Not sure what it’s been like with the bookies over the water but media savvy Bookmakers Paddypower have already paid out on the final, saying that it is forgone conclusion!

If you were looking at just this tournament you wouldn’t really have too much to argue against this, as the French have gone from a bad start to a even poorer finish! They had about 20 minutes in the English game where they showed some of the flair that we are more used to seeing from them but in truth that is about it.

I know that people can moan about the fact that they are very undeserving of their place in the final but to me it’s more of a reflection of the teams that didn’t get there. France should have been knocked out a long time ago but it’s just a fact that nobody did it, so no complaining!

Good to see that the nutter in change of the French ship is still coming out with the good ones, calling his players “spoilt” for going out for a few after their semi-final win. I’d say the very reason that they would have gone out was the fact that Lievremont didn’t want they too. But in truth, it’s been well documented that he has lost control of the dressing room and it is senior player lead now, so I don’t think that they really care what he says now. Have you noticed that in nearly his whole tenure in charge Lievremont next to never picked the same team twice, in fact I don’t think he ever did (I stand to be corrected on that bit I’m not far off!) and now all of a sudden there a same team sheets being produced, player power!!

I am well aware that I haven’t mentioned the All Blacks in this piece but I really do think that for this to be any sort of a game worth watching, it’s going to be all about wither the French turn up or not. They are the one northern side that have and can beat NZ at home… but is it likely this time, probably not but for the sake of the biggest spectacle of our lovely game we need them to turn up!

Shane

P.S. Wales to beat Australia!