THIRD TIME LUCKY?

It’s his third — and almost certainly last — World Cup, so could this be the time for France’s Freddie Michalak to finally show the best of himself on the biggest stage of all?

Those of us who love nothing more than to watch a mercurial and unpredictable yet highly skilled operator at work in a world where so many fly-halves take to the field with predetermined play plans tucked under their arms can but hope.

One thing’s for sure, if Freddie is given any space — and he can be particularly lethal in turnover situations — then the French will fancy their chances on Sunday against Ireland as a first step towards launching a bid to go all the way in the search for a first and long overdue final triumph.

SEVEN UP

For my money, it was the moment of the World Cup so far. Champions New Zealand — Richie McCaw, Dan Carter et al — had been made to scrap every single inch of the way for a 43-10 victory over minnows Georgia.

With a minute to go, the camera panned to the stands as the man of the match was announced, completely surprising recipient Mamuka Gorgodze, the inspirational No. 8 now sitting exhausted amongst his fellow countrymen, whose congratulatory slaps on his back and wide smiles are making me smile while typing these words.

Victory in their last pool match over Namibia put them in a powerful position to claim third place and automatic qualification for Japan 2019 — how about the powers that be now seriously consider inviting Georgia sooner rather later to become a part of a new Seven Nations?

THE UNTHINKABLE

The stakes could not be any higher for Italy when they face Romania on Sunday. The winners are certain to finish third in Pool D and with it clinch qualification for Japan in 2019, which would be a fabulous achievement for the Romanians, who rallied from 15-0 down to edge Canada 17-15 earlier this week.

For Italy, though, defeat is unthinkable — can anyone seriously imagine Sergio Parisse, a player who would walk into just about any team at this tournament, having to play against, and with great respect, the likes of Belgium and Spain to help the Azzurri earn the right to play at a World Cup? Victory is therefore vital, though they will have to do it without props Martin Castrogiovanni and Michele Rizzo against a powerful Romanian scrum. Expect sparks.

SHORT SIGHTED

Goodness me, a lot of nonsense was spouted after England were thumped by Australia and dumped out of their own tournament. Too many people who should have known better were quick to label it a ‘disaster’ for the country, the World Cup and for rugby in general.

It’s none of those things, of course. An average team, badly selected and lacking any wit or invention, did not deserve to reach the knock-out stages which, on the evidence of the standard of play in matches elsewhere, they had no chance of progressing from anyway.

As far as I’m aware, life — and arguably the best and most competitive tournament yet — goes on, and the games will continue to be played in front of packed stadia and be broadcast to record audiences around the globe, despite the many shortcomings of the English team.

AND THE WINNERS WILL BE…

Here we are one week away from the quarter-finals and it’s easier to predict when it will next rain in Dubai than state with any certainty who is going to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on October 31.

New Zealand hardly inspired confidence last time out with 19 handling errors and being turned over 14 times by Georgia. South Africa? No team has ever won the tournament after losing a pool match. Australia? Possibly have the most to crow about as they’re doing all the right things — so far.

Or how about predictably unpredictable France? Where do the home nations stand? Can Wales or Ireland finally make a big breakthrough? And don’t forget Argentina, is it possible for them to improve on a third place finish in 2007? We await the business end of proceedings with great anticipation.

— The writer is a freelance journalist and rugby expert