Sleep well, Sweet Chariot
The England coach returned to familiar settings with his team as they prepared for their big semi final against France tonight.
Woodward arrived in Manly in 1984 after his international career ended and the sea side club were happy to accommodate his desire for a game down under.
However, while millions flock to the idyllic settings apparently the Ely lad was less than impressed.
After the club had arranged some accommodation on Manly's beachfront Woodward did not convert to the surf lifestyle quite as locals would have imagined.
"He came in one day looking really tired," a club official told the BBC. "He said 'I can't sleep, the sound of the surf pounding on the rocks keeps me awake'."
Boffins look to the books
Just as everyone was getting excited about tonight’s game, British scientists have spoiled everyone’s fun with claims they have produced a formula to predict the result of every kick England’s Jonny Wilkinson takes.
The dynamic duo of Andrew Cushing and Paul Robinson of University College, Worcester have proclaimed:
KP = CSP - (EnC(s + w + r + yn) + PsS(cr + sc + mt + xn) + PhS(cxtxw)
which is based on detailed analysis of hundreds of Wilkinson kicks.
Number cruncher Cushing told The Times the equation identifies four crucial areas: technique or closed skill performance (CSP), environmental conditions (EnC), psychological state (PsS) and physical and psychological status (PhS).
While the factors of the pitch (ps), wind (w), rain (r), the level of anxiety provided by the crowd (cr), the score (sc) and the match time (mt).
Bring back Star Trek!
England wary of pests
While fans may be going to lengths to avoid the flies, moths and that dreaded Sydney local the cockroach, England have been concerned with bugs of another kind.
England rugby team have become so secretive about their World Cup plans they have swept their dressing room for listening devices before tonight’s big game.
The cautious team has even insisted that mobile phone relays in the dressing rooms be deactivated after they sent their spy equipment into a frenzy.
Telstra Stadium deputy CEO Daryl Kerry confirmed the hi-tech operation.
Desailly backs England
Chelsea’s Marcel Desailly, a member of France’s soccer World Cup winning team in 1998, will have won plenty of new admirers in England after he predicted they would defeat Les Bleus in today’s semi-final.
"I think England will win," he told The Telegraph, "Because England have that guy able to shoot from every position."
His prediction does come with some pedigree, the supreme footballer played the oval balled game as a youngster.
"I played rugby at school, but there was this big, big, big boy and we couldn't stop him, couldn't block him and he was hurting everybody. I thought, 'This is not for me'."
While France have lost the support of one World Cup winner, they have gained another after former Wallaby John Eales threw his support behind them.
The French flair has caused Eales to change his pre-Tournament tip. "It isn't that I've gone off England," Eales told the Sun Herald. "It's just that I've really warmed to France. Their form has been outstanding and although I still think it's going to be close I reckon they'll win it."
English in full voice….already
French supporters be warned, the English are ready to sing. Last night’s semi final between England and Australia was punctuated by verses of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” as England fans got in voice early.
With Wallaby fans not renowned for being too full of voice once their routine rendition of “Waltzing Matlida” is finished, the travelling fans enjoyed taking centre stage.