As posted on Ben Maller's "NASCAR rumours" bit. Well, actually it's a snippet from the Melbourne Herald but I bet they didn't use that headline.

America's biggest motor sport star, Dale Earnhardt Jr, was the guest of honour at Phillip Island yesterday. Earnhardt is the most popular driver in NASCAR racing and earns more money than the entire V8 Supercar field combined. Sports Illustrated magazine estimated his 2007 earnings at more than $50 million. But unlike the media circus that surrounded David Beckham's recent visit to Australia, Earnhardt was able to slip under the radar. The only people clamouring to meet the racing celebrity were the V8 Supercar drivers and team managers as he walked down pit lane.

I am struggling to see why that headline is warranted to be honest.

Jr said he wanted to go and see a V8 Supercar round while he was is Aussie...in fact, he said he's a fan of it and loved seeing them live. I pointed that out yesterday in my 'Deja Vu' post...but I bet another big part of him being here was to get away from the media scrum that probably follows him around all day. That's the beauty about Australia and New Zealand...we're so far away from everywhere else so we tend to treat superstars as your average Joe.

You want another example? Ok then; David Beckham was in town last week...and he thoroughly enjoyed the fact that he was able to walk around Sydney and Wellington without getting hassled. Yes he said a few people came up and asked for autographs, but that's the measure of how well known he is...but Jr is a NASCAR driver (which isn't a global sport like football is) so what did you expect?

You see, while Marcos Ambrose is doing his best to convert us to NASCAR...though he didn't have to with me since he didn't go over there until two years after I started watching...we already have our own motorsport series where they run 'stock' cars and V8 engines, so why would we bother getting all excited about a bloke who just wanted to have a nice, relaxing two weeks? We're not considered one of the most laid-back countries for nothing you know *rolls eyes*

In a country where Cricket, Tennis, Rugby League and Aussie Rules captures our attention, NASCAR just doesn't cut it and I doubt it ever will. So enjoy your time in Australia, Jr...after the year you've had, you deserve to have a break, mate.

Coming hot on the heels of slshusker's post about game 1, the other semi between South Africa and Argentina is done and we now know who will be playing for the Cup next weekend.

Now, being at work today (20 hours ahead of West Coast time and all) I wasn't able to watch the game between those two but I did catch the England/France one. The commentators I had to endure were worse than the ones they use in NASCAR right now, something I didn't think was possible but they managed it, as hearing Grant Fox (former NZ flyhalf) and company bleat on about how dull the game was and how that NZ would have provided much more entertainment was a real letdown (they're still bitter that France won last week...I say get over it already, sheesh *rolls eyes*).

In the end, I muted the TV and watched the game in silence and must say it was a cracker. Both teams gave it their all and in the end, the difference was the bounce of the rugby ball as England poached the only try of the game inside 5 minutes when the ball sat up and the French flyer couldn't do anything but watch as the ball sat up and a white and red blur leapt above him to plant the pill across the line.

So England became the first team through (14-9) and will play for their second straight WC win...something that has not been done in any RWC before. Their opponents will be South Africa who, after their provincial performances in the Super 14 earlier this year were one of the hot picks to win this thing.

Not much to go on from the game so I'll just make it up...

Argentina put up an amazing run this tournament, beating France in the opening game to set up a legitimate tilt at the title but, at the end, it was the flair from South Africa that won through (37-13 by full-time). Both teams belted each other with thier monster forward pack but the Springboks had more firepower out wide and utilised that advantage to set up a classic North v South final.

Who will win? South Africa will be favourites after winning the group game...but this is the big one.

One thing's for sure; regardless of who wins, both teams have done their countries proud.

No, not the former Beatles member but the person on this site who comments on my Rugby posts.

Here's a joke for you actually; what's the difference between Australia, New Zealand and a teabag? A teabag stays in the cup longer.

As people will know...if you read my profile thing...I am an Australian (and quite proud of it) who lives in New Zealand. However, I do not share a common Aussie (and New Zealand...will get to that in a moment) trait of arrogance. The Australian cricket team is regarded as the best in the world since they've won the last three One Day International World Cups and sit on top of the test nations standings.

After the 2005 Ashes series in England, which I regard as the greatest series I've ever seen, a lot of Australians were angry at the way our team played...not really sure why since England stuck it to us and it was just what the test version needed to get some interest back in it. So as you can see, I guess I am not your typical Australian...heck I don't even have the 'traditional' accent (I detest it by the way. It's horrible to listen to. Give me Irish or Canadian anyday)...since I don't mind seeing our teams coming home with their tails tucked between their legs and I can admit and say the very simple phrase of "we got outplayed by a better team."

