Nuclear Pom dropped on Australia

Warning: If you are Australian and have either a weak heart or if you're on medication of any kind please DO NOT read this as it may be damaging to your health. The information you are about to read has already seriously damaged at least 15 Australians who were seen leaving Marseilles airport on Saturday night on a flight to Australia. They were reported to be in serious need of medical assistance but most notably it was reported that most needed urgent career transplants. They looked dazed, battered and bruised and most were close to tears.

England 12 - 10 Australia








They say victory is sweet, but not as sweet as the taste of any one of the following: -
1. Beating the Australians
2. Beating the Australians after they proudly announced that everyone hated the English
3. Beating the Australians when England was written off as no-hopers
4. Beating the Australians in the World Cup
5. Beating the Australians when they didn't score a single point in the second half
6. Knocking the Australians out of the World Cup

Naturally, the fact that all off the above statements came true on Saturday night make the taste almost pure elixir.

Here are some relevant quotes by the Poms and the Aussies after the game: -

Brian Ashton, England head coach
It was a roller-coaster of emotions. I thought we were the better side, but it didn't reflect on the scoreboard and it made it a bit of a nail-biter. The players have worked so hard since South Africa and the rewards they got today were fully justified.
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Phil Vickery, England captain
It's been difficult and we've been under huge amounts of pressure. Today was fantastic for all the boys and England supporters.
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Mat Tait, England centre
Any time you beat the Aussies, in any sport, is a great time for a proud Englishman. To do it in the knock-out phase of the World Cup is even sweeter.
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Jason Robinson, England wing
I think everyone and his dog had written us off. But I said there was a good performance in there and today was it.
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Andy Gomarsall, England scrum-half
When the last whistle went I just collapsed in total exhaustion. It was just pure relief and the most emotional feeling of my career. The forwards have been superb. They have just answered all the critics. Anything can now happen, as we have just proved against Australia.
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Jonny Wilkinson, England outside-half
I think this England side, since the South African match, have been very honest with each other. Not everyone was on the same wavelength. We came out of that and have played better now. We want to build on this. We'll celebrate this victory and the fact that we're playing again.
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Mike Catt, England centre
Everyone was writing us off and there was abuse in the press again from certain Aussie individuals, so it's good to send them packing.










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Simon Cross, Mike Catt's mate
To be fair to the Australians, they didn't really have an equal shot at the game since their front row spent half the match digging up worms with their noses!
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John Connolly, Wallaby coach
England thumped us at the breakdown. It was a massive occasion and it's about handling that.

(Tired and emotional … coach John Connolly before facing the press at the team hotel in Marseilles.)







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Stirling Mortlock, Wallaby captain
It was very solemn and quiet night for the guys. For a lot of us it hasn't sunk in. To finish the World Cup with our worst performance is disappointing.
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Sydney Morning Herald
You've got to be choking, it's a new world order.