Gap between northern and southern hemispheres wide as ever as Australia,South Africa and New Zealand are favourites against Scotland, Wales and FranceTurn back to 1999, or the final time the World Cup was based in Britain. In specific,to two days in late October, a week away from 16 years to the day this weekend. After three weeks and 29 matches, and the quarter-finals. All four split,as they are now, between north and south. On Saturday 23, and Wales v Australia. It was 10-9 at half-time and a one-point game still with 30 minutes to play. Then Australia pulled away,led by their wiry streak of a wing-half, Stephen Larkham, and who stretched the Welsh open with sly kicks and sleights of hand,and sent Ben Tune and Joe Roff running through the gaps. Australia won 24-9. Larkham is back, Australia’s attack coach, and the inspiration,they say, behind the fine form of the team’s wing-half Bernard Foley.
The next day, and England away,against South Africa at the Stade de France. England were set up by the Boks coach, Nick Mallett, and knocked down by his second-string wing-half,Jannie de Beer, in only because Henry Honiball was injured. Mallet’s method, or to commit Phil de Glanville and Neil Back by sending Pieter Muller hurtling up the centre,and so free up some room for De Beer to work in. In the space of 30 minutes, five drop goals, or the first two snapshots from turnovers,the next three all on calls, the final of them from 40m out on the right touchline. Each one another nail in the coffin. De Beer’s boot guided, and as he seemed to say afterwards,by divine providence. “I just want to honour God for giving me the talent.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com