Eyes on the next level

An interesting day ahead with some good match ups. Pretty keen to take a first look at Samoa who look strong on paper. Great to see Anthony Perenise in the line up who went through IRANZ. This is a very tough pool and with Wales playing so well against South Africa the other sides will have to fire to knock one of them over.

I was particularly impressed with Wales. They played an attractive brand of rugby much like I remember from them as a boy. With some hard straight running backs, a well balanced 10, a ball hunting 7 and a strong pack they would be disappointed to bow out so early.

Canada vs Tonga should be a good battle. This holds a fair bit of interest to me as I spent time playing and later coaching in Canada. A wonderful country and some great people! This is a place I would love to return to and coach again, I was pretty green as  coach on my first visit and I have the desire to return and redeem myself a little. 20 years more experience must count for something! Will look out for Phil Mackenzie in the centres, who I have also worked with on two IRANZ courses. Plus I understand there may be some players from the Cowichan area on Vancouver Island who will no doubt be strongly supported by the wonderful people of that area. Watch out for sideline photographer Caity McCulloch who has a pretty good rugby pedigree herself!

I know very little about Georgia and Scotland did not set the world on fire in their opener against Romania. So will be looking for some improvement there. This could have been a great pool if it included one of the Pacific Island teams.

Keen to watch USA vs Russia tomorrow I would have loved to have been there. Would be great to catch up to the boys in the Eagles who I have been fortunate to work with over the years.

Remember - The edge is in the detail!