"I didn't really have time to enjoy it as I was trying to hurry everything up because I knew we needed to score some more points."--Chris Baumann (USA Eagles)
Before I give you the day's play by play....
Some days you watch International games and you think, man I bet his/her Club is proud of them. I now know what that feels like. Santa Monica Dolphin, Chris Baumann, scored his first try as an Eagle on Sunday. I'm so massively proud of him. Baumann is a player's player. He puts in the work on and off the pitch. He never stops on the pitch, he never gives up. He juggles the gym, practice and work--making it look easy. As a manager, he's the player I can always count on to be when and where needed without a second thought. You're watching a legend in the making folks--you really are. Well done Chris.
Thanks to the TV broadcast for the picture!
Now then, let's talk about the day. It didn't begin for me at the stadium. It began at Lynn and Duncan's dining room table over breakfast and my first interview with an RWC ticket holder, Stephan Kuehnert.
Stephan is from Saxony, Germany and came all the way to Brighton to attend his first rugby match ever! He'd once visited South Africa and when asked (prior to the match) why he had chosen to support them in rugby he struggled to find the right English words and stated "because I have sympathy for them". Stephan didn't even know that Germany has a National rugby team and 110 club teams. 701 miles travelled, an overnight trip, and one ticket to only one match. It turns out the most exciting match in recent rugby history.
What did you think about before the match?
Stephan: I thought I hope South Africa will win. And it will be a good trip because they will win.
How did you feel watching the match?
When South Africa made their first try I thought they weren't clear in their minds.
What did you think about the Blossoms?
The Japanese made many small point. The better team won yesterday.
Are you going to look into the German rugby scene when you get back?
Depending on time, I will definitely look into the German team and think about supporting them.
Without a doubt, I'm sure Stephan will!
RWC 2015 Match #6: Samoa v USA Full match report here.
Match photos: There are many up, full set TBA
This one was special for a lot of reasons. My home nation, a Dolphin on the pitch and it got even more amazing after that. Special thanks to photographer wrangler Nev Dednum (Part of Her Majesty's Royal Navy when not keeping me out of trouble!) for making sure I could be where I wanted to be on the field (in the try zone the Eagles were attacking) and for his great sense of humor and pride that shown through in his work. I hope he's at other venues where I'll be in the next few weeks!
Yes, I did tear up during the anthems. I might do that every game and I don't care. I'm not just here to take pictures and to write this blog. I'm an Eagles supporter too.
I can't count the number of times during the game I yelled "PHINS UP"--the battle cry of the Dolphins back in LA. I think those were moments where I forgot I was supposed to be an impartial photographer and my brain switched over to an SMRC mentality. It's easy when you see players you've known for years. You can't help but feel a bit emotional about it. Besides Baumann, many of the Eagles I see on the club level playing against the SMRC Dolphins. Fenoglio, Kelly, Kruger, and Taufetee are all familiar faces to me. Then, you've got the USA Sevens players that I just shot in Vegas back in February--Barrett, Durutalo, Niua, Test and Thompson. My God there's even a connection to my club away from club, the Cardiff Blues with two Eagles - Dolan and Scully. It was just last year in London when I photographed Dolan's try against Russia. No wonder it's so easy for me to get swept up in the waves of excitement!
Right - Kick off!
Both teams looked to be playing fast and loose. This worked to Samoa's advantage as the Eagles gave up 5 penalties in the game's first quarter. These led to the first score going to Samoa with a penalty kick by Pisi. He would add two more in the first half. Eagles lack of patience and discipline would also see Samoa try scorer Nanai-Williams cross the line at the 20 minute mark.
As usual though USA has something up their sleeve. In the first half it was Captain Chris Wyles. After a penalty kick by MacGinty, the Eagles settled into a rhythm (shaky rhythm but it was there) and worked the phases to see a wonderful series of plays culminating in a McGinty to Kelly to Wyles over the line for a try.
Unfortunately, USA fell back into their habits and Pisi saw fit to make another penalty kick at minute 39. The score at half-time was 14-8 to Samoa.
The second half saw Samoa with another try at 46 mins and another penalty kick by Pisi which brought the score to 22-8. When the Eagles kept their heads you could see the difference. Letting the game run it's course Samoa eventually made a mistake and MacGinty popped over a penalty to make it 22-11, but that pacing didn't last and by minute 70, the Eagles had conceded another penalty with Samoa's Stanley making the kick.
