Radicalism needed for ‘unsung heroes’ as top eight make last eight

FORTY games and over three weeks of rugby concluded yesterday, with the IRB’s eight seeded teams all safely through to the last eight on schedule.

England's 111-13 annihilation of Uruguay, and New Zealand's thrilling 53-37 win over Wales brought the curtain down on the first act of rugby's showcase event, which despite some bright moments, was by far too predictable.

And while that sets up an enticing prospect for the eight games that remain through to the final here on November 22, it does little to stifle the growing chorus of criticism over the way the competition is organised.

The 12 departing sides all said they had enjoyed the experience and wanted more, and the Australian public certainly gave these unsung heroes something to smile about, but they all departed with at least one chip on their shoulder.

The Pacific Islanders Fiji, Samoa and Tonga complained that the big three of Australia, New Zealand, and England are pilfering their best players, and preventing them from turning out for their countries.

Italy, Argentina, and the United States said that they were the victims of a scheduling that is heavily biased in favour of the traditional powers. Romania and Canada bemoaned their fall from grace. And Namibia, Uruguay, and Georgia can only go home and lick their wounds.

The IRB chief Syd Miller agrees something has to be done, and has pledged to look into the matter, but just what is to be done remains to be seen. "There are no easy solutions. But maybe we need to be a bit more radical," was his summation of the problem.

But if the IRB was on the defensive over the haves and the have-nots, the competition has been relatively scandal-free so far. In an extreme, and at times complex human-contact sport, only four players have been cited and sanctioned.

One-sided no-contests aside there were some sparkling moments of rugby, notably the three spectacular tries run in by explosive Fiji winger Caucaunibuca, Samoan captain Semo Sititi's try to put his side 10-0 up over England, and the Irish and Welsh performances against Australia and New Zealand.

But the real contest has yet to begin. New Zealand will be stretched by a South African side which has rebounded well from the poor form, and racism row, that had many pundits ruling them out in the build-up.

And France, probably the pick of the big teams in the first round, are next in line for an Ireland side, that coach Eddie O'Sullivan says should be respected for its skill and talent, rather than the usual "fighting spirit."

Scotland will struggle to match the Irish effort against Australia, while it would be a major upset if the Welsh can derail the English bandwagon.