Rodney So'oialo - Image by Jeff AyliffeAs the week draws to an end, the press conferences are spoken for, the teams have been named, and the predictions continue to fly thick and fast, but it is really now down to just 30 people.
When South Africa and the All Blacks meet in test match rugby, it is seldom easy to make a confident prediction. The 2 great rugby nations have a history of hard, uncompromising meetings on a rugby field, and Saturday, August 16 will be no different. I have spent the week with the All Blacks, so can only speak from my experiences, but none of the players are ! prepared to make any strong predictions, which struck me as unusual in the modern world of sports-people doing anything to gain an edge. Every player I chatted to, spoke in humbled tones about pride of being able to have played against the Boks in an All Black jersey, and every player said quietly that to win would be an difficult, and an honour in the ongoing battle between the 2 countries. I cannot wait for the battle to resume, and as far as a result goes, I think it's too close to call.
