Today the Northern Hemisphere stepped up.......well most of it did!
By way of background this RWC has delivered a North vs South finale. Part by design, part by luck the knockout stages have pitched four Northern Hemisphere teams (England, Wales, Ireland and France) on one side of the draw, and four Southern Hemisphere teams (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina) on the other.
Today the northerners played. Wales and Ireland put on a great contest in which Wales outplayed Ireland and sent them home early. This was something of a surprise, but well played Wales and they seem to be peaking at the right time.
In the other match England were outplayed by France. A French team that has been largely indifferent to appalling in this competition so far, but today the showed passion and flair and left England in their wake. Sad, but true. England have definitely under-delivered this time.
On the plus side I will not be tempted to try and make a last minute dash to New Zealand to see England in a third consecutive final - it would have been hard if they had made it. I managed Paris last time, but New Zealand!!!!
Another plus is that we have credible Northern contenders now and the South will not walk it as some had suggested.
The final plus is that maybe this is the wake up to sort England. Where is our passion? Where is our flair? Let's hope we find it soon.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring? Could Argentina get through?
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