White plays down Springboks favoritism

PARIS: The Springboks are virtually the only South Africans dismissing the team's billing as favorite to beat title-holder England and win the World Cup at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The Springboks have already beaten England in the pool stage - although the defending champions have improved beyond recognition since that 36-0 mauling - and have a fully fit squad from which to pick their team, whereas England has lost wing Josh Lewsey to injury.

"England must be favorites because this group of players won it the Rugby World Cup final," South Africa's coach Jake White said on Monday after his team had beaten surprise semifinalist Argentina 37-13 on Sunday night.

South Africans jubilantly celebrated and predicted a second title after the Springboks' 1995 triumph with a banner headline in the Johannesburg newspaper The Star saying "Cup glory beckons".

Lewsey, who also played in the 2003 final victory over Australia, was forced off with a hamstring tear near the end of the first half of England's 14-9 semifinal win over France on Saturday after scoring the game's only try in the second minute.

The winger was distraught at missing the final, saying: "In the last four years a lot of people have made a lot of sacrifices and there's been some testing times over the last couple of years.

"To come through that and miss the final is pretty devastating. But the main thing is to win and no one will be happier than me if we win."

Strong defense

Lewsey's place on the squad will be taken by 21-year-old Bath fullback Nick Abendanon.

England will again base its game on a strong defense following its upset victories over Australia in the quarterfinals and host France in the semis.

"Our defensive system was very good against France, I think it was our best-ever defense we've ever had in terms of stats," assistant coach Mike Ford told reporters on Monday.

France was unable to deal with that defense and will finish its home tournament playing against Argentina for third place on Friday in a repeat of the opening match on October 7, which the Pumas won 17-12.

France, the only team in the traditional top five not to have won the World Cup, believed that ruthless forwards, discipline and a kicking game could lead it to the title.

Against England it lacked the flashes of brilliance that helped it upset favorite New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

"We're asked to kick the ball, we kick the ball," a resigned flyhalf Frederic Michalak told reporters on Monday afer coming on as a late replacement on Saturday, but being unable this time to add sparkle the French attack.

Argentina's fine run is another rebuke to the world game's authorities for their failure to accommodate the so-called emerging nations into top annual competitions.

"This is not just about Argentina," Pumas captain Agustin Pichot said, referring to the power wielded in the game by countries who had to go home early.

"Two of the greatest teams in the world have gone home. They have a lot of power, it's time to look at where we want to go."

Agencies

(China Daily 10/17/2007 page19)