Australia avenge 2003 defeat

There was bitter disappointment for England yesterday as they failed in their bid to become the first team to retain the rugby world cup. Fair play to the South Africans however for playing a good final and an overall great tournament, but one can only wonder what would have happened if 'that' try had been given.

The ball was set down. Cueto's leg was blatently lifted in the air while the ball was set down before he want into touch. I don't think even a South African would argue it should have been a try, so what can be said about it? Well the 4th official was none other than a scorned Aussie from 4 years ago.

Despite all of this, nothing should be taken away from a professional South African performance. They squeezed the life out of England, and never gave Jonny those much talked about drop goal chances. In the overall tournament South Africa have been the best team, never making a meal of any of their games, and in the one game where Fiji layed down the gauntlet, they were unfazed, and ran away with it.

It has probably been the best world cup ever, where the unexpected usually happened. One of the main culprits of this was Ireland. We had such hopes for Ireland this year after a promising 6 nations campaign. Some thought that we would exert revenge on France for that last minute try. But our boys really didn't answer Ireland's call. Harsh criticism perhaps, but after almost losing to minnows Georgia, and weak performances against France and the Argies, it is fair. It is so disappointing because with all the upsets, if Ireland had lived up to their billing, this really could have been their year.

In fact out of all the 6 nations, England were expected to be the most disappointing and indeed it started off that way, but they grew into this tournament and you have to applaud their never say die work ethic. I like to stick up for England as everybody else in Ireland seems to have a petty vendetta against them!

There were some great performances from the other sides this year. The pacific islands in fiji tonga and samoa showed that they were no push overs (and in fact if they were to unite would be a formidable team). France beat the All blacks, England beat the Aussies and the French, but the team of the tournament has to go to Argentina. Beating Ireland, Scotland and France twice, they really put their mark on World rugby, and they played with style as well. We can only hope they gain entry into the Tri or Six nations, because they would be well worth their place and would make things very interesting indeed.