To New Zealand then where, for a country of only four million people, they have an extreme case of arrogance when it comes to Rugby Union. Now I don't care what any other Kiwis say, but the way many react when the All Blacks (or 'Oblix' as Will calls them) lose is atrocious; it's always the ref's fault, or the linesman, or the coach...it's never the fact that the other team played better.

Now we come to the point of this post; the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.

The William Webb Ellis trophy will be given out on October 21 in Paris.

Australia played England yesterday morning (my time) while New Zealand battled France a few hours later. Going into both games I was nervous for Australia as the Poms have a handy forward pack while we didn't, and with a fit Jonny Wilkinson I felt that the English were a good chance of beating us...and that happened. 12-10 was the final score in a bruising affair, and while the Aussie press back home will probably rip them to shreds, it doesn't matter to me since that's the nature of a knockout competition; don't play well and you go home.

So congratulations to England, and to RINGO, for pulling out a blinder (as opposed to the South Africa game a couple weeks ago) and repeating the result of the 2003 Cup final.

New Zealand were expected to beat France...in fact, some media people here were boasting about how they'd win by as much as 50 points. Perhaps with good reason as the last few times both teams have played, the All Blacks have won handsomely...but this was the crunch game, this was the one that they had to win.

Yet they didn't.

As a result, the word 'chokers' will be associated with the New Zealand Rugby Union...for another four years at least anyway.

France tackled their hearts out all game (ending up with having to do an extra 100+ tackles than NZ) and scored two tries on the scrap of ball they had (NZ dominated with something like 72% possession and territory). The All Blacks tend to peak between World Cups...and they did again. By being knocked out in the quarterfinals yesterday, they achieved their worst World Cup showing...how the mighty have fallen.

So, another congratulations to the French for showing the world that the All Blacks aren't the invincible team many thought before this tournament started.

Yes the referee missed a couple of calls and the French were lucky not to be penalised for offside, but you won't find me blaming anyone. The French outplayed New Zealand and showed more desire to win; end of story.

Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed that both 'my' teams are out but hey, the sun still rose this morning (I think anyway, it's overcast today) and we have the semi-finals next weekend before the final on October 21. South Africa will now be favourites I suppose but, as yesterday proved, that title means nothing...it all depends on how you play on that given day.

C'est la vie.

All right so we've got the tedious part of the tournament over and get into the good stuff. We had a few upsets during the course of the last thee weeks; Tonga beating Samoa, Fiji beating Wales, and, though it wasn't really a huge upset, Argentina beating France in the very first game.

We also had some great performances from the 'minnows'; the USA, Canada, Japan and Georgia can all hold their heads up really high after showing some promise in their games.

But we also had some absolute shockers; England getting whipped by South Africa, Australia leading Canada by just 3 points to nil after around 25 minutes are the ones that immediately spring to mind...though the form of the Northern Hemisphere powerhouses have not been as flash as many people thought, me included, whch has been quite surprising.

However, that is all behind us and we move into the sudden death part of the competition. The matchups will see Argentina against Scotland, Australia up against England in a rematch of the 2003 final, New Zealand playing France (in Cardiff...strange I know but that's what it says) and South Africa play Fiji.

On paper, the best matches appears to be Australia v England and New Zealand v France...but as I said, the NH teams haven't been playing that great so you'd expect both the Aussies and Kiwis to go through.

But things aren't as easy as that. Australia have lost their flyhalf, Stephen Larkham, to yet another injury and will be relying on a rookie, Berrick Barnes, to steer them around. As good as Barnes may one day be, up against Johnny Wilkinson, he's not in the same class. I expect Australia to win, but it will be a lot tougher than some reckon.

Same with NZ and France. France were in the 'group of death' (with Ireland and Argentina) so they've had tough matches under their belt going into this...something New Zealand have not. The Kiwis have stuck with their rotation policy which leaves me asking if their 'first 15' combinations will be up to scratch. Certainly they have the better lineup, but there's a few players under scrutiny (including Dan Carter who didn't play their final match against Romania due to a calf injury) and others that don't have much game time in them this year. France are unpredictable at the best of times and one must wonder if playing away from home will be an advantage for them as the last few times they've played NZ in France they've been thumped. Still, NZ should win this...might be scary for a while though.

