Before the Cricket kicked off [tipped off? Bowled off? Hit off?] this week, the fellows over at Sportsfreak were focused on the All Blacks' end of year tour, and the lack of tries in their games. The print media also seem to have chosen this as their lead angle ahead of this weekend's match (exhibit a, b, c, d... need I go on?) against France.

You can see my original response over there, where I gave some stats about the tries the All Blacks have scored and conceded in the NH over the past 11 years, but it sparked something in me. At school, I didn't really pay much attention in Maths. If it was something that captured my attention (like graphs and shit) I'd do it, but as soon as I got to sixth form I dropped it. It's never been a problem in day to day life, but this week I've felt completely incompetent. I've been trying to come up with all kinds of mathmatical stats and graphs for this post, and I'm extremely lucky to have Hadyn's patient tutelage to help me. If it hadn't been for him, you'd have all kinds of data here, and it would be presented on an unreadable line graph.

Something I didn't need help for was gathering the data for this. And it's actually a new feature of the Dropkicks. You can see it here. Currently it features all international test matches from 2006-today, but I may backdate it eventually if I see the need, and I may use it for a post about the Rugby World Cup and whether the 'minnow' teams are becoming more competitive.

The first table to have a look at, because I know you want to see the stuff revolving around the All Blacks, is the 6 Nations. [if this was TV that would be a hook - You would have no choice but to stick with me to find out. But this is a blog, so it doesn't work as well... Fuck.]

The Edinburgh rugby side have revealed their new jersey to be worn in two 1872 Cup derby matches against rivals Glasgow. I'd love to be able to tell you what the significance is of the matches, 137 years after they occurred (?) - but the helpful press release doesn't tell you anything other than what they cost and why should I have to research it? You're the one trying to tell me about your great new promotion.

I guess the PR department had their hands full trying to find the only pair of aviator sunglasses in all of Scotland - I hear they had to import them after being laughed at by all and sundry. You can only take so many people looking at you quizzically and asking 'Sunglasses? What the fuck for?'

The jerseys looked garish to me at first, but they're ok. The only problem is now the jersey stands out more than the sponsors but depending on your view of the 'professionalism is killing rugby!!111!' argument, you may not see that as a problem. I think it'd look better if the collars ended at the black - or the chinese collar style was black and not tie-dye.

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Two more things before I go;

9-8.... BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

and here's a great insight into the TMO, posted on rugbydump on Friday.

May I just say I'd much rather see this at half time at Hurricanes games than cheerleaders and some guy who texted some number winning a jersey. Not to mention the 'kiss cam'.