Cup Shorts: A Father's Day call and some Rainbow Warrior spotting

Corey Flynn is yet to break either arm. Photo / Getty Images

Coreywatch, Day 1

With only four days until the Rugby World Cup kicks off, all sorts of traditions are going out the window. Corey Flynn, for instance, is yet to break either arm. But the great man started his cup week in bad form, yesterday missing the All Blacks' first official press call of the tournament. Was Ted annoyed? Not really, the replacement-replacement hooker had a good excuse: he was on the phone getting Father's Day wishes from home. Ah, bless ...

A tres bon view

CupShorts got into the spirit of things on Saturday, attending the official welcome for the French team at Orakei Marae.

A great time was had by all, and we couldn't help but think Bastion Pt is the ideal place to welcome the French, commanding as it does excellent views of Marsden Wharf where the bastards blew up the Rainbow Warrior. So, welcome, mes amis!

High rollers

England's players also got a stirring welcome when they rolled off the red-eye from Heathrow via God-knows-where. After the obligatory kapa haka group at Mangere Airport, Martin Johnson's men needed to get the stiffness out of their bones. So did they go for a team jog? Or perhaps a swim in the hotel pool? Nope. CupShorts' sources say many in the Pommy camp checked into their hotel then went straight for a prolonged session on the blackjack tables at Sky City Casino.

Might Martin Johnson be wondering if telling the lads they could booze it up during the RWC was such a good idea?

Pop quiz

Q: Who wore the All Black No 7 jersey in the six tests immediately preceding Richie McCaw's debut? (See below)

Scottish optimism

When the Scots heard New Zealanders were mad keen on rugby they took it to heart.

Optimistically, the kilt-wearing thistle-dodgers have booked out the 1000-seater Invercargill Civic Theatre for the announcement of Saturday's team to face rugby superpower Romania. Surely even in Invercargill there are more interesting things to do than attend a Scotland team naming?

SI.com - who have clearly never been to the Waiuku War Memorial Hall - describes the century-old ICT as "one of the best facilities in New Zealand for live performances".

The theatre's last shot at global fame came when the Rolling Stones played there back in 1965, after which Keith Richards memorably described the city as "the arsehole of the world". We wish Scotland a more pleasant stay.

Non-flying wing

Romania winger Catalin Fercu joins a select group of non-flying sports stars headed by Arsenal and Netherlands striker Denis Bergkamp.

Said Fercu: "I will consider playing for the national team again, but only if I can travel by road. The games in Europe I do not think would be such a problem because the distances are not so great."

Did the Romanians consider drugging his food and sneaking him on the plane a-la Mr T from the A-Team? Anyway, we pity the fool.

SBW keeps rocking

A CupShorts source who has remained steadfastly immune to the charms of Sonny Bill Williams was reminded of the boxing midfielder while reading a book about the Vietnam War.

"The Viet Cong regarded their American foe as being as fast as a race horse, as strong as a plough horse and as smart as a rocking horse."

Classic De Villiers #1

Let's close with the first in a series highlighting the wit and wisdom of Peter de Villiers since he became Springbok coach three years ago:

"I have got a job to do. I think I am a strong individual, a strong character. I do not care what people think about me. I do not care what people say about me. It is what I think about me and myself - and I love myself a lot."

Thanks P-Divvy. We love you, too. A lot. CupShorts will keep rolling out PDV gems from our extensive back catalogue until the great man keeps the love alive with some fresh thoughts.

A: Taine Randell - so boo-yah to smart-alecs who said Marty Holah.