Or so the song goes. Finally England fans have something to be grateful for, and if you are not of the oval ball persuasion then perhaps now should be the time to do so. The 21-20 win over Australia certainly helps lift any gloom from Friday's attrocity and is the first time that England have won in Australia since their memorable World Cup final victory over the hosts in 2003 at the very same stadium. The series has been drawn and even though they played poorly in the first game, this can be regarded as a defining moment in the turning fortunes of the England Rugby team
However, it is somewhat ironic that as the rugby players are finally showing real signs of progression, their footballing counterparts very much seem to be going backwards. Similarities can be drawn between the two teams: both have a vast array of talent at their disposal which is born from the fact that the national leagues are highly regarded throughout the world. Both are managed by highly driven individuals who run the team in their own way. The long ball is still more prevalent than the "beautiful game" which other countries seem to effortlessly achieve, regardless of rank or ability. Most poignantly of all, both have won a World Cup which almost seems to haunt the current players as they continually try to match the achievements of their past greats.
The big difference between the two though is how they play under the pressure of the biggest competition their respective sports have to offer. In football, since 1990 the England team have failed to progress further than the quarter finals of either the European Championships and the World Cup whilst in that same period the rugby team has reached 3 World Cup finals, including the last two successive tournaments. Perhaps it could be countered that recently England have failed to produce anything noteworthy in the 6 Nations and that inconsistant performances have undermined any serious Championship credentials. However, because of the regularity of the 6 Nations these games are more or less in likening to the qualification matches that the football team have to play. The New Zealand team are certainly testament to this notion; only once have they lifted the Webb Ellis cup despite being labelled as favourites for every tournament and winning 9 out of the 14 Tri Nations.
That is not to say that things cannot be turned around. On Wednesday England face Slovenia with the knowledge that their fate very much lies in their own hands. If England were to win [and they really should], then as history has proved anything can happen in the knockout stages: remember France in 1998? One team who could be a source of inspiration for the football boys are the England cricket team following on from their recent victories over Australia in the Twenty20 World Cupfinals and Bangladesh at test match level, they go into the first of 5 One Day internationals full of confidence. And to relate to events not quite so far away from South Africa, at least the level of despondency has not reached those of the French [for the time being].
Thus next week will be an interesting time for an England fan. Whilst it is highly unlikely that the football team will miraculously convert themselves from no-hopers to world beaters, they should still qualify into the knockout stages. Meanwhile the rugby team have to show that the momentum gained from their victory truly is off stronger stuff than Johnny Wilkinson's physical condition against the mighty New Zealand Maoris [they beat Ireland you know] before they play the Kiwis proper in November. And of course we are always assured of victory over Australia in the cricket!
However, it is somewhat ironic that as the rugby players are finally showing real signs of progression, their footballing counterparts very much seem to be going backwards. Similarities can be drawn between the two teams: both have a vast array of talent at their disposal which is born from the fact that the national leagues are highly regarded throughout the world. Both are managed by highly driven individuals who run the team in their own way. The long ball is still more prevalent than the "beautiful game" which other countries seem to effortlessly achieve, regardless of rank or ability. Most poignantly of all, both have won a World Cup which almost seems to haunt the current players as they continually try to match the achievements of their past greats.
The big difference between the two though is how they play under the pressure of the biggest competition their respective sports have to offer. In football, since 1990 the England team have failed to progress further than the quarter finals of either the European Championships and the World Cup whilst in that same period the rugby team has reached 3 World Cup finals, including the last two successive tournaments. Perhaps it could be countered that recently England have failed to produce anything noteworthy in the 6 Nations and that inconsistant performances have undermined any serious Championship credentials. However, because of the regularity of the 6 Nations these games are more or less in likening to the qualification matches that the football team have to play. The New Zealand team are certainly testament to this notion; only once have they lifted the Webb Ellis cup despite being labelled as favourites for every tournament and winning 9 out of the 14 Tri Nations.
That is not to say that things cannot be turned around. On Wednesday England face Slovenia with the knowledge that their fate very much lies in their own hands. If England were to win [and they really should], then as history has proved anything can happen in the knockout stages: remember France in 1998? One team who could be a source of inspiration for the football boys are the England cricket team following on from their recent victories over Australia in the Twenty20 World Cupfinals and Bangladesh at test match level, they go into the first of 5 One Day internationals full of confidence. And to relate to events not quite so far away from South Africa, at least the level of despondency has not reached those of the French [for the time being].
Thus next week will be an interesting time for an England fan. Whilst it is highly unlikely that the football team will miraculously convert themselves from no-hopers to world beaters, they should still qualify into the knockout stages. Meanwhile the rugby team have to show that the momentum gained from their victory truly is off stronger stuff than Johnny Wilkinson's physical condition against the mighty New Zealand Maoris [they beat Ireland you know] before they play the Kiwis proper in November. And of course we are always assured of victory over Australia in the cricket!
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