England: A grovelling apology

A major Australian newspaper issued a grovelling public apology to England yesterday.

The Sydney Morning Herald admitted it had been wrong to knock England's World Cup-winning side and said ' Pom-bashing' should end.

Congratulating Clive Woodward's men on a 'magnificent triumph', its editorial said: 'You were not too old (although we hoped you would be when the game went to extra time). You were not too slow. You scored as many tries as we did.

'You kicked no more penalty goals than we did. You ran the ball as much as we did. You entertained as much as we did.

'You did it with one of your own as coach. You are better singers than we are (and just quietly, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is growing on us, as is Jonny without an 'h').

'You played with class, toughness and grace. You were bloody superior ... and you are, for the first time in 37 years, winners of a football world cup.

'We believe Twickenham is a most fitting home for Bill (the cup), though we humbly remind you that, unlike the Ashes, you have to hand it over if you don't win next time.

'We concede the time has come to forgive you for using Australia as a dumping ground for your poor, weak and defenceless - even if the practice continues unabated every fourth summer. We will no longer characterise your fans as beer- swilling, pot-bellied louts or knife-wielding hooligans and try to remember the sporting and enthusiastic supporters who did so much to make the final memorable.