It’s been four years.

Four years since I watched almost every game of RWC at the stadium or via live telecast.

Four years since the RWC theme – The World in Union* – sent tingles down my spine each time I heard it before a game. Stirring stuff.

Four years since I was at the Telstra Dome where England got an almighty early scare but ultimately defeated the Samoans.

Four years since I witnessed Jonny Wilkinson put the boot into Australia’s cry of “Dad’s Army” during the dying minutes of the final in extra time. It was a delightful, delirious evening for me – a day after my 26th birthday – viewing the final on a big screen among a partisan home crowd at Federation Square.

My voice was hoarse from the screaming, shouting and cheering.

My grades dipped for the first and only time during my University days.

Being there was worth it. Every moment of it.

Four years on…

England’s not going to win this one.

But let the game they play in heaven begin.

My prediction: a France – New Zealand final. I would rather the All Blacks win, but I have a feeling the French rugby team will emulate their football counterparts.

P.S. Continuing on from yesterday’s topic, I want to highlight something Brian Miller wrote in yesterday’s New Paper. He pointed out that New Zealand lost to England in the semi-finals. This is wrong. New Zealand lost to Australia in the semis. England defeated France in the other semi-final.

So much for Ong Sor Fern’s trust in print media (emphases mine):

I trust these established systems of delivering information simply because there is quality control. When I read a newspaper, I can be assured that the journalist is subject to a code of ethics, his work has been audited by editors and his sources verified.

* Based on Gustav Holst’s Jupiter from The Planets, which also became music for the hymn I Vow to Thee, My Country.

UPDATE Ah, after I put my prediction in print, France decide that they don’t really want to win the Rugby World Cup. It’ll be an uphill task for them to reach the final if they qualify second in their group. And it might mean a match up with New Zealand earlier in the tournament. Maybe France will end up beating them on their way to the final! They are that kind of team. Capable of being totally insipid on one day, and being world-beaters the next. But Argentina played really well. Congrats to them on their gutsy win!