To be below Wales is unfortunate. To be below Argentina is downright careless.
The fact that no Northern Hemisphere teams are in Rugby’s top 4 comes as no surprise after the spankings we’ve all received in the last few weeks, I suppose. Still, the fact that a team deemed not good enough to take part in the Tri-nations (Argentina) is above us all is properly depressing.
And choosing the seedings of the World Cup 3 years in advance, when Northern Hemisphere rugby is in such a state… Well, I could complain, but I can’t help feeling that these rankings are likely to stay around for a while. Only Wales looks like they might be hard done by by the current rankings. Which makes the Six Nations look like a foregone conclusion too… Heigh ho, at least we’ve got the cricketfootballsnooker darts.
In the last 5 meetings (over the last 3 years) we’ve only beaten South Africa once. It was at Twickenham and it was only just (by 2 points, 23-21). Our total points difference is 116 against in those 5 matches.
We started the tournament 279-1 outsiders. We’re still 3-1 against as compared to the Springboks 2-1 on. But:
What a day. I can’t say much, being one of the many people who consigned Northern Hemisphere rugby to certain failure this World Cup. But oh my God, I’ve never been happier to be so so wrong. France beat the All Blacks and England beat Australia in two thrilling matches. Suddenly the World Cup has come alive.
(I’m glad my South African colleague doesn’t care so much for sport. Any other South African I’ve met would be making my life hell all week after both the rugby and the cricket)
It was obvious that we had no chance of defending our title, but today’s news pretty much puts the icing on the cake.
Given our appalling showing I had pinned my hopes on the French and the Irish as the two Northern hemisphere teams with some chance, but… Even that seems painfullydistant now. Australia v New Zealand in the final, with New Zealand to win. But then we knew that months ago, didn’t we?
Two world cups this year in my two favourite sports… Somehow I should be more excited.