From the Touchline | infonews.co.nz New Zealand News

A daily look at the lighter side of Rugby World Cup 2011. The number 109 - John Smit (RSA) has been selected to play against Namibia on Thursday, meaning he will surpass the tally of injured teammate Victor Matfield to become the most capped Springbok of all time with 109 caps. Only seven players in international rugby history have won more caps than Smit. He said it "If you can give me one player on this team who will put his interests above the interests of the team, then today I will personally send him home." South Africa coach Peter de Villiers lays down the law to his star men ahead of their Pool D match against Namibia on Thursday. In vino veritas While life for some WAGs (wife and girlfriends) of international sportsmen is a dizzying round of shopping trips, salon visits and photo opportunities, it is refreshing to find others not content to ride on the coattails of their more famous other halves. A  group of rugby followers enjoying a wine-tasting at Cable Bay Vineyard on Waiheke Island, near Auckland, were treated to an informed introduction to its wares by their charming hostess, Hannah. The young viticulture graduate left no question unanswered until she seemed temporarily at a loss for words when quizzed about whether any All Blacks had visited the estate. Jonah Lomu and Grant Fox had both passed through recently, she said, before sheepishly adding: "And my boyfriend is Sam Whitelock, so he is familiar with the place." Hirsute second row Whitelock must be gratified to know that while he is pushing the New Zealand scrum, his girlfriend is pushing the country's produce just as impressively. PS: Whitelock is not the Cable Bay's only link to the world of rugby. The vineyard lists among its eight shareholders none other than Sir Tony O'Reilly, the renowned Irish businessman and former rugby international who took part in the 1959 British Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. Bar bedlam "It's been mad," said Auckland bar manager Steve Tuala of his Rugby World Cup experience. "The night the World Cup started we had queues outside the door and I had to get security blokes in to limit the numbers in the bar." But Steve said that first night was almost eclipsed at the weekend when the Ireland supporters came to town and boosted his bar's profits. He loves the Irish but also retains a special affection for Argentine visitors to his establishment. "They are really good and had a great time," Steve said. "Argentinians and Irish are my favourites so far, but even the Aussies were good. Even though they lost, they were cool about it." He did report one sorry tale. Last Saturday an Irish supporter managed to climb up and rip off an Irish flag from the ceiling, spoiling the bar's World Cup display. "I rushed around from the bar and managed to stop him getting out the door with the flag. He offered it back and I told him to keep going (out the door)," Steve said. "He was quite jolly about it all. Just a little prank and worth trying to get away with it, though his mates, who'd helped him reach the ceiling, were really taking the mickey out of him for getting caught." Well, I'll be... Fans with an earthy sense of humour struggled to contain their mirth at a novel item that has appeared on the menu of a restaurant on Waiheke island since Ireland's memorable win over Australia. In bold letters on a blackboard under the heading "Go On Ireland!" is the unfamiliar dish: "Well Oiled Beef Hooked." You have to say it fast and with an Emerald Isle brogue to truly savour this delicacy. Weather eye in the sky Scotland are leaving nothing to chance as they prepare their squad for Sunday’s tournament-defining third round Pool B clash against Argentina. And being in "Windy Wellington", naturally enough the Scots are paying particular attention to the skies. Having already experienced almost a week of the harbour city’s famous "four seasons in one day" weather they are receiving long-range forecasts from no less than four sources - one of them decidedly top brass. “We even get a report from the Royal New Zealand Air Force,” said the team's media manager Graham Law. Pulling rank Steve, the manager of that downtown Auckland bar, is Samoan and, as such, is mad keen to get along to Eden Park for the all-Pacific clash against Fiji on Sunday afternoon. The trouble for Steve is, that he is supposed to be working. "I'm working on it, but it could come down to someone working when they thought they had the Sunday off," he said. "Boss' prerogative, isn't it?" Game in the frame Former Scotland full back Gavin Hastings has paid a visit. So have ex-Springboks skipper Bob Skinstad and Samoa legend Pat Lam, who coaches the Blues Super Rugby team. Australian TV hack Greg Clarke and his crew have also been there. Where did they go? Auckland Town Hall, which is hosting a photography exhibition, simply titled Union, celebrating the game we're all here for. The exhibition, which runs until 28 October, features 75 photographs from around the world. All Black is the new black An Auckland sports apparel store reports lively trading during the RWC and the most popular item ringing up the cash registers has been the All Black jersey. "Our clientele is normally about 80 per cent tourists, but during the World Cup it's something like 95 per cent," said manager Trish Haxton. "The All Blacks is such a well-known brand worldwide and people are coming in wearing Scottish, Argentinian or even Russian shirts, and they all seem to want an All Blacks shirt." Along with the resulting profits, Trish said she is "enjoying the company of people who enjoy rugby".