From the Touchline

A lighter look at what is happening at Rugby World Cup 2011. The number 8,847 - that's how many days it has been since 20 June, 1987, the day the All Blacks beat France in the 1987 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland. It was a result many had predicted back then and the triumphant All Blacks looked certain to have their fair share of possession of the Webb Ellis Cup as the RWC continued to flourish. However ... He said it "This time I was adamant that I was going to have fun at this World Cup. It wasn't much fun last time around, and it's going to be my last one. They're inter-linked, the winning and the fun - (who knows) which comes first?" - Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll on how important it is for him to enjoy RWC 2011. Images of All Blacks past A snapshot of New Zealand's glorious rugby history takes pride of place at the Otago Museum in Dunedin during RWC 2011. Famed New Zealand rugby photographer Peter Bush has more than 100 images spanning 60 years displayed in an exhibition entitled "Hard on the Heels". It opened in July and closes on November 6. Photos include action and off-field snaps, including one of the controversial Keith Murdoch leaving Britain after being sacked from the All Blacks for decking a security guard at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff in 1972. True colours Scrum half Taniela Moa has been inspired by the passion of the Tongan fans and wanted to do something to show his appreciation. On the eve of his team's RWC opener against the All Blacks, Moa ducked off to his favourite hair salon in Otahuhu, Auckland, and emerged sporting red and white corn rows. You make me feel like dancing Australia wing Digby Ioane has a reputation for dancing after scoring a try, but he wasn't expecting to be challenged to a dance-off in downtown Auckland "It's crazy. I'm walking down Queen Street and everyone is telling me to dance. It's pretty funny but it's all part of rugby," he said. "This guy wanted to go dance with me (on an amusement arcade dance machine) so I did, and I lost to him." Asked how he was feeling leading into RWC 2011, Ioane said: "I'm really pumped and ready to dance." He said he has a few new moves "up his sleeve", with one proviso: "I've just got to score a try." Judging by some of the moves he's come up with in the past, Ioane could be destined to feature on any RWC 2011 highlights reel. Paterson won't call coach's Bluff Scotland's Chris Paterson isn't taking any risks with New Zealand's famed Bluff oysters - or risking the wrath of head coach Andy Robinson. With Scotland playing Romania in their Pool B opener on Saturday, the team have sworn off taking any chances with seafood. When Paterson was asked if he would sneak an oyster harvested from the cold waters of the Foveaux Strait, the Scot replied: "Not with Andy Robinson in charge." Flying the flag The shops of Queenstown are proudly flying flags in their windows and most of them carry the silver fern of the All Blacks. One shop, however, has a French tricolore on display, but with a note beside it that reads: ''The Kiwis in this shop DO NOT endorse this flag.'' Among his souvenirs: a car Many players like to take home a souvenir from a trip, but England hooker Dylan Hartley won’t be cramming his into his luggage on the flight back to the UK. The Rotorua-born 25-year-old spied a “mint” 1963 Vauxhall Victor in Dunedin and bought the vintage car from an owner who initially had no intention of selling. It is Hartley’s first car and he tested its pulling power by taking three of his teammates on a city tour and the ultimate challenge – up Dunedin's Baldwin Street, reputedly the world's steepest residential road. Hartley was joined by Ben Foden, James Haskell and Chris Ashton. Said Haskell: “Dylan bottled it twice going up. Guys had to keep shunting it up. We asked a local if we would make it. We eventually did. The Vauxhall leaked at the top.” Hartley is expected to leave his trophy with his family in Rotorua.