But the American's didn't give up. Within a few moments they began a drive which led to the greatest try I've ever witnessed by a prop. The Eagles had once again found focus and found themselves driving and driving ruck after ruck right at the Samoans on their own try line. Finding a tiny window open to him, Chris Baumann drove head first into the Samoans and dropped the ball right on the line for his first try as an Eagle. Brilliant team effort in pushing the big men in white inch by inch for the try. The missed conversion which would have given USA the bonus point. But the Eagles walked away with none.
This was the best shot I could get of Baumann's try...I'm sorry big man, you'll have to do it again. eep!
I admire the patience of Eagles coach, Mike Tolkin, in not making any subs until the 50th minute of the match. Likely I would have shaken things up a bit during halftime. Which is probably why I'm not a coach.
"We played well enough to convince us that we can make the quarter-finals. We put ourselves deep in their half and we were in positions to win the game. We need to consolidate on those moments."--USA Eagles head coach Mike Tolkin
For the Eagles, there shouldn't be such a lack of unity on the field. I'm not sure if they were lacking communication or if they haven't come together as a team. Individually, there is some amazing talent on the Eagles squad, but they cannot delay in pulling together and working the phases with patience and control.
"Our discipline and execution let us down. We gave too many penalties away and all in all it was pretty disappointing."--USA Eagles captain, Chris Wyles.
As the teams came together on the field in a giant circle my disappointment faded somewhat. Again, it's the moments before and after the game that matter as much as what happens on the pitch. I hope whatever silent prayer was whispered in the circle bodes well for USA. Come together Gents, we won't top the pool and with play like that of Sunday we won't finish 2nd either. But at least if we can finish third we won't have to spend two years fighting for our spot in 2019.
Back in the press room, I set myself up to watch Wales v Uruguay while I worked. That didn't go well. I watched more of the WRU's match than I did working and found myself one of the last press people out.
RWC 2015 Match #7: Wales 54 - Uruguay 9 Full match report here.
It's hard for some rugby fans to conceive but a win isn't always win. Now then, when you look at the score, you'll see Wales won and by a nice chunk of points. But as usual, the score doesn't always reflect exactly what happened on the pitch.
"They were good. The one thing we didn't do going in to this week was underestimate them. They won't have qualified for the World Cup and I though they played really well."--Wales captain, Sam Warburton.
I admit when Uruguay's Berchesi kicked that penalty in the first 2 minutes I was very nervous. Then when he kicked a second at minute 9...well I started to hyperventilate. Ba-jesus Wales knows how to make a supporter sweat. You're an International team with loads of capped players, playing at HOME yet Wales looked a little rusty and musty. Who does the wake up calls for these guys--start using a marching band!
Lee moved over the line for a try which Priestland converted at minute 15. Another try by Cory Allen with a conversion 4 mins later and I breathed a tentative sign of relief. 20 mins in and it was 14-6 to Wales.
Then the Welsh made an error and Berchesi's boot found another penalty. This was thankfully countered by Cory Allen again with conversion by Priestland. Uruguay proved to be a physical team and more than ready for their first RWC.
Then the injuries woes for Wales began to show through. Paul James and Liam Williams came off. late in the first half. But WRU's Cory Allen came through with another try with another conversion by Priestland to round out the first half. Wales 28-Uruguay 9
Within a minute of the second half, Samson Lee was off with a calf injury.
Pretty much says it all doesn't it
But that didn't stop Wales' Amos from getting across the line and in for a try with another conversion by Priestland. The Welsh were pulling ahead 35-9. It was about this time I had to head out and start by journey back to Wales. Things looked good so I thought, well I can follow the game on the train and be fine.
Then, Cory Allen went down...hard. A hamstring injury has ended his RWC journey for 2015.
Left them alone for 5 mins! Look what happens!
Wales' Davies popped over for a try 60 mins in and then teammate Tipuric did as well 10 mins later. A round of subs for Uruguay didn't stop their bleeding as Davies went on to make a try in the closing moments of the match.
Oh and of course Dan Lydiate went off with a head injury as well.
Even he's doing now....
Let's talk about the positives, shall we? Priestland. Yes I said it. I said it and I meant it. Now get the shocked look off your face and read on. Remember four years ago when he couldn't kick a bloody thing? Well, I'm calling those days long gone. Priestland made almost every conversion and he looked confident and comfortable in his kit.
