North and South poles apart

PARIS – Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan described his side’s performance in the 32-17 defeat of minnows Namibia as horrible.

But that damning criticism could well have been applied by coaches of the other northern hemisphere heavyweights after their first matches in the World Cup. While all apart from Italy and Six Nations titleholders France emerged victorious, it was hardly with a flourish.While South Africa, Australia and New Zealand were racking up overwhelming victories over Samoa, Japan and Italy respectively, England, Ireland and Wales were scraping past the United States, Namibia and Canada.Scotland, too, had some awkward moments in their 56-10 win over debutants Portugal, a team made up of amateurs.Realistically only France and Six Nations Triple Crown holders Ireland entered the World Cup as viable contenders for the William Webb Ellis trophy.Ironically, they were the poorest performers.The Irish were honest enough to admit to how dreadful they had been against a side that conceded more than 100 points to South Africa in a warm-up match.”That was really awful,” said Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll.The French, who are in the same Pool D as the Irish and were beaten by Argentina, know they can’t afford another slip-up especially as they will have to more than likely play the All Blacks in the last eight if they finish second.While England coach Brian Ashton said England would be sharper for Friday’s crucial clash with South Africa the veteran coach was not supported back at home by the media.The Mail on Sunday said the good news from the game with the United States was England won 28-10 and there were no significant injuries to players.”Now the bad news – and it is exceedingly bad news.The defending world champions were so appallingly poor that the South African team who watched the game from their team hotel could have cracked a few ribs, such would have been the extent of their laughter,” the paper said.Springboks coach Jake White believes his team will have few problems against the English.”We have beaten England in three of the last four tests and we have South Africa’s most capped captain (Jon Smit), our most capped lock (Victor Matfield with 66) and our most experienced ever team.”That is what makes me confident.We have got the firepower and the 22 players to do it on Friday.”Veteran Wallaby George Smith believes northern hemisphere teams maybe paying the price for sending second or third string sides on their summer tours.”I’m always an advocate for, maybe not resting players, but giving players time off to recover from injuries,” said the flanker.”But as a personal thing I definitely like to be playing against the best team if it is a Test match.”Wallabies skipper Stephen Larkham, however, isn’t getting too carried away with his northern rivals’ sluggish starts.”I don’t think you want to read too much into it.In ’99 we didn’t have a very good start; 2003 we didn’t play particularly well through the pool matches either but still managed to make the final,” he said.Nampa-AFPWhile all apart from Italy and Six Nations titleholders France emerged victorious, it was hardly with a flourish.While South Africa, Australia and New Zealand were racking up overwhelming victories over Samoa, Japan and Italy respectively, England, Ireland and Wales were scraping past the United States, Namibia and Canada.Scotland, too, had some awkward moments in their 56-10 win over debutants Portugal, a team made up of amateurs.Realistically only France and Six Nations Triple Crown holders Ireland entered the World Cup as viable contenders for the William Webb Ellis trophy.Ironically, they were the poorest performers.The Irish were honest enough to admit to how dreadful they had been against a side that conceded more than 100 points to South Africa in a warm-up match.”That was really awful,” said Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll.The French, who are in the same Pool D as the Irish and were beaten by Argentina, know they can’t afford another slip-up especially as they will have to more than likely play the All Blacks in the last eight if they finish second.While England coach Brian Ashton said England would be sharper for Friday’s crucial clash with South Africa the veteran coach was not supported back at home by the media.The Mail on Sunday said the good news from the game with the United States was England won 28-10 and there were no significant injuries to players.”Now the bad news – and it is exceedingly bad news.The defending world champions were so appallingly poor that the South African team who watched the game from their team hotel could have cracked a few ribs, such would have been the extent of their laughter,” the paper said.Springboks coach Jake White believes his team will have few problems against the English.”We have beaten England in three of the last four tests and we have South Africa’s most capped captain (Jon Smit), our most capped lock (Victor Matfield with 66) and our most experienced ever team.”That is what makes me confident.We have got the firepower and the 22 players to do it on Friday.”Veteran Wallaby George Smith believes northern hemisphere teams maybe paying the price for sending second or third string sides on their summer tours.”I’m always an advocate for, maybe not resting players, but giving players time off to recover from injuries,” said the flanker.”But as a personal thing I definitely like to be playing against the best team if it is a Test match.”Wallabies skipper Stephen Larkham, however, isn’t getting too carried away with his northern rivals’ sluggish starts.”I don’t think you want to read too much into it.In ’99 we didn’t have a very good start; 2003 we didn’t play particularly well through the pool matches either but still managed to make the final,” he said.Nampa-AFP