Out of Tune

It is over for another four year, the Rugby World Cup that is. For the next four years the Springboks can call themselves World Champions. And deservedly so I believe, despite what Ben Darwin (crap prop) and Ben Tune might have us believe on Channel 10 (Aus).

The Boks won because they were experienced and had the best balance of all the teams in the quarters. Think about it, the Wallabies had a origami like scrum, the All-Blacks a dodgy lineout, the Poms could complete a backline move against a fresh air fifteen, the Frogs and Argies lacked composure and eventually Fuji's fitness was going to be telling.

South Africa on the hand had a commendable scrum, a capable backline and a peerless lineout. Furthermore, they had composure and experience when it matters the most.

As I said, deserved winners.

However, as an Australian resident I have an idea about why the Wallabies sucked. I'll tell you why they went home early and in tears and the answer is New Zealand.

I have noticed that in Australia there are only two teams who play Rugby: Australia and New Zealand. During the quarter final loss to England I felt that the Wallabies were really just warming up for an expected Semi against NZ. All the talk in the press was the anticipated Trans-Tasman clash. It reeks of conceit, and is a deep rooted problem in Aussie Rugby. It is a psychological thing in Australia; they believe that as long as they can beat NZ then nothing else matters. Just look at the Medias reaction when NZ lost to France. "At least we didn't choke" screamed on headline. Well, unfortunately you did. You choked on your own arrogance and took your opponents far too lightly.

This leads me to Mr Tune and Mr Darwin. Both seem regard today's World Cup finalists as inferior to the Wallabies. Indeed, Tune hinted that the only reason that SA were in the final was a lucky draw. I concede that SA probably had a slightly easier draw but they also had to beat England twice. Something no other team managed once, including the Wallabies.

Anyhow, well done Bokke, you made my cry today. Thank you.