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PARIS - Mike Catt admitted England's path to the final of the rugby World Cup against South Africa, at times stuttering and at best not pretty, had been "bizzare" but also testament to a group of players largely ruled out as no-hopers before the tournament.
Catt was part of the England squad that won the last World Cup against Australia in 2003, but said: "The last time I was dropped for the final. This time I'm starting so I'm a bit happier."
The veteran centre said there were few similarities between this World Cup campaign and that of four years ago, when a Jonny Wilkinson injury-time drop-goal saw a Clive Woodward-coached England beat the Wallaby hosts.
"It's completely different," he said. "Clive Woodward had six years in charge while (current coach) Brian Ashton has had six months. It's been bizarre.
"This week's build-up to the World Cup final is pretty stressful," he added. "There's a lot of analysis, a lot of things go through your head.
"But before the tournament here there was not the consistency, we lost a lot of games and the preparation was limited. In 2003, we won a lot of games prior to the World Cup.
"Also, the last time we won every game and went into the final expected to win, whereas we're the underdogs this time, so we'll prepare accordingly to go face the battle on Saturday.
"Rugby is a funny thing, and here we are."
Catt, 36, said England's increasingly steady performances after an unimpressive pool stage campaign, the low point of which was a 36-0 thrashing by South Africa, was "remarkable".
"I wouldn't say it was exciting but it's been a hell of a journey," said the back who spent the majority of his club career at Bath but was rejuvenated with a move to London Irish.
"I've been through enough in my rugby career to believe this could happen. It's another opportunity to grab as they don't come along too often."
Catt said that things had finally started to click between himself, veteran scrum-half Andy Gomarsall and outside-half Jonny Wilkinson, the leading points scorer in World Cup history.
"They both control the game well, especially now our pack is performing so well.
"It's great I can take a bit of pressure off Wilkinson. He doesn't like being at first receiver all the time, and sometimes I do," Catt said, citing similar relationships between the All Blacks' Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger, and Australia's Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau.
"We've also changed the way we played. We didn't play to our strengths in the pool loss to South Africa.
"That was diabolical. They turned over a lot of ball and scored early on. We didn't play any rugby and that was disappointing.
"We're now looking to anticipate and play with more space.
"And five weeks ago seems like a year ago. We've done enough to beat Australia and France (12-10 and 14-9 in the quarter- and semi-finals). They've not been pretty but who cares?"
Catt, born in the South African coastal city of Port Elizabeth, said his motivation was not enhanced from playing the country of his birth, whom he dubbed the "complete package".
"Not at all," said Catt. "But it's always exciting to play South Africa. they're one of the top nations in the world.
"South Africa are such a clinical, ruthless, well-drilled side," he said, picking out the consistent performance of outside-half Butch James, the impressive midfield pairing of Jacque Fourie and youngster Francois Steyn, and the speedy wingers Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen.
"They know how to tighten up and win a game. If they start running then they are very hard to stop.
"But sport is sport, and upsets happen. Rugby is a competition where you grasp what you can."
- AFP
