Rugby's 'Paul the Octopus', a trip to Nelson and a spot of wine tasting... it's Miles Harrison's diary.
Miles' Diary Part VI
The Rugby World Cup is here as the best teams on the planet go head-to-head in the pursuit of the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Sky Sports commentator Miles Harrison will be in New Zealand for the next six weeks to watch the biggest games and to follow the competition from start to finish.
And he'll bring you a flavour of the tournament in his regular online diary, right here on
skysports.com.
In Part VI, Miles is excited by the prospect of England's clash with Scotland and is blown away by the Rugby World Cup's answer to 'Paul the Octopus'.
Day Nineteen - Friday 23rd
Sirocco the Kakapo walks into my life today....well, waddles actually. "Who?" I hear you say. Well, he is one of only 129 of this ancient breed of ground parrot left in the world today and I visit him at his home, half an hour from Dunedin, to record a 'Paul the Octopus' type of piece.
And, I have to say, that this friendly, flightless, feathered fella wins my heart although (thankfully) not quite in the same way as he famously did with Stephen Fry's zoologist colleague on a TV nature programme - Sirocco tried to mate with the back of his head (a moment that has led to millions of YouTube hits)! But, Sirocco is certainly a cutie - of that there is no doubt.
Sirocco has been hand reared from a chick so he loves human contact and we are told that he is more than happy to make a choice, for the purposes of TV, between a New Zealand flag and a French flag.
We are inside his sterilised enclosure so that means wearing special overalls and a beanie hat to avoid introducing any nasties. Sirocco easily earns his Macadamia nuts and a cheer from the gathering crowd of tourists by choosing 'McCaw's' team's flag.
What a silly but privileged night - our hosts at the Oranganui EcoSanctuary are terrific and we wish the Kakapo Recovery Programme all the best. There were only 55 kakapos left fifteen years ago so they are doing something right. Theirs is such valuable work.
Day Twenty - Saturday 24th
Match day for England brings the obligatory pre-match interview in a Dunedin pub that serves English beer. Unsurprisingly, the English fans in there are good sports.
The game itself delivers exactly what we expected it to but today is not about the win. We know that is coming, no, it is about England making themselves feel that bit better. To get the back three involved as much as they do is good news and, for Mark Cueto, it is a great return.
We must remember though that this is a Romania second team and, consequently, it is hard to make any real judgements on the final whistle. Yet, I go back to my point - today is not about that, it is about England getting their game going. Certainly, the way England finish, with the forwards romping around the field in a very positive way, is further good news for the team.
Later, however, there is a reminder of the power of others whilst watching the All Blacks on the big screen with a glass of local Pinot in hand. In the first half against France, the rugby from the hosts is as good as the wine.
Day Twenty-One - Sunday 25th
Today might be a Sunday but, in this World Cup, there is no such thing as a day of rest. It's a morning flight to Auckland, a quick dash to the hotel for a change and then into the studio for the afternoon's action.
It soon becomes apparent that it is Martin Crowe's birthday and there is chocolate cake, much-needed chocolate cake, as lunch has been missed. Martin is now the Executive Producer of the Rugby Channel on Sky New Zealand and it is a pleasure to meet such a top sportsman as my club cricketing colleagues back home will undoubtedly understand.
In the first game, there is no such pleasure for Fiji as they look a shadow of the team they were at the last World Cup and lose to Samoa. Russia don't fare any better against Ireland but at least show what they can do with a couple more excellent tries.
The Irish continue to look as if the happiness has returned to their game and Ronan O'Gara certainly looks pleased at the end. He has the smile of a man who might just have won the battle for number ten against Jonny Sexton for the important Italy game - but we will have to wait to see on that.
The big game of the day is Scotland against Argentina. It's the very definition of attrition and it struggles to hold the interest of the crew in the studio, that is, until the climax.
Scotland seem to be closing in on victory but blow it and their lack of tries comes to hurt them. Argentina, to their immense credit, having suffered numerous injuries, including the one that did for their great standard-bearer Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, grab their chance.
I scream 'off-side' at the TV as I watch Dan Parks forced onto his left foot for his last-gasp drop-goal attempt but replays show that Felipe Contepomi and Wayne Barnes might have just got it right. There's good grace from Argentina in victory but for Scotland that is no consolation - what a game in prospect against England now.
Day Twenty-Two - Monday 26th
I've been looking forward to this day all through the World Cup - my first-ever trip to Nelson at the top of New Zealand's South Island. I'm not disappointed. My words won't do it justice because it is not just about scenery; it is the vibe and that is something you have to feel and not write about.
It is a place that you must visit if you ever get the chance. We have lunch on the water overlooking Golden Bay on the Tasman towards the snow-capped mountains - it's perfect.
USA training gives us time to catch up with some old friends and centre, Paul Emerick, plays a trick on myself and Stuart Barnes by shouting that the ball is going to land on our heads, 'incoming!' when it is nowhere near us. We buy it totally. He's in good spirits - as are all the USA squad. For them, tomorrow's game against Italy is the end of the competition, whatever happens, and they intend to go out in a blaze of glory.
We go out on the water. A boat trip in the bay with some friends and colleagues - wine, scallops and a sunset is a perfect way to end a terrific day. Yes, it's not all hard work and no play on this trip!
Day Twenty-Three - Tuesday 27th
Today, breakfast consists of something a little different as Stuart and I head off to Neudorf vineyard for a wine tasting (remember you can spit it out!).
Their sauvignon blanc just happens to be Lesley's (Stuart's wife) favourite tipple. She has got good taste...and Stuart's credit card takes a hammering.
What a beautiful spot, about a half hour from Nelson; it is lovely to take time out and just catch breath.
The game in the evening pretty much goes to script - the States give everything and Italy win and score their four tries (the bonus is crucial) by using the power of their pack. Martin Castrogiavanni gets our Man of the Match pick, the USA return home with honour and respect, and Italy march to Dunedin for their showdown with Ireland.
Can they beat Ireland for the first time and reach a quarter-final for the first time too? Well, on the evidence of tonight, no, but Castro and friends have enough to make life pretty uncomfortable for Declan Kidney's men.
