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Sackey Pinching Himself

Thu 18 Oct, 05:09 AM


England wing Paul Sackey is "overwhelmed" by the frenzy surrounding Saturday's World Cup final against South Africa.

Not only will the Wasps wing be part of England's bid to make rugby history by retaining the Webb Ellis Trophy, he also finds himself marking Springboks try machine Bryan Habana.

Habana needs one try to break Jonah Lomu's record of eight in a World Cup tournament, and Sackey will oppose unquestionably the deadliest finisher around.

He said: "Habana is obviously a massive talent.

"It will be a great experience to play against him, a good challenge, but I will just focus on my game and build on it.

"I will be busy. You relish any challenge you come across, and Habana is another massive challenge. If I get my head around the match and prepare myself as I have then anything can happen.

"At the moment, I am feeling quite nervous. I still can't believe that I am here. I am overwhelmed by the whole experience. I can't wait to get on the field and get that game over - and stop the nerves.

"Every kid dreams of playing for England when they are growing up, whether it's football or rugby. To play for England on the biggest stage is a dream come true."

England head coach Brian Ashton has made one enforced change from the semi-final victory over France last weekend, calling up Sale wing Mark Cueto for hamstring injury victim Josh Lewsey.

The final will be Cueto's fourth start of the tournament, but his first since the pool victory over Tonga almost three weeks ago. He began the World Cup as England's full-back against the United States.

Centre Mike Catt, 36 last month, will become the oldest player to feature in a World Cup final. Four years ago in Sydney, he was left out of the final and replaced by Mike Tindall.

Catt's midfield partner Mathew Tait, meanwhile, is the youngest England player to line up in a final, aged 21.

England head coach Brian Ashton said: "As with every week, we discuss every position, and it was a pretty close call.

"It was the fact Mark has played a lot of international rugby in the back three, and we expect a fair old aerial bombardment on Saturday.

"As a group, I think we have been written off since about June. This squad of players has consistently proved people wrong around the world.

"It is not only strength of character, there is a lot of ability that people haven't talked about. I really don't think that has been fully recognised.

"There are individual stars all over the team, but they have sacrificed themselves for the collective.

"Getting to the final, for this group of players, is not enough."

South Africa have won the last four games against England, and they are the 2007 World Cup's solitary unbeaten team heading into the final.

And Ashton added: "The mentality of the South Africans at this stage of a tournament means they won't freeze.

"They will be hanging on in there until the final minute."

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