2003 World Cup Highs and Lows

The lowlights 1 Australia 142, Namibia 0 Now, dear Aussies, that really was the ultimate in boring.

2 National Anthems

Opera-ised, and butcherised. Virtually devoid of passion, they even managed to minimalise Le Marseillaise, which is quite an achievement. The ridiculous suits didn't exacly do much for the singers, with the honorable exception of Colleen Shannon and her French counterpart.

3 The weather

I know, compared to November at home, we mustn't grumble, but we were warned of hot, sunny days and balmy nights on hard surfaces with a dry ball. But apparently all that ceased just before we arrived. Instead we got lousy weather, far too much rain and some matches that were simply ruined. Yeah, summertime begins next weekend here.

4 England-France semi-final

Worst example of number three. Rarely has a match held such promise and been rendered so anti-climactic by the conditions. You could have called it off at half-time.

5 Ireland's display against France

You feared the worst beforehand, and this time you could probably have called it off after five minutes. Fortunately, France effectively did after 50.

6 Half-empty seats in Telstra Dome

Caused by over-priced tickets and Melbourne's indifference. It's said that if the Wallabies lose the semi-final they needn't have left the country. They could have just moved to Melbourne.

7 Refereeing

Yeah, generally good and probably of the highest standard yet. But the apparent leaning in favour of the bigger or better supported teams, especially the Wallabies, stuck in the craw.

8 The Australian media

Mostly one-eyed and propagandist in print, and bland and uninspired on the box.

9 ITV's coverage

It was mostly Ing-er-land all the way. How could they demote an All Blacks-Springboks World Cup quarter-final to the scarcely accessible ITV2? And, thus, how can the IRB justify already giving ITV first option instead of BBC for France 2007?

10 Unfair scheduling

The scheduling against the lesser rugby nations and in favour of the elite eight - supposedly to suit the demands of television - was a scandal.

The highlights

1 Australia

Just a great country, even if John Howard is Prime Minister and it's becomng more and more Americanised. Couldn't think of any other rugby country where I'd rather spend seven weeks, except maybe France. Roll on 2007, and let them be sole hosts. This was further vindication of why just one country hosting works best.

2 The crowds and the public

20,000+ for USA v Japan, 28,000+ for Georgia and Uruguay, 62,000+ for the third-place play-off. A riot of colour everywhere.

Australia buys into the concept of hosting something better than anyone else in the world. Great grounds too mostly, though too many oval stadiums.

3 Keith Wood

For any number of reasons (dummy and offload for Quinlan's try against Argentina perhaps being the pick). Inspiring man, what a comeback/finale all rolled into one. We'll never see his like again.

4 Carlos Spencer and his All Blacks

When in full flow. Damn the begrudgers.

5 Ireland's performance against Australia

Yep, a bit too raw-boned for some tastes and certainly lacking in correct decision-making when Ireland had put themselves into a winning position. Maybe you had to be there, but the surge by the team and support during the second half was the highlight of Ireland's involvement.

6 The Samoans

Especially their performance against England. Such remarkable dexterity, athleticism and ball-handling skills. Man for man and pound for pound, probably the best rugby nation in the world, who grow another foot when representing their little island. Fiji and Japan weren't too far behind as eye-catching minnows either.

7 Namibian coach Dave Waterston's press conferences

"I've got a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue which I'm going to consult tonight and come up with a plan," after the loss to the Pumas and on facing the Wallabies. "I feel like the captain of the Titanic," after the ensuing 142-0 loss. "If you're a ref and you want the big appointments, you've got to lick the backsides of some of the top nations." Saying it like he saw it. Certainly in contrast to the blandness of Eddie Jones and the taciturn replies of ol' stoneface John Mitchell, worth clambouring over colleagues for.

8 Wales's performances

Against New Zealand and England. In widesporead expectation of two hammerings, the way they ran the ball and scored seven tries in those two games was Samoan-like. And then coach Steve Hansen saying they were planning this all along, just didn't want to show their hand. It can't be true, can it?

9 The final

A record 82,957 even managed to give the anthems a bit of fervour, the sense of occasion never wavered for a second, and it was the right outcome.

10 Austin Healey

Going all the way to OZ to just come back again. Oh, how we laughed.