From the Touchline

A lighter look at Rugby World Cup 2011.

The number

13 - The number of times the All Blacks have faced Argentina in matches they have recognised as Tests. This is the lowest head-to-head count of any of the four quarter-final fixtures.

He said it

"I think they're (Argentina) a very strong outfit. Their game suits knockout competition and I think, take them at your own peril. If you take them lightly, then she'll be a quiet old Monday for us."

All Black Ali Williams amplifies the fear of the whole nation should they lose to Argentina.

Cape Crusader

With wind and rain lashing Wellington ahead of their quarter-final with Australia, it was no surprise that the South Africans seemed reluctant to take to the training pitch on Wednesday.

The Springbok team bus was more than half-an-hour late arriving at Hutt Recreation Ground in Lower Hutt for their scheduled run-out.

When the players did emerge, many were wrapped up head-to-toe against the elements. In their tight-fitting hooded tops, skipper John Smit and centre Jaque Fourie did a fair impersonation of Batman and Robin (see picture).

Fourie was happy to do adjustments to his captain's wet-weather attire. His expertise should be no surprise, as his Cape Town-based team is called the Stormers.

Idle hands

Schalk Burger says the Springboks have no problems filling in the downtime on a long campaign like the World Cup.

"I suppose, if we get to the final, it will be seven weeks, so if we do get a gym session off I will spend some time on the golf course," said the flanker at a press conference on Wednesday.

But his revelation of his teammates' activities suggested they were not all as invigorating. Referring to his fellow interviewees, wing JP Pietersen and prop CJ van der Linde, Burger quipped: "JP plays on his Xbox. CJ normally eats."

Shooting from the lip

The All Blacks had some very vocal and opinionated fans giving them tips from the sidelines during training at North Harbour Stadium on Wednesday.

A group of screaming year five and six students from Albany Primary School revelled in the chance to high five and hug their rugby heroes with a group of boys also performing a haka for the team in the stands.

As Jerome Kaino walked off the field, a student yelled, “I’m expecting three tries from you.” Sonny Bill Williams obviously also received a few pointers from the kids, wryly remarking, “I guess we better win on Sunday then.” 

Tongue tied

England second row Tom Palmer, who plays for Stade Francais in the French Top 14, was asked whether he found it easy to get into the French mindset and be part of the team when he joined he club.

"I speak some French,'' he said. "I think what you find on French teams, there are so many foreign players, that you have English speakers and French guys. I did try to always speak French with the French guys and they often spoke English and practised their English. But none of us could say that much."

Three chairs for the Boks

The Springbok press conference was ready to go. The cameras were all set up, a battery of microphones was arrayed on the top table and the room was packed with reporters. The only things missing were anything for the guests of honour to sit on.

Rather than make coach Peter de Villiers, captain John Smit and second row Victor Matfield stand for questions, a photographer went looking for some spare chairs, which were passed over the heads of the media and set in place in the nick of time.

Bingo Deans

Warming up on the basketball court at the Te Rauparaha Arena indoor sports centre at Porirua on Tuesday, several Wallabies decided to try for a few three pointers using team manager Rob Egerton as the net.

After being bombarded with a volley of rugby balls, the 1991 World Cup winning Wallaby punted one back in the players' direction, but instead managed to hit coach Robbie Deans.

Players 1 Manager 0.

Weather eye

At a press conference on Wednesday, All Black second row Ali Williams was asked how different this week feels compared with the same point of the competition at RWC 2007: "It's a little different. Same weather though.

"The weather is quite similar, North Harbour and Wales."

Williams was also asked his opinion on the condition of captain Richie McCaw's injured foot at training.

"He went well. Full training. Brilliant. I've given him a medical pass.

Lost in translation

The Wallabies had their game faces on at a press conference on Tuesday, until Wallaby wing Digby Ioane was asked by a French journalist about the "shape" of his game before he broke his thumb. 

Although he didn't get the question, Ioane battled on with the standard line about being happy to be back etc, before stopping himself with a laugh to admit: "I don't even know what you're saying."

When the question was rephrased by the Wallaby media manager, Ioane was happy to try again: 

"I guess I was enjoying life, enjoying footy, but I'm a big believer in God - there's always a reason - and I'll come back stronger. There you go, mate."

Brad vibes 

Brad Thorn was given the opportunity to get his own back on Wayne Smith after the assistant coach had the press pack giggling with his impersonation of the raspy voiced second rower on Tuesday, an effort which left Thorn less than impressed.

“I didn’t know I actually sounded that bad,” he said. “It’s all good fun and the last decade or so since I got bashed around the throat in league I’ve been getting impersonations. That’s probably the worst one I’ve heard.”