Who would have believed it? The whole World Cup turned upside down in 160 minutes of the most sensational rugby in the competition’s history.

Well, it was sensational if you’re English or French. Even if the rugby was not always the epitome of perfection on the day.

The form books already had an Australia v New Zealand semi-final sealed and delivered before a ball was kicked in anger on Saturday. England v Australia in Marseille and France v New Zealand in Cardiff were just a means of projecting the wallabies and All Blacks through to their inevitable last-four confrontation. Or so everyone seemed to believe - myself included.

'The time-worn jibes of ''All Black chokers'' will no doubt be churned out yet again. But the fact their 20-year barren spell since winning the very first World Cup goes on is more down to French resilience than the Kiwis bottling it'


And of course, we all knew the Webb Ellis trophy was destined to be heading to Kiwi territory on October 20, whatever the irritation of matches in between.

Even the most fervent English and French fans feared their men were just making up the numbers. Fodder for the Southern Hemisphere giants as they ploughed on towards the ultimate prize.

But as the Wallabies and All Blacks now know to their cost, you write off Poms and Froggies at your peril.

England’s stuttering machine began the tournament being labelled the worst world champions ever to defend their trophy. And when South Africa turned them over 36-0 in their second pool game, even their own fans believed the jibes of a press corps determined to make the most of the team’s torment.

Not so the England camp. They used the media criticism as a springboard to drive them on to improved performances against Samoa and Tonga - and piled on some extra incentive when Australian RU chief John O’Neill stupidly told the world that ‘’everyone hates England’’.

England No.8 Nick Easter reworked the words of golf ace Nick Faldo to sum up his gratitude to those whose jibes inspire Saturday’s thoroughly deserved 12-10 victory over the Wallabies. ‘’I’d like to thank them from the heart of my bottom,’’ he quipped.

Teammate Jason Robinson added: "Every man and his dog had written us off but we can rise to the occasion. Only 30 people in the world believed we could do it. We are in this to win it and hopefully we can go all the way.’’

It wasn’t as if there was any element of luck about England’s win in Marseille. Australia were simply murdered up front from first kick to last - giving playmakers Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Catt all the space they needed to cause problems to the Wallaby defence.

Wilkinson (who else?) was as ever Australia’s nemesis - kicking all 12 points and breaking Gavin Hastings’ all-time RWC record in the process. But the entire England team were heroes, while Australia were but a shadow of the side we all know they can be.

Coach John Connolly, who like legendary stars George Gregan and Stephen Larkham is retiring now that Australia are out of the tournament, admitted his men were murdered up front.

"The scrum was destroyed and England controlled the breakdown. Their scrum is world-class, but the breakdown is an issue for the whole team," he said. "I said before the tournament their scrum and line-out would be a massive threat to everyone."

The big question is that if Australia were so aware of that particular threat, why did they do nothing to counter it?

In fairness, they did give credit to their conquerors rather than whinge about being robbed.

‘’I’m bitterly disappointed at the way we played,’’ said captain Stirling Mortlock, who missed three kicks at goal that could have changed the result. ’’A lot of credit must go to England, the way they attacked the breakdown and didn't allow us to get into rhythm.

"If England can be as effective at the breakdown as they were today, then they can give anyone a shake."

And so to France - or rather Cardiff, where the World Cup hosts created the biggest shock of the tournament by ousting the odds-on favourites on neutral territory.

The time-worn jibes of ‘’All Black chokers’’ will no doubt be churned out yet again following New Zealand’s shock defeat. But the fact their 20-year barren spell since winning the very first World Cup goes on is more down to French resilience than the Kiwis bottling it.

They had all sorts of excuses on the night, most notably injuries to key men Dan Carter and Byron Kelleher and the harsh sin-binning of ever-dangerous centre Luke McAlister which let France back into the game.

But the thought of them actually losing the match never really entered anyone’s minds until the last half-hour. At the break, they were cruising at 13-3 ahead, thanks to McAlister’s first-rate try. Then, with Mac in the bin for what was deemed a deliberate obstruction on Yannick Jauzion , a Lionel Beauxis penalty and a Thierry Dusautoir try brought the scores level.

Still, it seemed inevitable the All Blacks would ease away again - and they did, Rodney So’oialo burrowing over after one of the All Blacks‘ endless phases of forward possession.

I had made a small wager that New Zealand would win by more than 13 points - and I have to admit I still thought my money was safe.

But the introduction of Frederic Michalak had immediate effect, with France going ahead for the first time after he twisted in a tackle and off-loaded to Jauzion to touch down.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde's conversion put France ahead for the first time…and suddenly there was massive belief in the Bleus camp that they could repeat their legendary victory over the Blacks in the 1999 World Cup. In fact, you might say it was déjà vu all over again.

Anyway, the end product is that instead of the four Southern Hemisphere semi-finalists so many of us were predicting, there could be just ONE - the winners of the South Africa-Fiji game. And after Saturday’s result, nobody will be calling that one with too much confidence - or putting money on Argentina to beat Scotland in the other quarter-final.

One final thought for the vanquished giants from south of the Equator. There WILL be at least one Northern Hemisphere finalist - and who on earth would have predicted that a couple of days ago?

After such a sensational day, who do you know think will make the final? Post your comments below or write and article for Sportingo if you prefer.