Happy in exile: The French squad have received a good news fax from their exiled lucky mascot Diomede. The cockerel originally linked up with the French squad in Brisbane but was forced back to his farm after being struck by a bout of loneliness.

However, it appears Diomede has now made a full recovery, to such an extent that he has been having a good time with the local chickens who share his pen.

"He's having more luck in that department than we are," said one player in the French squad, which has been denied access to their partners until the semi-final stage.

One million and not out

The Rugby World Cup broke the 1,000,000 attendance barrier in Gosford yesterday.

The 19,653 crowd for Japan's 26-39 defeat by the United States at Central Coast Stadium took the overall attendance figure to 1,017,738.

With nine group matches and the knockout phase still to come, it is anticipated the overall figure will go beyond the 2,000,000 mark after the November 22nd final.

The name is not enough

Home town rugby league hero Mal Meninga had a ticket for Wales' game against Italy at Canberra Stadium.

He was not sitting in the main stand, where the media centre is, so when the Australia legend attempted to enter for a pre-arranged interview, over-officious security men would not let him through.

Claiming he did not have the right documentation, Meninga was sent on his way, barred from entering what just so happens to be called the Mal Meninga Stand!