No escape
There is no escape from Rugby World Cup final fever in Australia at the moment, or the unofficial anthems of the two competing teams in the final.
Twenty seven members of the Rugby World Cup Choir climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday and, once atop the famous coathanger, performed a number of songs including the "World in Union."
They also couldn't resist a sing off between, you guessed it … 'Waltzing Matilda v Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'.
Meanwhile, in a show of parochial support for the host nation, the ARU has also convinced radio stations across the nation to play Waltzing Matilda in unison three hours before kick off on Saturday night.
Australia's other famous icon, the Sydney Opera House, will be bathed in gold light for Saturday night's Rugby World Cup 2003 final. The western side of the Opera House will be lit up from sunset tonight until after the final.
Flying high
Two former rugby union internationals - Dan Crowley of Australia and England's Rory Underwood – have been offered a seat in the famous Roulettes Formation Aerobatic Display Team.
While we’re not sure of Crowley’s flying credentials, Underwood, England's leading try scorer and a member of their team that lost the the 1991 Rugby World Cup final against Australia, should be okay - he's a former RAF pilot.
The Roulettes will perform over Sydney Harbour on Friday, 21 November, before taking their place as part of the pre match entertainment the following night.
Tough wake up call
Australian inside centre Elton Flatley could be excused for booking an early wake up call over the next couple of days after missing the Wallabies last encounter with England at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on June 21.
Flatley overslept after a night on the town with his mates following the Wales Test the previous weekend and was subsequently banished by coach Eddie Jones for missing a team activity.
The Wallabies paid dearly for Flatley’s extended slumber, going down 25-14 while Australia’s first choice goal kicker was at home in Brisbane watching television.
Testing times
The IRB has joined other world sporting groups in re-testing urine samples for the designer steroid THG.
The IRB will re-test 50 pre-Tournament samples for THG – tetrahydrogestrinone – after a screening process for the previously undetected steroid was recently developed.
French gesture
Tony Marsh has been given the honour of leading his adopted France onto the field against the All Blacks in tonight’s third/fourth place playoff.
It’s the first time New Zealand born Marsh will play against his former countrymen.
Rugby to re-enter Olympic stage?
IOC President Jacques Rogge will attend Saturday night’s final as a guest of the IRB.
The invitation was extended to Rogge as part of a bid by rugby's governing body for the inclusion of sevens rugby in the world’s biggest sporting event.
The USA are the reigning Olympic champions, after the Eagles won gold the last time rugby was played at the Games back in 1924.
The Queen shows her true colours?
The Australian newspaper reports Queen Elizabeth II will have a bet each way when England plays Australia at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night.
"She is the Queen of England and the Queen of Australia so she wouldn't be biased any way at all," said a Palace spokeswoman.
Her grandson Prince Harry has not been so coy, proudly wearing his England shirt around Sydney and cheering wildly in support of Clive Woodward’s side during last week's semi final win over France.