Unusual results.

This weekend has been one for unusual results, and no, I am not referring to Andy Murray beating Rafa Nadal, although well done to him for that. Nor am I talking about Leeds Rhinos finishing 5th in the Super League and then winning the bloody thing (obtuse as this phenomenon is), but again well done to them for that. No, as is my wont recently, and completely since coming to blogger.com, I am referring to The Rugby World Cup.

At first glance it may not seem so odd. Ok, so England were expected to beat France and didn't, but apart from that it is fairly standard procedure, New Zealand, Australia and Wales make up the final four along side France. Had someone told you this would be the case a year ago then it probably wouldn't have been such a surprise. However, take one look at the pools and you see my point; Wales, France and Australia were all group runners-up. When Ireland beat Australia, many, including me, bemoaned the break down of the IRB's seeding system in the World Cup, designed to get the best teams through to the later rounds to make a better tournament.

However, without wanting to spout clichés, the World Cup is eight weeks long, not five, and the remaining sides have reached their peak at the right time. teams cannot peak for eight weeks or they would simply run out of juice. Ireland are a great example of this. Whilst I am in no doubt that they were comprehensively beaten by a better Welsh side and did not do themselves a disservice in their Quarter final, they obviously had their objectives wrong, focussing on a group game which could be lost against Australia, and then getting caught up in their victory. I am sure the Irish were thrilled with their victory over the Wallabies, and it could certainly prove a stumbling block in the minds of the men in yellow, I am sure they would have been happier with a loss to Australia and then a win over Wales? No? - Don't get me wrong, I was chuffed to bits when Ireland beat the Aussies, but not as chuffed as when Wales beat the Irish.

My friend Chris, also a Wales fan, posted on his Facebook wall that according to the World Cup, Tonga are better than England, because Tonga beat France who beat England. This is obviously not entirely true, and if we look at it this way the South Africa v Australia result is skew-whiff - South Africa beat Wales who beat Ireland who beat Australia. The World Cup is a combination of league and cup rugby, and generally the best team at both wins. New Zealand are (generally) not good at knock out rugby, and thus have only won the cup once despite being favourites more times than not. And so generally the best team there wins the cup, which not only involves playing good rugby, but being fit, having confidence and keeping your nerve.