Strange Twist

The strangest of twists really: France, the hosts of the RWC 2007, are having to play a quarter-final in the fair city of Cardiff. A blooper on a massive scale, but a situation that I feel will help them have a good crack at the Kiwis. Without the burden of expectation, France may yet shock us all and secure another famous World Cup win over the men in black (is that a trademark or something?).

Wales crashed and burned at the group stages in a glorious exhibition of rugby. Fiji (now facing the Bokke in the quarters) dismantled Wales in the first half, only for Wales to come back and put themselves on the verge of winning. One final attack from the Fijians saw them break the paperweight Welsh defence to plop the ball on the try-line to secure the win. Losing is horrible, but the match itself was outstanding and all credit should go to Fiji for putting Wales in its place. They have forced us to 11th in the world now, leap-frogging us in the process. I hope they have it in them to challenge South Africa.