FOR THE GROSSLY UNINFORMED

realised lately all ive been writing about happens to be about the upcoming world cup. cant be helped, too excited! and its only june!

well its a sad fact that the following of rugby among local singaporeans is few and far between. ppl will actually watch s league on tv than an international test match. so heres a brief on the main contending teams and their key players.

new zealand:
the brazil of rugby. probably the best known team in the world, but not neccessarily always the best. cant stand it when so many ppl wear the all blacks jersey blindly. currently the formidable favourites. no, lomu does not play anymore. key players include joe rokocoko and tana umaga.

south africa:
understated powerhouse. just because their country is in the god forsaken backside of Africa, few save those who are actually in the circle know that the springboks, as they are called, are very strong in rugby. strong contenders for the cup. key players include bryan habana who burns like a rocket.

australia:
the wallabies are currently the weakest of the three sounthern teams. their squad still has pretty old players like gregan, whom i feel is past his prime. but if history is anything to go by, the wallabies are one of the most consistent and reliable teams around. they were finalists at the last RWC. look out for tuquiri.

france:
six nations (the six strongest nothern teams i.e. in europe) champions, which isnt really much of anything to boast of la i think. lovely handling, well known for their running play. the french are pussies, seldom taking in the crash, often choosing to offload instead. key players are frederic michalak, vincent clerc at wing and thomas castaignede in command of the backline. underdogs which nobody takes seriously, thats why they've got my support.

england:
defending champs. but dont bother. yes ive heard girls say that johnny wilkinson is cute, after all he helped england win the last RWC with his last minute drop kick. but sorry girls, he sucks now. anyway i think they won partly because it was played in england anw. spirited effort against nz last week.

ireland:
surprise close second in the six nations, with only try difference separating them and france. dunno why pundits say they might win. i highly doubt la. they performed pretty well against the southern teams in last yrs tests tho.

the other unlikely contenders:
wales, scotland, fiji

read this mail article about the all blacks being chokers when it comes to the RWC
" This (all blacks hype) seems to happen every 4 years but then another team walks away with the cup. I think it is a conspiracy by the media to continually pump up the All Blacks chances and then hope that they lose just to say they are chokers."

there's probably some truth in it i must say.