The excitement of the Rugby World Cup is over, but we can still celebrate one of the happiest moments in New Zealand sporting history by buying the ‘World in Union’ album. It is the perfect sing-along CD to celebrate rugby’s biggest event and the All Blacks win. Wherever you are in the world, this album will provide the perfect soundtrack to relax on those warm summer evenings.

The ‘World In Union’ features 22 tracks recorded by some of the worlds top opera singers in celebration of the Rugby World Cup. It opens and closes with the title track ‘World In Union’ which is the global anthem for all Rugby World Cups. The 2011 album features Hayley Westenra who is one of New Zealand’s top singers. She follows in the footsteps of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa whose song was in the Rugby World Cup 1991version. Westenra has not only recorded the song in English and Maori, but also in Italian, French and Japanese. She is one talented young woman.

The CD also features songs from successful singers such as Brian Kennedy, Russell Watson and Laura Wright who recorded songs representing the participating nations. Hayley Westenras performance of our national anthem, God Defend New Zealand, is bound to give you goose bumps and make you feel proud to be a kiwi.

The ‘World In Union’ album is the perfect gift for any loved one. You can also download the album via iTunes. Whether you love rugby or not, this is a CD for your collection. Turn the volume up, close your eyes and go back to the memories of the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup in Eden Park.

Rugby is the most popular sport in New Zealand and often when a child is asked what they want to be when they grow up they will reply “an All Black”. If you are an All Black in the making or are serious about your rugby, then this is the buying guide for you. With a huge variety of rugby boots out there, it is often a very tedious task trying to choose which boot and brand is best. With the advances in sportswear and sports science, the modern ranges of rugby boots are equipped to deal with the physical pressures of rugby to ensure that you will be at your peak performance.

Studs: The studs are a significant consideration when choosing boots. Some rugby boots are made with studs specifically for grass and some are made with studs that are screwed in so that they can be adjusted depending on the conditions. Short studs are perfect for hard fields and longer studs should be used for muddy and grassy fields. If the wrong type of studs are worn it can be dangerous to the other players and you will also not be able to play to your full potential.

Foot Style: When you are out looking for boots you should find out your running style and if you are flat-footed or have a high arch. Rugby boots are now lighter than ever to ensure that rugby players can move around the park at their fastest pace. When trying on boots you should look for one that is flexible and feels like it is moulded to your foot to ensure that your foot can bend correctly.

Material: Rugby boots are constructed with a variety of fabrics. A typical rugby match contains a lot of kicking and running and the boot material needs to be able to handle these strains. Leather boots are great for dry conditions but may not be ideal for wet conditions as they will stretch when they are wet. Synthetic rugby boots perform well in both conditions. The expense of the boot is usually dependent on the material used.

Cuts: The postion that you play is important when choosing the cut of the boot. Forwards rely on their lower body strength for scrums. Therefore high ankle cut boots are best as they provide additional support around the ankle. High cut boots should also be brought if you are prone to ankle injuries. Backs will often suit low cut boots for mobility and kickers usually suit snug fitting boots.

Keeping your boots clean: It is important that your boots are maintained properly by cleaning them after each game and making sure that you let them dry out. After a wet muddy game cleaning your boots is often the last thing on your mind but that extra effort will ensure that your boots last longer. Try to leave them to dry in fresh air rather than artificial air. Artificial air can cause the boots to crack.

With the Rugby World Cup in full swing, there will be many future All Blacks out there trying to find the perfect pair of boots. Look for quality boots that will suit your playing style and provide you with the adequate amount of stability and support. The most important thing is to ensure that your boots are comfy so that you are playing to your best ability and help steer your team to victory.