By Daniel Jackson
The Rugby World Cup has come to an end and although a disappointing one for England it was an entertaining event nevertheless. It all started with the drinking scandals, the England players just having too much fun off the pitch. Players having fun?! They’re supposed to be playing Rugby! The criticism continued despite England winning all their opening matches, however when their first real challenge came against France it seemed that the critics were finally justified.
This wasn’t a World Cup to be patriotic about though, the real excitement came from England’s neighbours. A brave performance from the Irish saw them stun Australia and march past the first round. And as for Wales? You could argue they went as far as restoring some pride for the English and the Scots as the UK’s final representative. They fought their way deservedly into the semi finals where the drama of that red card awaited them. Sam Warburton sent off controversially. Was it really a red card? Would a yellow have sufficed? No time to think about it, Wales had to battle on and battle on they did but their World Cup final destiny was denied by the metal of the rugby post from Stephen Jones’ late conversion attempt. It was unlucky, it was heart braking, but it was also brilliantly breath taking.
Congratulations to New Zealand, their prominent status in Rugby finally officially assured again with that tag of World Champions. England did not perform well, but it was a tribute to the tournament as a whole that there was still plenty to enjoy about this fascinating World Cup.
