The Manly Pacific hotel is under siege. All day long white-clad rather-barmy armies of rugby fans have been arriving like an invading force while England name their team inside, dropping Mike Catt for the robust Mike Tindall at centre.
The Manly Ferry from Circular Quay takes 25 minutes. That’s nothing when you have travelled halfway around the world to pay homage to your nation’s finest.
The latest counts suggest upwards of 35 000 English fans are here for the Rugby World Cup final against Australia on Saturday night. Most have travelled out from Sydney to catch a glimpse of their idols on Wednesday.
While the Wallabies are hiding hundreds of miles up the coast at Coffs Harbour, England are happily surrounded by their adoring entourage.
In front of me, the deep blue sea, behind me a white tide of fans, clapping as various England squad members move across the hotel balcony or, even better, across the road to sign autographs and pose for pictures.
Mike Catt, dropped to the replacement’s bench for the final after starring roles in the quarterfinal win over Wales and the semi against France last Sunday, doesn’t appear unduly perturbed.
His place in history is assured. He’s the guy who took the pressure of Jonny Wilkinson’s shoulders … he signs shirts readily, but only for those who say please.
Who knows, he may come on as a replacement and throw that World Cup winning pass.
Inside the hotel, a relaxed and compliant England are giving their views.
Seven weeks of repetitive questioning, but still they grin and bear it.
I could give you any number of players’ views, but let’s start with foraging flanker Neil Back, man of the match in my book in the high-pressure games against South Africa, Samoa, Wales and France.
With microphones just about shoved up his nose by the huge media pack, he said calmly: ”Whatever the result on Saturday, it will all have been worth it.”
The key?
”This team is able to adapt to the referee. We can change our game to suit the decisions being made.”
That won’t please the Aussie press, who fear South African referee Andre Watson has already got the knives out for rent-a-gob Wallaby captain George Gregan.
What keeps Backie going after all those years of rejection for being too small?
”The whole buzz, the immense concentration, the togetherness, for the past 10 years. And the fact that Clive Woodward has kept picking me since 1997.”
And the Aussie are your favourite foe asks one local, Ben Kimber of the Sydney Morning Herald?
”We don’t care who we play. We play in any conditions. We are confident we can beat anyone.”
Now over to full-back Josh Lewsey, the former soldier, whose June hit on Mat Rogers during the mighty Melbourne win over the Wallabies is the subject of The Australian newspaper’s back page on Wednesday morning.
Josh, one try behind the top-scorers in the tournament with five alongside Will Greenwood, says: ”The World Cup final is not a burden, it’s a privilege. But you’ve got to put that behind you.
”It’s ironic, you chase a rugby ball around and you touch so many people’s lives. We met a guy with cancer and his dying wish was to see us play.
”That brings it home to you.
”I’ve got mates doing service in Iraq texting me to see how we’re getting on. But you’ve got to put that out of your head.
”Whatever happens on Saturday, win or lose, it won’t be for lack of effort.
”When it’s all over I have a treat planned. But I can’t tell you what it is. Being next to the beach like this is a bit frustrating for a surfer like me but a few days of sacrifice won’t hurt.
”I’ll be glad to go back to a bit of normality. There will be a huge release after the final, a letting out of breath.
”I don’t want to go in to the ins and outs of what’s said in the dressing room. Everyone has their own motivations.
”We’re fully aware a lot of people are watching at home but you do whatever you do before the match. That doesn’t change.
”Your mind mustn’t stray from what’s important, the 15 gold shirts in front of you.”
Amen. Three days to go.