10s a penny, political football and lots of interest

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As New Zealand frets over the All Blacks’ future in the World Cup without injured fly-half Dan Carter it seems there is no shortage of replacements. Colin Slade is the incumbent understudy at number 10, scrum-half Piri Weepu has come off the bench to play there and 2010 All Black Aaron Cruden has been drafted into the squad to replace Carter.
But two other All Blacks reckon they should be given a go. Sonny Bill Williams, when questioned on his preferred position going into the play-offs after starring in the midfield and wing, shot back: “Number 10”. Not to be outdone, team wit and wing Cory Jane reeled off his credentials. “I don’t know if you noticed this, but from Under-6s to Under-12s I played first-five (fly-half). So I’ve got a bit of experience there if need be in the squad. So all I know is I can go into first-five if needed.”
Backs coach Wayne Smith said the idea, although daft, had merit. “The more I think about it it might be a good idea because if we don’t know what we’re doing then the opposition will have no show.” If the climax of the World Cup is as close as an Auckland Council vote authorising additional spending on bolstering ‘party zones’ for fans, it may yet top the drama of Jonny Wilkinson’s winning extra-time drop-goal in the 2003 final.
The casting vote of Mayor Len Brown was needed on Tuesday to secure a 10-9 victory for supporters of an additional NZ$1.5 million (US$1.14) outlay on a range of facilities including a new waterfront fan zone. But the outcome may have been different if City Vision councillor Dr Cathy Casey had not left the council chamber before the vote was taken. The New Zealand Herald reported Dr Casey as saying the reason she left early was to attend her step-daughter’s 14th birthday party — presumably rather less expensive than the one the city is planning for the world’s rugby fans.
Collectors will have the chance to bid for more than 160 items of rugby memorabilia in Auckland on October 13. Among the lots on offer is a cap from the 1884 New Zealand team, the country’s first representative side and one which played in dark blue, not black. ‘The All Blues’? Doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it?

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