Fri 16 Sep 2011 | 10:00
O2 Inside Line - Haskell Cam in Queenstown

14
Comments

O2 Inside Line is back this week with another brilliant episode of Haskell Cam, as we go behind the scenes and into the England camp as the squad explore the sights and sounds of New Zealand. Expect to see plenty of banter, some bungee jumping, and Dylan Hartley's new car.

There's been a bit of talk this week about the antics of the England team while on tour in Queenstown. Mike Tindall in particular came under stick for allegedly taking part in a few extra mural activities while in a bar on a night out after the Argentina win. 

Coach and 2003 World Cup winner Martin Johnson downplayed the incident.

"The manager of the bar has said the England players, their behaviour was perfectly acceptable all through the evening," Johnson said. "The players said 'we are going to go out for a beer on Sunday night', I said it was a great idea. You've got to relieve the pressure, let off steam at the right time.

"We all know when you've got a rugby team, part of it is the bonding off the field as well. I don't want to get to the stage where we are locking ourselves away in hotels. They (the players) understand, no-one likes to be on the front page of papers. They know their responsibilities.

"If we get to the point where you can't go out because someone is going to film you and point the finger at you, it's a pretty sad place. They've gone out for a drink. That's what they've done: rugby player drinks beer, shocker," Johnson said.

The players have certainly been bonding and having a good time, which as another World Cup winner, Will Greenwood, says is essential to their success. "A happy rugby player is a better rugby player," said Greenwood last night.

This episode of Haskell Cam is a classic, with plenty of laughs. Ugliest players, steepest streets, boring groups, and jumping off bridges, it's all there. Enjoy.

To get James Haskell’s inside scoop on the England squad direct from New Zealand, as well as fun features and team chat, sign up for alerts and watch O2 Inside Line on RFU TV at O2InsideLine.com


14 Comments

  • lnd
    1:53 AM 18/09/2011

    True that, the Brit press are a bunch of knobs!

  • flyingpepper
    1:09 PM 17/09/2011

    I thought haskel was already out of his contract with Stade to france?

  • matthew
    12:33 AM 17/09/2011

    How long before Haskell joins Saints to be with his 'banter buddies' all the time, do you reckon?

  • guy
    8:30 PM 16/09/2011

    These handycam items are getting better and better. Almost peed my pants at the students house (look at the wheels!, classic). Those guys together are properly funny

  • 6:35 PM 16/09/2011

    Dammit I was afraid of that

  • lovesportspro
    5:42 PM 16/09/2011

    @Malcolm Bradbrook That's your subconscious talking.

  • 3:49 PM 16/09/2011

    Why does someone say small penises at 8:05 or is it just me that heard that?

  • moddeur
    3:32 PM 16/09/2011

    Hell you're right, I looked at it again. I hadn't noticed the first time around that these people were young (and probably students). I initially thought "oh boy, here goes Haskell making fun of poor people" ... I think it's the phrase: "this whole house is a toilet" that made me tick the first time around.

  • stroudos
    2:43 PM 16/09/2011

    By the way, Haskell's eye looks pretty puffy! Presumably got a knock in a different incident then, not the alleged "gouging"? As despite his initial protest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igOryriEi4Y for those who haven't seen it - swearing gold), he quickly said he was just pushed in the face. Looks suspicious though doesn't it.

  • stroudos
    2:39 PM 16/09/2011

    Makes it even clearer that these grubby tabloid hacks trying to invent some malicious gossip out of a complete non-story ("Rugby player drinks beer shocker" - Johnson) are obviously just jealous. Tossers.

  • stroudos
    2:02 PM 16/09/2011

    @moddeur - you're joking, that was the best bit! It's not like they're making fun of the poor (in case you misinterpreted the scene), they're obviously students who've chosen to live like that.

    Bloody brilliant. Best one yet!!

  • medicaluke
    1:38 PM 16/09/2011

    I love the banter. Its great to see teams that enjoy each other's company and have fun. You can tell these guys enjoy being in the national setup.

  • moddeur
    1:30 PM 16/09/2011

    Very funny all around (especially the bungee jumping part), except for that bit where they knock on some house door in Dunedin and start making fun of everything about the people living there. That part is borderline funny (and borderline mean).

  • hayeder
    12:48 PM 16/09/2011

    Hilarious! Great chat.