ENDGAME

Well, it's nearly over - the rugby world cup that is. And believe it or not, those under achievers, the English (who got hammered in the six nations and who have played poorly throughout the season) are in the final, to play the South African Springboks.

The traditional 'superteams' of world rugby have been eliminated in the quarter finals (New Zealand and Australia). NZ beaten by France, Australia by England (how sore are THEY feeling - Australia that is - they hate England). NZ must be feeling pretty disappointed as well actually.

So it all comes down to Sunday morning in France. Can the Poms be the first team to defend the cup? Or will the Boks ruin the party? The smart money's on the Boks apparently. There has been a lot of talk concerning the different styles of play between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. I don't pretend to understand it fully but it has something to do with the Poms slowing down the play at the breakdown. The Wallabies were crying about it after their defeat.

Fact is, my antipodean cry babies, it's the world cup, and as long as the rules are followed however they're interpreted, you can cry all you want. You were beaten fair and square. Suck it up buddy!