I know there are some who will put this off as an act and attempt to tell you that confidence doesn't mean anything. But it's more than that. Priestland looked composed and in control on the pitch. It was the first time I'd paid attention in awhile so I don't know when it actually occurred, but some where along the way the Vicar has found his voice..er boot...you know what I mean. Priestland has found his place. Now Welsh supporters get behind him...help him keep his confidence!
Wales won. Good. Wales is at the top of Pool B. Good. The walking wounded are carrying the stretcher cases.... Bad. Injury and depth will be the true telling of Wales for this World Cup. I'm ever anxious to see the starting line up for Saturday's match against England. Hook--keep your boots at the ready.
It's just so pretty....
RWC 2015 Match #8: All Blacks 26 - Argentina 16 Full Match Report here.
For the entirety of this game, I was on a train. And it is with great regret I have to say that I did not watch this match. *Bad Morgie* But if ever there was a game that went the way I expected it would go--it was this one--HA no it didn't. NZL rounded out the weekend by being yet another team with cobwebs and rust. Isn't that what the warm up matches are for? Aren't you guys supposed to be hitting the ground running?
"For a lot of the guys it was their first taste of World Cup rugby and it's something that we'll benefit from immensely. I enjoyed the game. I thought Argentina played outstandingly well. They've got better and better and they love World Cups. They rose to the occasion and we knew they would, but it was nice to absorb that and then finish with a bit of good rugby near the end of the game" --All Blacks, Conrad Smith.
It seems the TMO is going to be the bane of McCaw's existence. McCaw is a legendary player but he's not a perfect player. His play is full of moments slightly offsides and cheeky movements like the trip on Sunday. With eyes in the skies, McCaw's classic sneak a foot is not sneaking under the radar any longer. It could be the TMO has been refined just for McCaw as he spent some time in the sin bin. This is definitely going to repeat in future matches in the RWC. I suspect a relative rash of them in the knock our rounds.
Argentina rallied in the first half but didn't give NZL much worry after that.
Buried point:
I'm gonna tuck this down here at the bottom of today's update because it pains me to even think the words. But I agree with Gavin Henson. Gavin's publicly stated that he thinks NZL won't do well past the pool matches at this RWC because they're getting old. And he's right. Maybe I can swing this as him stealing the point I've been making all year. The All Blacks are aging. They're all a little slower off the mark, they're all a little slower on recycling themselves after a tackle. They're still my favorite to take it all, but they're not the team they were four years ago. As many smaller teams have proven (hello Japan) the 2015 Rugby World Cup is wide open right now. Which team is going to step up and take it?
Before I give you the day's play by play....
Some days you watch International games and you think, man I bet his/her Club is proud of them. I now know what that feels like. Santa Monica Dolphin, Chris Baumann, scored his first try as an Eagle on Sunday. I'm so massively proud of him. Baumann is a player's player. He puts in the work on and off the pitch. He never stops on the pitch, he never gives up. He juggles the gym, practice and work--making it look easy. As a manager, he's the player I can always count on to be when and where needed without a second thought. You're watching a legend in the making folks--you really are. Well done Chris.
Now then, let's talk about the day. It didn't begin for me at the stadium. It began at Lynn and Duncan's dining room table over breakfast and my first interview with an RWC ticket holder, Stephan Kuehnert.
Stephan is from Saxony, Germany and came all the way to Brighton to attend his first rugby match ever! He'd once visited South Africa and when asked (prior to the match) why he had chosen to support them in rugby he struggled to find the right English words and stated "because I have sympathy for them". Stephan didn't even know that Germany has a National rugby team and 110 club teams. 701 miles travelled, an overnight trip, and one ticket to only one match. It turns out the most exciting match in recent rugby history.
What did you think about before the match?
Stephan: I thought I hope South Africa will win. And it will be a good trip because they will win.
How did you feel watching the match?
When South Africa made their first try I thought they weren't clear in their minds.
What did you think about the Blossoms?
The Japanese made many small point. The better team won yesterday.
Are you going to look into the German rugby scene when you get back?
Depending on time, I will definitely look into the German team and think about supporting them.
Without a doubt, I'm sure Stephan will!
RWC 2015 Match #6: Samoa v USA Full match report here.
Match photos: There are many up, full set TBA
This one was special for a lot of reasons. My home nation, a Dolphin on the pitch and it got even more amazing after that. Special thanks to photographer wrangler Nev Dednum (Part of Her Majesty's Royal Navy when not keeping me out of trouble!) for making sure I could be where I wanted to be on the field (in the try zone the Eagles were attacking) and for his great sense of humor and pride that shown through in his work. I hope he's at other venues where I'll be in the next few weeks!
