Aussie fans revel in role as World Cup party-poopers

Aussie fans revel in role as World Cup party-poopers

LONDON - As the referee blew the final whistle on England's World Cup dream Saturday, crestfallen rugby fans in London drowned their sorrows while enduring taunts from joyous Australian supporters.

Austalian fans celebrate after Australia scored a try as they watch the action from a fan zone in Richmond, south west London on October 3, 2015

"It's very upsetting," said Rich, 34, minutes after Australia rubbed salt into the wounds by scoring a late converted try to seal a 33-13 defeat, making England the first host nation to be dumped out at the group stages.

"As soon as the game kicked off we were on the back foot, and it went downhill from there," he added.

After last week's devastating loss to local rivals Wales, England knew they had to beat old enemy Australia to stand any chance of qualifying from the "Group of Death".

Fans wearing England's red and white and Australia's green and gold nervously milled around the capital, hours before the 8.00pm (1900GMT) kick off at Twickenham in the city's south west.

Members of London's sizeable Aussie community were the dominant presence early on, calming the nerves with early-afternoon pints.

Dozens spilled out of the Orange Tree pub close to the stadium, launching a half-hearted chorus of "Waltzing Matilda".

As evening fell and the drinks flowed, the pre-match atmosphere in the Maple Leaf -- a sweatbox sports bar in central London -- reached fever pitch with England fans shading the battle of the national anthems.

With handshakes allround, it was time for action, with England fans in a positive mood.

"I'm pretty confident, but I was confident last week," said Chris 26, who had come up from Plymouth to savour the atmosphere.

"We've got the pack to dominate Australia. We've got ourselves into this position and we need to get ourselves out of it. Everyone's coming together for this game."

However, another fan in an England shirt declared "I. Am. Nervous" to his drinking mate, having been reduced to a twitching ball of anxiety.

- 'Payback' -

It was the Australian minority who were quickly cheering and chanting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" as their side ran in two converted tries to take a 17-3 lead into half-time.

At The Goat pub in Clapham, a packed house watched on nervously, then with horror, as England were overwhelmed.

The break gave both sets of fans a chance to regroup, refill and recount an error-strewn England performance.

"We don't seem to want it," said Lex, 31. "They already look like they're going home planning their holidays. We need to get points on the board to give us hope."

"You're screwed!" interrupted Australian fan Joel.

The second-half followed in the same vein until England winger Anthony Watson finished in the corner, sending the majority into raptures and sparking dreams of a comeback.

Those hopes were dashed 10 minutes from time when Owen Farrell was sin-binned, triggering a flurry of songs from the green and gold supporters.

A defiant group of England fans attempted to goad their rivals with chants of "God Save Your Queen" and a lewd reworking of "Waltzing Mathilda", but the jubilant Australians were too busy dancing to take any notice.

As the match ended, most England fans had already poured out onto London's streets to contemplate another World Cup failure.

In the space of just over a year, England has now been eliminated from the football, cricket and rugby union world cups at the group stages.

Not that the Australians were in the mood for charity.

"Absolutely none!" said Luke, 25, from Cairns, when asked if he had any sympathy.

"I was here for the Ashes (cricket) defeat (this summer), so this is payback, and for 2003", when England defeated Australia in Sydney in the final seconds of extra-time to win the rugby World Cup.

"We're going to win the trophy," added Joel. "England was just the starter, they're the main course," he added, pointing to a New Zealand fan.

England fans, meanwhile, sought solace elsewhere.

"My mind's just gone," said Chris. "Tomorrow I'll be hungover, and hopefully I'll wake up next to something lovely, otherwise I'll be totally demoralised."

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