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| 'Now listen, Christopher. Who's in charge here?' Nigel Owens puts England captain Chris Robshaw in his place |
TWICKENHAM will raise a special cheer for the Best of British as the Southern Hemisphere's greatest rivals battle out the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final.
The home nations may have been brushed aside without even troubling the semi-final fixture schedule. But while New Zealand and Australia have been unquestionably the two best sides, hosts England deserve some credit it too. Not so much for their dubious achievement in becoming the first host nation to be knocked out in the pool stages, but for making a more than decent fist of organising a hugely successful programme which enabled fans throughout the country to taste live action at the unlikeliest of venues.
Who will ever forget Japan's unbelievable victory over the mighty Springboks in Brighton, of all places? Or mighty France running out in the unlikely setting of Milton Keynes? Or the eventual finalists lining up for action at Aston Villa and Newcastle United's historic football stadiums?
One thing is for certain. Britain - or to be specific a diminutive Welshman with a penchant for witty one-liners - will wield more influence on tomorrow's result than any individual player. And that includes New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw, the most-capped player in history, who will be making his 148th appearance in All Black colours. When it comes to rugby refereeing, Nigel Owens is, quite simply, the best. He is also around 5ft 6in of fearlessness – and the bigger the trangressor, the harsher the admonishment he's likely to receive from no-nonsense Nigel.
Take, for instance, Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg's dive against South Africa at St James' Park that would have done any Newcastle United striker proud. ''Try it again and come back in two weeks to play,'' Owens warned red-faced Hogg.
Openly-gay Owens is also happy to make self-deprecating comments about his sexuality. In one match, after a particularly wonky Harlequins lineout, he chided the hooker: '"I’m straighter than that one.”And when he was invited to Buckingham Palace earlier this month, along with players from various countries, he announced on Twitter: ''Well I have met a few Queens in my time - some of you even say I am one. But on the way to Buckingham Palace now to meet the real one.''
And what do tomorrow's mighty combatants think of little Nigel?
Well, let's just say that the All Blacks like him, while the Wallabies do not exactly bounce with joy over the results of previous matches he has officiated. Which is one reason why I take McCaw's reigning champions to become the first reigning champions to successfully defend the trophy - and also the first to win it three times. The score? Around 20-12...and if I get it all wrong, I'm signing off immediately until 2019.
Scoreline? Around 20-12...and if I get it all wrong, I'm signing off immediately until 2019.
The home nations may have been brushed aside without even troubling the semi-final fixture schedule. But while New Zealand and Australia have been unquestionably the two best sides, hosts England deserve some credit it too. Not so much for their dubious achievement in becoming the first host nation to be knocked out in the pool stages, but for making a more than decent fist of organising a hugely successful programme which enabled fans throughout the country to taste live action at the unlikeliest of venues.
Who will ever forget Japan's unbelievable victory over the mighty Springboks in Brighton, of all places? Or mighty France running out in the unlikely setting of Milton Keynes? Or the eventual finalists lining up for action at Aston Villa and Newcastle United's historic football stadiums?
One thing is for certain. Britain - or to be specific a diminutive Welshman with a penchant for witty one-liners - will wield more influence on tomorrow's result than any individual player. And that includes New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw, the most-capped player in history, who will be making his 148th appearance in All Black colours. When it comes to rugby refereeing, Nigel Owens is, quite simply, the best. He is also around 5ft 6in of fearlessness – and the bigger the trangressor, the harsher the admonishment he's likely to receive from no-nonsense Nigel.
Take, for instance, Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg's dive against South Africa at St James' Park that would have done any Newcastle United striker proud. ''Try it again and come back in two weeks to play,'' Owens warned red-faced Hogg.
Openly-gay Owens is also happy to make self-deprecating comments about his sexuality. In one match, after a particularly wonky Harlequins lineout, he chided the hooker: '"I’m straighter than that one.”And when he was invited to Buckingham Palace earlier this month, along with players from various countries, he announced on Twitter: ''Well I have met a few Queens in my time - some of you even say I am one. But on the way to Buckingham Palace now to meet the real one.''
And what do tomorrow's mighty combatants think of little Nigel?
Well, let's just say that the All Blacks like him, while the Wallabies do not exactly bounce with joy over the results of previous matches he has officiated. Which is one reason why I take McCaw's reigning champions to become the first reigning champions to successfully defend the trophy - and also the first to win it three times. The score? Around 20-12...and if I get it all wrong, I'm signing off immediately until 2019.
Scoreline? Around 20-12...and if I get it all wrong, I'm signing off immediately until 2019.
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