IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER

One of the great things about sport is that until the final whistle blows, anything can happen. Two rugby matches this weekend proved that point yet again.

On Saturday, England played New Zealand at Wembley in the semi-final of the rugby league World Cup. New Zealand, the holders, had had a great tournament, scoring almost at will. But England have improved recently and really felt that they had a chance. It was a bruising contest, with England starting well, followed by New Zealand coming back and going ahead. Then, with 13 minutes to go, England scored a converted try to lead 18-14. The last period was frenetic, as New Zealand threw everything at the English defence, which held. Until a high tackle on a New Zealand forward led to a penalty and one last chance for the visitors. Shaun Johnson somehow eluded two England players to score a try to level the scores at 18-18; and then kicked the decisive conversion for a 20-18 result with the last kick of the game.

Today the New Zealand All Blacks were taking on Ireland at rugby union. The All Blacks are world champions and were aiming to become the first team in the professional era to win all their test matches in a calendar year. In 109 years of trying, Ireland have never beaten them, losing 26 of 27 matches, with only one draw back in 1973. However, New Zealand had nearly lost to England last weekend and were looking a bit end-of-season tired. Ireland came out roaring, scored three tries and led 19-0. New Zealand fought back gradually, but Ireland defended doggedly and it was still 22-17 as the clock ran down. With 30 seconds left, New Zealand were awarded a penalty, decided to run it, and finally scored a try almost two minutes after normal time (in rugby union the game continues after normal time until the first stoppage, and the try was the first stoppage). Aaron Cruden missed the conversion; but the Irish had run out too quickly, he was allowed to take it again, and he made it, giving New Zealand a 24-22 win.

If you were a New Zealand rugby fan, it must have been a great weekend. For everyone else, it was just great to watch.

Walter Blotscher