It was a blatant forward pass!

As has already been predicted(!), I feel obliged to post about the French move that led to their match-winning try. There is no doubt from anyone that the pass that put Michelak into space was forward - it wasn't one of those iffy ones that the commentators say may have been forward - it was miles forward. You could see the New Zealand players react with gestures of a forward pass straight away.

Somehow, in what must have been one of the unluckiest moments ever in world sport (up there with Maradona's hand of god), the ref and nearby touch judge blinked at the same time, just before the ball was passed, and reopened there eyes with the ball in Michelak's hands. That has to be the only explanation doesn't it!?

I'm no fan of Graham Henry (who managed to create a loss to Australia when he was in charge of the Lions when, at that time, the England team by themselves would have beated Australia by more than 10 points), but he must be cursing his luck and the fact he has lost his job. His team played terribly, by their own high standards, but should have still won but for a refereeing mistake, and that is how World Cups are won....still winning when you have the inevitable off game.

Now that England know the rules of the tournament, maybe they should work on some lethal tactics for the semi-final....send their wingers down to the "end zone" and let quarterback Wilkinson throw the ball to them. You never know, the ref and touch judges might blink at an inopportune moment again - it has to be worth a go.

OK, rant over. It wouldn't have happened if TV replays were used, or if the skipper could appeal against 3 decisions, for example. Whatever it takes, we have to find a way of stopping blatant wrong decisions from putting an inferior team into the semis. But of course, it's great news for England's chances....