Dreaming the dream

Three weeks ago if it had been suggested by anyone that England would be in the final of the Rugby World Cup they might have been certified crazy on the spot.

I still cannot believe that this team has made it to the final weekend and who is now to say they cannot do it?

Tired and battered they may be but the same 15 that has beaten both Australia and France in the past two weeks has every chance of doing it one more time.

In Paris on Saturday night England, again under-dogs, beat France in a contest that was intriguing as it was uninspiring to watch.

Semi-finals are about limiting mistakes and making the most of turnover ball and the team that keeps their composure most will ultimately come out on top.

In the first 10 minutes, England had scored a try from a French mistake and the team in blue were trying drop goals from 55 yards.

The pressure of playing at home was weighing heavily again on the hosts as it had done in the first match of this tournament against Argentina.

Instead of playing an open and free-running game the French, paralysed by fear, tried to play England players at their own game in the hope of winning by one point.

For 70 minutes the strategy could have been said to be working but England have proved outstanding in tight games at this World Cup as they were in the last. As it turned out France played right into England’s hands and a penalty and drop goal from Wilkinson edged a game that was there to be won by the side that demonstrated the most composure.

There is nothing aesthetic about how England plays rugby, no free-running expansive attacking that others aspire to but they have found a game that suits them and much of it is about doing the simple things well.

In fact, it is much the same as 2003 when the power approach was plan A in every game.

The only difference this time was that no one considered this bunch of players were as good as the last ones.

However, this is why at the latter stages of a tournament England are more of a threat because this is when resolve, handling pressure and minimising errors is at a premium.

On Sunday, England found out who they would be playing because of these very reasons. Argentina base their game on a similar one to England and throughout this World Cup they have carried their strategy out to perfection. Alas, it could not last and mistake after mistake let South Africa score four tries following basic errors.

This is especially likely if the opposing team has a man like Habana who is lightening quick and given space is uncatchable as his two tries proved.

The final score of 37-13 was a touch flattering for South Africa but they have more power up front and the more ability in the backs than most sides in this competition.

England would have preferred to play Argentina, I am sure, but the last two weeks mean they fear no one now and if the previous efforts have not taken too much out of them they have a fighting chance.

The statistics indicate that South Africa will go in favourites, summer victories of 58-10 and 55-22 followed by a humiliating 36-0 win in the Group stages over England back this up.

However, if England can keep in touch until the last quarter they may be able to make a mockery of this form book which to be frank is nothing new in this eventful competition.

Outside England, France 2007 will be remembered more for the shocks than for the quality of play as many of the top nations were just not able to produce the exciting ball handling that lifts the sport.

This should be of some concern to the rugby authorities as this event is the show-piece and the one that excites youngsters and sponsors alike and if tournaments are unable to bring anything other than tension in the final 15 minutes then the sport will always struggle to gain the coverage it craves outside the big competitions.

This aside, though it has been a rollercoaster ride, this weekend will probably be no different.

England are aiming to become the first country to retain the Webb Ellis trophy and there cannot be many who thought that might happen after South Africa beat them, and the fact that it is the same team adds to the intrigue.

Given enough space and ball the South Africans will probably win but if they are denied it by the structured English game then it’s a toss of a coin who will be crowned Rugby World Champions 2007.