is certainly one it doesn't suit. Dan Carter is another.
Tana Umaga on the other hand would have me shivering in my boots and asking for a new pair of shorts.
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