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 24/9/07
Tonga will not be pushovers for England this
Friday. A match which most thought a
formality before the tournament commenced is
now a straight knockout game.
Relief was the overwhelming emotion on
display in Nantes on Saturday as England
found the third gear required to overcome
Samoa and the first hurdle towards
qualifying for the last eight.
We can talk about the positive impact that
Jonny Wilkinson's presence brought to the
side, we can debate the continuing
sub-standard nature of his tactical kicking
(which Chris Latham will thrive on should
England win Friday), but perhaps this is a
time to acknowledge the spirit of the
tournament as much as the tactics - which
can wait for another day.
Nantes was a fine affair, one which will
remain a happy memory for those who made it
to this fine city.
We may have debated the palpitating
excitement of the game itself had Tonga not
risen to the challenge of South Africa and
delivered the match of the tournament up to
date.
One fortunate bounce of the ball and a win
that would have eclipsed any shock through
the long annals of the sport, so close and
such credit goes to these small nations with
huge hearts.
Tonga will not be pushovers for England this
Friday. A match which most thought a
formality before the tournament commenced is
now a straight knockout game.
Home nations
The same applies to Wales against Fiji - who
have the talent but probably not the
technique to take the Welsh to the limit.
Scotland is another home nations side whose
big date has arrived. Unlike the Tonga
match, this collision has been slowly
building but I suspect Scotland have it in
them to beat Italy team whose confidence has
never recovered from the pummelling at the
hands, and feet, of the All Blacks.
Then, Friday night and Ireland have to score
four tries and prevent Gus Pichot's Pumas
remaining within seven points. If the
debacles that have been the Georgia and
French matches are Eddie O'Sullivan's low
points, this achievement would represent a
peak.
The odds are against them with Argentina,
marshalled by their scrum-half, confident of
winning the game to give themselves a shot
at the semi-finals against Scotland or
Italy.
If that does transpire France, the hosts,
head to Cardiff and a showdown with New
Zealand. The Blacks were indifferent against
Scotland's second string but this fixture
was never part of the French planning for
2007.
What a weekend we have ahead of us, starting
Friday with that Tonga clash in Paris where
my man of the tournament thus far, the
magnificently proud and skilled Tongan
flanker and captain, Nili Latu - along with
the considerable bonus of Toulouse's Finau
Maka - will take their shot at Tongan rugby
immortality.
After South Africa's close call, Brian
Ashton's men are not likely to be
complacent.
STUART BARNES |
SKY Sports | Monday, 24 September 2007 |
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