BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | My Rugby World Cup fantasy



By Zinzan Brooke All Black legend and BBC Sport Online columnist

Are England the best team in the world? Do they have what it takes to lift the World Cup in Sydney on 22 November 2003?

Or will they fall in the final stages, causing chaos at the Rugby Football Union headquarters in Twickenham and prompting Clive Woodward to resign?

It's a difficult proposition, but if the tournament kicked off today, here is my lowdown on who would be singing alongside Rolf and Kylie at the closing ceremony.

It's pure fantasy of course - isn't it?

The tournament begins with the Aussies taking on the ferocious Pumas in Pool A - the undoubted "group of death".

The Wallabies fail to sparkle, running out 22-15 against the South Americans and undergo another tough test against the boys in green to claim a 27-25 victory. The rugby-loving public, however, is far from convinced.

Elsewhere, there are no major upsets, with a dangerously pacy France taking the plaudits in Pool B above Scotland.

The big game in Pool C sees England bashing the Boks into second place, but there is no repeat of the Springboks' Twickenham fiasco.

Three late Jonny Wilkinson penalties seal a 29-20 victory, while in Pool D New Zealand ease into top spot above a brave but lacklustre Wales side.

So far so good for the world's top teams, but the real competition is yet to begin.

The quarter-finals line up as follows:

New Zealand v South Africa

Australia v Scotland

France v Ireland

England v Wales

Despite the Boks' good showing against England, the Kiwis prove too strong and become the first team to book their semi-final place with a blistering 36-16 victory.

Scotland cause Australia a number of problems and at 15-9 up at half-time the whisky begins to flow.

But, true to form, the Aussies come back strongly in the second-half and two Wendell Sailor tries ultimately seal the match.

Ireland put up a brave showing against France, but the absence of injured captain Brian O'Driscoll hits them hard. France prove merciless in the final quarter and look the form team to notch up an impressive 28-9 victory.

With one match to go, all of Wales is praying that the boys in red can finally become men against England.

Wilkinson's boot gives England the edge over France - or does it?
Inspired by Iestyn Harris, who at last seems to have made the transition from league to union, Wales surge into an unexpected 12-3 lead.

But discipline lets them down and England eventually settle, to score four second-half tries and book the last semi-final spot.

The public gasps as it becomes clear the World Cup final will again be a 'clash of the hemispheres'.

New Zealand face Australia in the first semi, while France take on England in the second.

Both games prove tantalising.

The Aussies, alas, succumb to a New Zealand side who, under John Mitchell, seem to have captured the ferocity of old.

Lomu comes off the bench in the final 10 and grabs a blistering try, but the match is already safe thanks to two superb breaks from man-of-the-match Doug Howlett.

New Zealand run out 35-14 winners.

England notch up 30 points to France's 10 by the break

But who will be joining them?

Inspired by Wilkinson, who kicks three conversions and three penalties, England notch up 30 points to France's 10 by the break.

The game is over. Or is it?

With nothing to lose, the French play with a spirit and flair that sends Woodward's side reeling. It is the match of the tournament. France 35, England 33.

Your say: England's best ever side?

And so the final arrives. The All Blacks versus France. Flair and power in equal capacity.

The whistle blows, the ball is kicked high into the Sydney air.

For those on the pitch the next 80 minutes will be among the most important of their lives. History is about to be made.

The winner? Well, you'll have to decide for yourselves. My head says France, my heart, of course, the All Blacks.

One thing's for sure, it would be a cracker of a game. Roll on November 2003!


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