Yes, I did tear up during the anthems. I might do that every game and I don't care. I'm not just here to take pictures and to write this blog. I'm an Eagles supporter too.
I can't count the number of times during the game I yelled "PHINS UP"--the battle cry of the Dolphins back in LA. I think those were moments where I forgot I was supposed to be an impartial photographer and my brain switched over to an SMRC mentality. It's easy when you see players you've known for years. You can't help but feel a bit emotional about it. Besides Baumann, many of the Eagles I see on the club level playing against the SMRC Dolphins. Fenoglio, Kelly, Kruger, and Taufetee are all familiar faces to me. Then, you've got the USA Sevens players that I just shot in Vegas back in February--Barrett, Durutalo, Niua, Test and Thompson. My God there's even a connection to my club away from club, the Cardiff Blues with two Eagles - Dolan and Scully. It was just last year in London when I photographed Dolan's try against Russia. No wonder it's so easy for me to get swept up in the waves of excitement!
Right - Kick off!
Both teams looked to be playing fast and loose. This worked to Samoa's advantage as the Eagles gave up 5 penalties in the game's first quarter. These led to the first score going to Samoa with a penalty kick by Pisi. He would add two more in the first half. Eagles lack of patience and discipline would also see Samoa try scorer Nanai-Williams cross the line at the 20 minute mark.
As usual though USA has something up their sleeve. In the first half it was Captain Chris Wyles. After a penalty kick by MacGinty, the Eagles settled into a rhythm (shaky rhythm but it was there) and worked the phases to see a wonderful series of plays culminating in a McGinty to Kelly to Wyles over the line for a try.
Unfortunately, USA fell back into their habits and Pisi saw fit to make another penalty kick at minute 39. The score at half-time was 14-8 to Samoa.
The second half saw Samoa with another try at 46 mins and another penalty kick by Pisi which brought the score to 22-8. When the Eagles kept their heads you could see the difference. Letting the game run it's course Samoa eventually made a mistake and MacGinty popped over a penalty to make it 22-11, but that pacing didn't last and by minute 70, the Eagles had conceded another penalty with Samoa's Stanley making the kick.
But the American's didn't give up. Within a few moments they began a drive which led to the greatest try I've ever witnessed by a prop. The Eagles had once again found focus and found themselves driving and driving ruck after ruck right at the Samoans on their own try line. Finding a tiny window open to him, Chris Baumann drove head first into the Samoans and dropped the ball right on the line for his first try as an Eagle. Brilliant team effort in pushing the big men in white inch by inch for the try. The missed conversion which would have given USA the bonus point. But the Eagles walked away with none.
I admire the patience of Eagles coach, Mike Tolkin, in not making any subs until the 50th minute of the match. Likely I would have shaken things up a bit during halftime. Which is probably why I'm not a coach.
"We played well enough to convince us that we can make the quarter-finals. We put ourselves deep in their half and we were in positions to win the game. We need to consolidate on those moments."--USA Eagles head coach Mike Tolkin
For the Eagles, there shouldn't be such a lack of unity on the field. I'm not sure if they were lacking communication or if they haven't come together as a team. Individually, there is some amazing talent on the Eagles squad, but they cannot delay in pulling together and working the phases with patience and control.
"Our discipline and execution let us down. We gave too many penalties away and all in all it was pretty disappointing."--USA Eagles captain, Chris Wyles.
As the teams came together on the field in a giant circle my disappointment faded somewhat. Again, it's the moments before and after the game that matter as much as what happens on the pitch. I hope whatever silent prayer was whispered in the circle bodes well for USA. Come together Gents, we won't top the pool and with play like that of Sunday we won't finish 2nd either. But at least if we can finish third we won't have to spend two years fighting for our spot in 2019.
Back in the press room, I set myself up to watch Wales v Uruguay while I worked. That didn't go well. I watched more of the WRU's match than I did working and found myself one of the last press people out.
RWC 2015 Match #7: Wales 54 - Uruguay 9 Full match report here.
It's hard for some rugby fans to conceive but a win isn't always win. Now then, when you look at the score, you'll see Wales won and by a nice chunk of points. But as usual, the score doesn't always reflect exactly what happened on the pitch.
"They were good. The one thing we didn't do going in to this week was underestimate them. They won't have qualified for the World Cup and I though they played really well."--Wales captain, Sam Warburton.
