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Mike Catt admits England's path to the World Cup final, at times stuttering and at best not pretty, has been "bizzare".
But he says their appearance against South Africa is 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 Australia in the decider.
"It's completely different," he said. "Clive Woodward had six years in charge while Brian Ashton has had six months. It's been bizarre. "This week's build-up to the World Cup final is pretty stressful. 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."
Catt, 36, said England's increasingly steady performance after an unimpressive pool stage, 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 things had finally started to click between himself, halfback Andy Gomarsall and first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson, the leading points scorer in World Cup history.
"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 play. 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.
"We've done enough to beat Australia and France (12-10 and 14-9). They've not been pretty but who cares?"
Catt, born in Port Elizabeth, said his motivation was not enhanced from playing the country of his birth, whom he dubbed the "complete package".
"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 Jaque Fourie and youngster Francois Steyn, and the speedy wingers Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen. "They know how to tighten up and win a game.
"But sport is sport and upsets happen. Rugby is a competition where you grasp what you can."
- AFP