Argentina verses Scotland...not really expected to be a contest and Argentina should easily go through to the semis. Scotland played well to beat Italy, but that was their final, as against the Pumas, they'll get knocked out.

South Africa and Fiji...not who we were expecting to have playing. Well, SA were expected, but not Fiji. However, they've played might well to get here but I can't see them troubling the Springboks next weekend.

Ok, so if my predictions are right, we'll be having all Southern hemisphere semi-finals as South Africa face off against Argentina while we'll be treated to a final Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand...and I reckon both those games can go either way.

I'll post again next week once the final four teams have been decided.

Well here we are, just about three weeks out from the start of sixth Rugby World Cup. Expectations are high that the home team will win the thing, but that has only happened twice; 1987 (New Zealand) and 1995 (South Africa) so France will have to pull out something special...perhaps even more so depending on who they play and if they get there.

Let's have a look at the favourites going into the Cup and nut out some predictions.

Argentina - yes, I actually think they'll be a strong contender...if they can get through the group stage (they're with France and Ireland so one will miss out). I must say I don't know a heck of a lot about them, but I've heard that their flyhalf is very good and they beat Ireland (in Argentina) a month or so ago so they are in pretty decent form. Argentina generally have a good forward pack so they could be a great dark horse this time.

Australia - the only country to have won the RWC more than once, the Wallabies head into this one under a bit of a cloud. Their backline is very solid with Latham, Mortlock and Larkham spearheading the attack while the old stager, Gregan (and others), will want to bow out on a high note and they will have gained a fair bit of confidence after beating New Zealand in Melbourne...even though they did lose the return match in Wellington a few weeks later. However, the forward pack is still a big problem at scrum-time.

England - it's been a rather big fall from grace for the defending champs...but there are signs they are coming right in time (a strong showing in the six nations this year). The key will be the forwards and Wilkinson. If Jonny is fit and the forward pack can provide him enough time to get the ball onto his trusty left boot, I seriously think England could pull another Cup off...but if the forwards can't set up that platform (or if Jonny isn't playing well), they won't stand a chance in the latter stages of the tournament.

France - remember the Football WC in 1998? Yeah, that was held in France so I expect the hosts to be very strong. They played a couple warmup games against New Zealand (in NZ) and, for a third-string team (they didn't send their best team over...club matches were still being played), they didn't disgrace themselves and showed that you could actually break through the NZ defence. Now, with their top team back, I think most people have automatically put them into the semis...but they still have to get past both Argentina and Ireland in the group stage.

Ireland - a favourite of many people simply because of the funky Irish accent, but this time they go in as a favourite in their own right. Strong performances in the six nations over the last few years have put them on the radar as a real threat to take home the Cup. However, the players and fans alike will be waiting with baited breath for the news on Brian O'Driscoll and whether his jaw is broken or not after last weeks game. If he's out, I think Ireland can kiss their chances goodbye.

New Zealand - well, where do I start? They go into every match as favourites and more often than not come home with the result. But when WC time rolls around, the wheels tend to come off. The way the All Blacks have been playing the last three years have them as the clear favourite...but that was before 2007. Their form against the weakened French and the plucky Canadians was rusty, and it didn't get a whole lot better against South Africa and Australia in the Tri-nations either. A big question mark hangs over the midfield since the departure of Umaga and a lot of the players have had little game time this season so they are rather underdone. No one doubts the team has the talent...but so do Brazil in football and they don't always win the big games either.

South Africa - after the Super 14 was done and dusted, the Springboks were on top of their game. They monopolised the final (having two teams contest it) and all was well...until the squad for the Tri-nations got named. An extra player was called into the squad because the board felt that the selectors got it wrong by not picking this guy. Further grumbles have seen the coach be on the verge of being given the boot but, of course, to do so this close to the Cup would be stupid so they'll stick with him. I get the feeling that even if South Africa win it, the coach won't be there when the next season kicks off.

Wales - won the six nations a couple years ago...and that was about it really. When New Zealand toured at the end of 2005, many people talked up how the Welsh game would possibly be their biggest challenge. That wasn't the case as the All Blacks turned out a second-string team and still thumped them...but if you play with fire, you'll get burned eventually and Wales nearly pulled off a huge upset last WC by running England mighty close. I'd bracket them the same as Argentina; a good outside bet.

So there we go, the winner will come from one of those eight teams. My heart says Australia, my head says New Zealand...so go put your money on a France/South Africa final.