I admit when Uruguay's Berchesi kicked that penalty in the first 2 minutes I was very nervous. Then when he kicked a second at minute 9...well I started to hyperventilate. Ba-jesus Wales knows how to make a supporter sweat. You're an International team with loads of capped players, playing at HOME yet Wales looked a little rusty and musty. Who does the wake up calls for these guys--start using a marching band!
Lee moved over the line for a try which Priestland converted at minute 15. Another try by Cory Allen with a conversion 4 mins later and I breathed a tentative sign of relief. 20 mins in and it was 14-6 to Wales.
Then the Welsh made an error and Berchesi's boot found another penalty. This was thankfully countered by Cory Allen again with conversion by Priestland. Uruguay proved to be a physical team and more than ready for their first RWC.
Then the injuries woes for Wales began to show through. Paul James and Liam Williams came off. late in the first half. But WRU's Cory Allen came through with another try with another conversion by Priestland to round out the first half. Wales 28-Uruguay 9
Within a minute of the second half, Samson Lee was off with a calf injury.
But that didn't stop Wales' Amos from getting across the line and in for a try with another conversion by Priestland. The Welsh were pulling ahead 35-9. It was about this time I had to head out and start by journey back to Wales. Things looked good so I thought, well I can follow the game on the train and be fine.
Then, Cory Allen went down...hard. A hamstring injury has ended his RWC journey for 2015.
Wales' Davies popped over for a try 60 mins in and then teammate Tipuric did as well 10 mins later. A round of subs for Uruguay didn't stop their bleeding as Davies went on to make a try in the closing moments of the match.
Oh and of course Dan Lydiate went off with a head injury as well.
Let's talk about the positives, shall we? Priestland. Yes I said it. I said it and I meant it. Now get the shocked look off your face and read on. Remember four years ago when he couldn't kick a bloody thing? Well, I'm calling those days long gone. Priestland made almost every conversion and he looked confident and comfortable in his kit.
I know there are some who will put this off as an act and attempt to tell you that confidence doesn't mean anything. But it's more than that. Priestland looked composed and in control on the pitch. It was the first time I'd paid attention in awhile so I don't know when it actually occurred, but some where along the way the Vicar has found his voice..er boot...you know what I mean. Priestland has found his place. Now Welsh supporters get behind him...help him keep his confidence!
Wales won. Good. Wales is at the top of Pool B. Good. The walking wounded are carrying the stretcher cases.... Bad. Injury and depth will be the true telling of Wales for this World Cup. I'm ever anxious to see the starting line up for Saturday's match against England. Hook--keep your boots at the ready.
RWC 2015 Match #8: All Blacks 26 - Argentina 16 Full Match Report here.
For the entirety of this game, I was on a train. And it is with great regret I have to say that I did not watch this match. *Bad Morgie* But if ever there was a game that went the way I expected it would go--it was this one--HA no it didn't. NZL rounded out the weekend by being yet another team with cobwebs and rust. Isn't that what the warm up matches are for? Aren't you guys supposed to be hitting the ground running?
"For a lot of the guys it was their first taste of World Cup rugby and it's something that we'll benefit from immensely. I enjoyed the game. I thought Argentina played outstandingly well. They've got better and better and they love World Cups. They rose to the occasion and we knew they would, but it was nice to absorb that and then finish with a bit of good rugby near the end of the game" --All Blacks, Conrad Smith.
It seems the TMO is going to be the bane of McCaw's existence. McCaw is a legendary player but he's not a perfect player. His play is full of moments slightly offsides and cheeky movements like the trip on Sunday. With eyes in the skies, McCaw's classic sneak a foot is not sneaking under the radar any longer. It could be the TMO has been refined just for McCaw as he spent some time in the sin bin. This is definitely going to repeat in future matches in the RWC. I suspect a relative rash of them in the knock our rounds.
Argentina rallied in the first half but didn't give NZL much worry after that.
Buried point:
I'm gonna tuck this down here at the bottom of today's update because it pains me to even think the words. But I agree with Gavin Henson. Gavin's publicly stated that he thinks NZL won't do well past the pool matches at this RWC because they're getting old. And he's right. Maybe I can swing this as him stealing the point I've been making all year. The All Blacks are aging. They're all a little slower off the mark, they're all a little slower on recycling themselves after a tackle. They're still my favorite to take it all, but they're not the team they were four years ago. As many smaller teams have proven (hello Japan) the 2015 Rugby World Cup is wide open right now. Which team is going to step up and take it?
No comments:
Post a Comment