It’s four days after Dan Carter starred in a demolition job over the Wallabies, and he is sitting in the Eden Rugby clubrooms, a couple of spiral kicks away from Eden Park, with a smile as wide as the 41-13 scoreline by which his team retained the Bledisloe Cup.

THE mother of surprise All Blacks hero Stephen Donald clamed her son had proven his critics wrong with a Rugby World Cup-winning performance.

THE tremendous victory of the Irish rugby team over Tri-Nations champions Australia, which united the nation (north and south), gives us all hope that this group of players (including the veteran O’Driscoll) can now push on to fulfil their destiny by lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup.

I WONDER if by this time next week we will be questioning what all the fuss was about.

WORLD CUP winning coach Jake White confirmed his departure as South Africa coach yesterday — but left with a blistering attack on organising body, SA Rugby.

SO MANY variables, so many imponderables. The performances of the Irish provinces at the last time of asking, the return of Jonny Wilkinson and the selection of Andy Farrell are but some of the issues that have clouded the destiny of this year’s Six Nations championship.

HOW the mighty have fallen. It is hard to believe that in the 15 months since Martin Johnson lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup in Sydney, England have lost seven of the 12 internationals they have played.

ASIAN champions Japan struck a blow for the World Cup also-rans when they staggered a rusty-looking Scotland side in a Pool B match in the tropical heat of Townsville yesterday.