Rugby World Cup: Brits bombing out did nothing to harm event

Captain Chris Robshaw of England (R) looks dejected in defeat as Wales players celebrate. Photo / Getty Images

At this time of transtasman sporting fervour, spare a thought for the Brits.

Just a brief one, mind you. This World Cup final is nothing to do with them, this gripping Australasian joust planted over the other side of the globe.

There's a long held belief that for the biggest international events to have true resonance the hosts need to go deep - or at least deepish - into the business end to retain the crowds and the support and the real passion.

There is something to this.

Imagine if the All Blacks had been dumped out of the 2011 World Cup by Argentina in their quarter-final at Eden Park; or New Zealand's cricketers had been tipped over at the same stage by the West Indies in Wellington on Martin Guptill's double ton day.

What would those results have done for the respective tournaments within the host country? Those who had paid serious money to come from overseas would have been there, but how would New Zealand's attitude towards those tournaments been affected? Interest, to a degree, would certainly have diminished.

So what of the Six Nations challenge at this cup, all gone by the quarter-finals. Particularly primary hosts England, who didn't even make it that far, despite throwing an avalanche of money on getting their campaign dead right, only to suffer a complete pratfall.

Evidently no one seems to have mourned England's passing, and given the way they played quite rightly too.

But the crowds are massive, the World Rugby coffers are bulging and the best teams, the only unbeaten ones, are in the final.

They've got there in different fashion too.

One has simply got better as the tournament has run, having started at somewhere less than top gear.

The other has deservedly won high praise for overcoming injuries and working their way to wins in difficult circumstances, for displaying an indefatigable spirit under a coach who clearly has an ability to inspire his players in a way his two predecessors, Ewen McKenzie and Robbie Deans, could not.

The sooner the game is played the better. The ifs, buts and maybes lose their appeal very quickly. The past week has witnessed an array of tedious, banal or cheerleading outbursts. Enough already.

You won't find the P word mentioned here.

The outstanding loose forward is key yes, but here we'll plump, among several pivotal matchups tomorrow, for the clash of the little men.

For all that Richie McCaw is rightly revered for his prowess, durability and leadership qualities, this column suggests respectfully that the player the All Blacks can least do without is Aaron Smith. Look at it this way: if he limps off after five minutes tomorrow, how are you feeling about what lies ahead?

His speed of thought and hand are critical to the All Blacks playing the game at the tempo they want.

Will Genia was the best going around, until he lost his way, and his place, over the past couple of years. He looks fit and well up for it at precisely the right time.

And ditto Smith in one respect: would you, as an Australian fan, really want the combustible Nick Phipps guiding the Wallabies over the final hour or so? No, so keep a special eye on the little guys with broad shoulders tomorrow.