I CAN scarcely believe it, but I feel a shred of sympathy for Richard Caborn, otherwise known as the Sports Minister.

It's not his fault he holds that position as his appointment presumably came from the same high-ranking office which recalled him from Sydney last week. On both counts the high-ranking office showed its contempt for sport.

Caborn was due to attend the Rugby World Cup final but had to miss it because the government was in danger of losing the vote on foundation hospitals.

Subsequent events have confirmed that there would be less need for concern about the health service if there were more sporting heroes encouraging more people to emulate them and thereby lead a healthier life.

Now that they have witnessed the extraordinary impact of winning the World Cup, the government want to jump on the bandwagon by holding a reception for the players on December 8.

By that time I suspect most of Martin Johnson's reluctant heroes will be tired of the adulation and would prefer a couple of beers in the clubhouse to Chardonnay and canapes with Tony Blair.

Although they might, of course, take the opportunity to tell him to stop selling off playing fields.

IF you're sick of rugby read no further. I also know a bandwagon when I see one and this week's column will comprise a series of observations on the Sydney triumph.

I could digress to suggest that the deeds of the world's greatest rugby player obviously inspired Thierry Henry to prove he is the world's greatest footballer in Arsenal's amazing 5-1 win in Milan.

And did you notice also how little arguing with the referee there was in that game? It comes back to the impact of winning a World Cup, and doing it with manners and good grace.

What is so astonishing about the scenes at Heathrow well before dawn on Tuesday is that a study commissioned by the RFU this year found that less than one fifth of the population were interested in rugby, down from a quarter in 1996.

Also, rugby union ranked 15th among school sports and physical activities.

So the RFU knew that after doing everything possible to win the World Cup they had to cash in quickly when it happened and they are launching what they have dubbed "Impact", aimed at raising participation in schools and clubs.

That doesn't just mean players, but also coaches and referees. So be prepared for the sweet chariot rolling down your street.

I FIND all this speculation about how much Jonny Wilkinson might be worth extremely tiresome. It brings a football mentality to rugby, which it can do without.

Jonny shares a house near Slaley Hall Golf Club with his brother, his loving parents have moved to live nearby in Corbridge, he has a nice car, a girlfriend and a World Cup winner's medal. What more could he want?

Security for the rest of his life perhaps, but I doubt very much whether he or any of his teammates will ever have to sell their medals as five of Sir Alf Ramsey's 1966 heroes did.

Jonny is also to have the freedom of Newcastle, although as an Honorary Freeman he will not share a Hereditary Freeman's rights of being able to graze his cattle on the Town Moor.

He could practise his kicking there, though.

JONNY'S mentor, Rob Andrew, had to be content with landing the winning drop goal against Australia in a quarter-final for the highlight of his career.

But he has left his mark on the moment when Jonny's immortal kick sailed between the posts.

Andrew was in the Radio Five Live box and as commentator Iain Robertson said "and Wilkinson drops for World Cup glory" he was almost drowned out by a long, loud and protracted scream of joy behind him. That was Andrew.

MEANWHILE, back at Huddersfield, for the third successive Test the Great Britain Rugby League team went very close to beating Australia, but didn't. GB led 12-6 but lost 18-12, which was the biggest margin of the three games.

There were some who felt that professionalism in Rugby Union would spell doom for the 13-a-side game, and while a crowd of 24,000 at Huddersfield would beg to differ, the World Cup triumph is not going to do League any favours.

There will be more Jason Robinsons switching codes, and it's not only in this country where it is happening. Lote Tuqiri, the winger who towered over Robinson to score Australia's try in the Sydney final, is a former captain of the Fiji Rugby League team.

FINALLY, back to Jonny. His observation on the reception at Heathrow was "hugely humbling, massively uplifting." Not the sort of words you'd expect David Beckham to come out with, but he will have been inspired by the words and deeds of his new pal and will even now be preparing a thesis on the lessons to be learned by English football.

Published: 28/11/2003