All Smiles Now in the Land of the Long White Cloud

With the 2008 Tri-Nations series past the halfway point, there is everything to play for with all three sides still in it. New Zealand recently the series lead by giving Australia a 39-10 thumping, but South Africa is also in a comfortable position with three consecutive home matches in a row to come.

While there is a lot left to the tournament, the win over the Wallabies has spirits lifted in New Zealand. Although New Zealand was under a fair bit of pressure before the match, things are looking up for the world's most rugby-mad nation. This is perhaps no better emphasized than by the joyous tone of the Alternative Rugby Commentary coverage provided by Jed Thian during the most recent match. Highlights are below, and Thian seems to sound a fair bit more cheerful than he did during commenting on the All Blacks' recent losses to Australia and South Africa(Caution: Profanity, rude language, etc.):

Part 1:


Part 2: