It was a pretty tight tussle, but we managed to beat Mexico, 24-17. They were actually ahead of us 14-10 at half-time, but we outscored them 14-3 in the second half. So we've now played everybody once and have a 3-1 record so far. No games for us next week, but we're away to the USA the following week. They'll be thirsting for revenge, no doubt. Should be another epic match!

Speaking of the USA, they've got a crucial clash coming up tomorrow morning (our time) against the unbeaten Bosnia and Herzegovina. If the Bosnians keep up their winning streak, the USA could find themselves in some danger of not qualifying! It would certainly put them under some pressure at any rate. But if the Americans win, I think that might put us in first place (for now at least).

Ouch. We got owned. 45-17 to the USA. They well and truly got their revenge. I had a bad feeling we would probably lose this time around, but I honestly didn't think it would be quite that much of a blowout.

We did have an injured DL, but I replaced him in plenty of time, so there was no problem with a bot defence or anything like that. I doubt whether that DL would have made too much difference to the final outcome anyway.

Some good news however is that Switzerland also got revenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina, which means we're now level-pegging with B & H on wins and losses, although they're slightly ahead of us on goal difference. But it really gives some added weight to our game with them next week. Whoever wins that clash will get their noses in front in the qualification race.

The way things are shaping up now, the USA will probably qualify top, but it's going to be a real battle for that second spot between Bosnia, NZ and Switzerland. So every game counts - particularly these next two fixtures against Bosnia and Switzerland. Mexico appear to be well out of the running at this stage, but they could still spoil things for us, so we've still got to make sure to beat them again.

Another big win - we smashed Switzerland 45-21 to go 4-0 at home. Overall, we're now 5-2, which makes us near certainties to qualify for the World Cup for the first time!

However, we're not absolute certainties just yet. If we lose to Mexico next week and Bosnia and Herzegovina win both their final games, we would both finish 5-3 and then it would come down to goal difference. So we still need to beat Mexico next week to be completely certain of qualification. Switzerland meanwhile is now eliminated and Mexico is already well out of it. But as I say, they could still spoil our party, so we've got to watch that.

One bit of good news is that Bosnia still has to play the USA (next week, in fact), so if the USA continue their winning ways, then we'll be right regardless of what happens against Mexico. But hopefully we can still deal to Mexico. Apart from anything else, another win would do no harm to our ranking next season.

It's official now! Congrats!

Sleuthmeister wrote: Indeed it is, and thanks guys! We beat Mexico 45-21, and in any case the USA beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, so I can now safely say that for the first time ever, WE'RE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP!

congratulations!!!!!