Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid is getting square eyes from watching the (SKY) television coverage of the Rugby World Cup, with up to three games in a row at the weekend's compulsory viewing.

Two thirds of the way through pool play, the composition of the quarterfinals is becoming clearer.

Ireland defeating the team from over the ditch was not only a surprise that brought real joys to the Emerald Green supporters, but (potentially) has put Dingo Deans' side into a elimination battle with South Africa in the first round of post-section play.

While there will be no easy games to the RWC final for the mighty All Blacks, it will mean that we will not have to play both Australia and South Africa as the seeded draw suggested.

The second key match-up, to who the All Blacks will play in post-section play, was played out on Sunday night.

Argentina won a battle of attrition with Scotland to book a likely quarterfinal berth with the All Blacks.

However, Scotland still has a theoretical chance of qualifying if they can overcome traditional rivals England in what is sure to be another battle of attrition at Eden Park next Saturday night.

However, the real joy of the 2011 RWC is the unbridled passion of the various teams' supporters that have travelled from all quarters of the globe to be here in our country for the RWC, which is heading towards the coveted best ever tag.

On Sunday, I received the privilege of taking part in the welcome and visit of a busload of passionate French rugby supporters to the Te Puna Rugby Club at Maramatanga Park.

The visit was the brainchild of Western Bay livewire Tommy Kapai, who has captured the local history of the French settlers who made Te Puna home some 150 years ago.

Te Puna links with France date back to the 1850s when Emile Joseph Borrell and Louis Bidois arrived from Normandy to reside in Te Puna.

The Borrell and Bidois families are now amongst the largest in the settlement on the outskirts of Tauranga.

What a wonderful welcome and hospitality that the Te Puna Rugby Club provided the World Cup visitors.

Coincidently, in the modern era of combined sports clubs, the Te Puna club is one of the few true to name rugby clubs in the Western Bay of Plenty.

While the rain arrived at the same time as the visitors' bus pulled into Maramatanga Park, the showers failed to dampen the goodwill and friendship shown by both host and visitor alike.

The traditional Maori challenge was certainly one of the standouts for the French visitors before welcome formalities began.

The welcome speeches and replies in tongues of Maori and French was a joy to behold before a feast from the hangi fires was laid out for all to enjoy.

A presentation was made to the visitors of a Bay of Plenty Rugby centennial jersey with all 1159 former players names up to the current season embroidered into the strip.

Particular delight was shown with the presentation of the jersey by Western Bay local politician and (once) Te Puna player Don Thwaites.

The former flying Bay winger told a little of the proud history of rugby in the Bay of Plenty to an enthralled audience.

The Te Puna Rugby Club, which is just eight years off centennial celebrations, reeks of history in the many photographs and memorabilia that line the walls of the club. One photo that stands out is a shot of Don Thwaites diving over the line to score a try for the Bay against Auckland.

The photograph that made the back sports page of the New Zealand Herald was shot by none other than New Zealand legendary lensman Peter Bush.

I see that the Tauranga City local body Pooh-Bahs say that a Rugby World Cup big screen is coming – so is Christmas.

Go the All Blacks (and the New Zealand Warriors).