Which players have the best bodies? The answer, it seems, are Aussie Rules players, whom women apparently find more appealing in body shape than either rugby league or union players.
The ABC website reports that South Australian sports scientist Professor Kevin Norton undertook a rigorous research programme to determine which malebody type was the most attractive.
The women in his study had to adjust an image of a bloke to their ideal build and the result was incredibly close to the vital stats for an Aussie Rules player.
Professor Norton used a body mass index to compare players. A low BMI score means the physique is long and lean. A high score is more akin to the brick outhouse.
The women came up with a computerised man with a BMI of 24 on average - just 0.5 above the average BMI for Aussie Rules players.
Players in the other codes were more heavy and thickset - rugby union and league players averaged a BMI around 32, and American football players topped the scale at 35.
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The South Wales Echo reports that the Welsh First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, is in hot water about a "trade mission" to Australia that just happens to coincide with the cup.
"I can understand why people are suspicious," he said, but he was adamant "it is not a jolly" because the best time to do business was while Wales were in the news. The wily politician found a cup link: "If you think Welsh people like me are interested in sport, you ain't seen nothing yet until you meet a group of Australians."
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Blockbusting Brad Thorn says playing for the All Blacks is the pinnacle". The former rugby league player told the Australian he was a Kiwi at heart.
"It was a big deal for me to play for the Kangaroos and rugby league, that was a huge honour for me. But playing for the All Blacks ... the history of the All Blacks has been huge."
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Welsh website iwales carried this headline yesterday: "President Bush set to watch Wales". The story said the US President "plans to see the Wales v Italy game, which is being played at Canberra Stadium on Saturday". Mr Bush was due to leave Australia last night, without seeing Wales or any other cup game.
