ard mhacha,

If memory and match statistics are correct, there were two tries, wingers tries, both magnificent, both relied on the judgement and experience of the players who scored them. Each side took every opportunity to kick in their attempts to put points on the board, the English side were just ahead in their ability in that department of the game.

Possession and time in the opponents half, both statistics very heavily in England's favour. But for one handling error there would have been two England tries. England always looked like they were about to score. In the second half, during passages of play by the Australians, even after five phases of play, time after time, they completely failed to cross the gain line.

The game was flowing enough, it was certainly exciting enough, nothing dour about it at all - Ard - Don't confuse sport with entertainment, as I've said before, that has never been what World Cup Finals are about - It's purely about winning. All the record books will tell you is that the 2003 Rugby World Cup was won by England, the first Northern Hemisphere side to win the trophy.

While weather conditions may dictate the course of a game - they most certainly cannot dominate it - conditions being the same for both sides.