The big event is almost upon us ... the Final of the Rugby World Cup 2007

The pinnacle of all this rugger playing is finally here - the Final between South Africa and England.

The Springboks will need to be tightly drilled and very disciplined - their captain Smit admitted it himself today in the international media. The English try to stop their opponents playing rugby. They like to see them make errors so JW can score penalties. The Boks will need to play the most disciplined game of their lives to win. Once JW gets the ball his kicking boot takes over.

May the best team win.

The pool rounds are over ... and now the real fun begins!

Eight teams are through to the Quarter Finals and the real fun of the RWC begins ... the knockout rounds.

Australia have their chance to avenge their loss to England in 2003, the French face the All Black juggernaut, the Fijians have caused the upset of the tournament (to face the Springboks), and Argentina lines up against the Scots.

I'm excited for Fiji; they'll be thrilled with their Quarter Final spot even though they face a seemingly ascendant South Africa. Let's hope they give the 'Boks the same drubbing they gave Wales ;-) [Good luck Greg :-)]

Argentina have presented a very strong case for inclusion in an expanded Tri Nations by finishing top of their pool. I predict a Semi Final spot for them.

After a few weeks of reading the rugby results rather than staying up all night to watch the matches, now I start the alarm-clock setting and sleeping in. Thank goodness I'm on 2 weeks holidays. I have a hen's day to attend on the 6th - perfect reason to stay up even later to watch the Wallabies play the English :-) I'll be at the chic Loft Bar in Sydney, in a posh frock - Chic Rugby to the max :-)

Looking into a crystal ball … who will play in the RWC Final?

Chic Rugby has been trying to predict who will play in the RWC Final. Here’s how things stand with the upcoming knock-out rounds:

Australia will play either Tonga or England in QF 1 – I’d like it to be Tonga but I think it will be England.

New Zealand will probably play France in QF 2 (unless the Argentineans lose against the Irish this weekend).

South Africa will play Wales or Fiji in QF 3 – will probably be Wales (go Fiji!).

Argentina (unless they lose against the Irish) will play Scotland or Italy (most likely Scotland?) in QF 4.

When we get to this level it’s a little harder to pick winners than it is in the pool rounds. However, based on how they’ve played to date I’m predicting that the Irishmen and the Italians will lose in their matches this weekend, leaving us with 4 Southern Hemisphere teams playing 4 Northern Hemisphere teams (gee I’d love the Tongans and the Fijians to win – make it 6 Southern Hemisphere teams in the Quarters …).

Now, should things go the way they seemingly ought, Semi-Final 2 will be played between South Africa and Argentina. If the Wallabies win against England/Tonga this will pitch us against the All Blacks in Semi-Final 1. This will mean a Southern Hemisphere Semi-Final round and a Southern Hemisphere Final.

Now, we’ve been in this place before. Many times Australia and NZ end up clashing in the Semis … the smart money seems to be on the All Blacks to keep it together this time and not bottle out as they’re wont to do. So, should they win against the Australians, they’ll play South Africa in the Final …. except I’d love it if it were Argentina :-)

And, then it’s obvious for whom one should barrack. As an Australian I will cheer for our ANZAC buddies the All Blacks over the South Africans … can’t stand the Springboks and I love Dan Carter. Easy!

Go the Wallabies (and Tonga)!