Coming for to carry it home

RUGBY: Let's get one thing clear in our minds, finals are rarely classics. That we oughtn't to hold our collective breaths in anticipation of a free-flowing try feast in the Rugby World Cup 2003 decider is probably a good idea. That way, we can only be pleasantly surprised, writes Gerry Thornley in Sydney.

In truth there's nothing new here, as there have only been seven tries in the four previous finals, none of which could be said to have been an aesthete's delight. Yet the two with the lowest try tallies, 1991 (when Australia scored one try in their 12-6 win over England at Twickenham) and 1995 (when Joel Stransky's extra-time drop goal completed a tryless affair) were at least intense and in doubt until the final whistle.

This match-up could follow similar lines. It is no coincidence, as English defensive coach Phil Larder observed during the week, that the two best defensive sides in the tournament have reached the final. At least neither are as parsimonious as the victorious Wallabies of four years ago, who conceded only one try in their six games - they've conceded six tries this time while England have leaked seven.

Such is the increased enmity between them, they've both got the opponents they wanted. Nothing stirs an Aussie quite like the supposedly arrogant Poms (though they've been anything but here) and both Clive Woodward and Larder have said they wanted the champions on their home turf. It would leave no room for argument.

Australia can claim to have won the ones that mattered most, like the 1991 decider and, to a degree, the Lions series two years ago, but England have won the last four meetings, including a first win in Australia in 11 attempts in June. The Wallabies are a much changed outfit from then, a much better one who have either had an almighty one-off against the All Blacks or hit form at the right time.

Yet, despite Clive Woodward's dismissal of the notion, there is a sense that destiny calls England. Even all those bitter Grand Slam defeats to Wales, Scotland, France and Ireland seem part of the deal, no less than finally delivering in fine style at Lansdowne Road in March. Twenty-one wins out of 22 is hard to quibble with.

By comparison, can the Wallabies regenerate the unexpected white-hot intensity of last week in downing the fancied All Blacks? They'll surely have to produce another inspired, virtually error-free performance, which will mean moving it through the hands and recyling it inside their own half.

Because, not only is it the game that best suits them, and Stephen Larkham in particular, and is likely to stretch England wider than they've sought to go thus far, but whichever team has the most possession will win the match.

Simple as that probably.

And England will assuredly endeavour to invoke Jack Charlton's mantra, to "put 'em undah pressah". Everywhere. At scrum time, where the inexperienced Al Baxter has replaced the injured Ben Darwin, at lineout time, and in every tackle situation. It's what Ireland sought to do, and it's what the All Blacks failed to do.

"We're going to try and put pressure on them all over the field the whole game," admitted Martin Johnson in midweek. "That's what the game is about. It's a massive pressure game. Everybody has got to stand up. We're going to try and pressure their setpiece, we're going to try and pressure them with the ball, try and pressure them with our kicking game and vice versa. They'll try and do exactly the same to us. No real secrets out there. And whether you're a veteran or relatively inexperienced, you've got to stand up to the mark on Saturday night, and be counted."

If their tight five stand up to the mark like they did last week when brilliantly wearing down their French counterparts, then with the Richard Hill-Neil Back-Lawrence Dallaglio axis backed by the streetwise Matt Dawson, England look better equipped to apply the pressure close-in at the gain line. And, of course, if territory comes with the ensuing pressure and position, then Jonny Wilkinson will assuredly pilot them to the William Webb Ellis Trophy.

Across the line, England still look as good, and it wouldn't be surprising if England won with flair if they had to. For example, Stirling Mortlock looks to be the Wallabies' gamebreaker in chief, but opposite him is the often underrated Will Greenwood, the leading try-scorer in both the 2001 and 2002 Six Nations, and England's joint leading scorer here. Worth a punt for first try-scorer.

If the weather stays stiflingly humid and dry, the better for Australia's young tyros. If the forecast showers materialise, and heavily, then Australia probably needn't turn up.

Johnson and the English players, no differently from the Australians, will rendezvous at 11 a.m. on the morning of this final to check on everybody's wellbeing, and then will have the day to contemplate what lies ahead before coming together again at 5 p.m.

The dressing-room will be calm, according to Woodward. They'll talk about the kick-off and focus on the first 10 minutes, which could be vital in what is likely to be a lowish-scoring, tight game between the two best defensive teams in the world.

According to the Eminem song, "you only get one shot", although the likes of George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, and four of the Aussie subs and England's Jason Leonard, are fortunate enough to get two finals in a lifetime.

So taken was Woodward with Eminem's words when reproduced in this paper on the morning of the England-Ireland Grand Slam decider last March it's said to be one of his two favourite CDs in his car.

"Look . . . if you had . . . one shot . . . or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted . . . one moment Would you capture it . . . or just let it slip?"