There is trouble in Australia as I speak.

Australia is no longer certainties to lift the Rugby League World Cup on November 22nd because the trophy is missing.

Once found on a Bradford rubbish tip after being lost for 20 years, the Rugby League World Cup was sent from Melbourne to Brisbane by courier late last week. It is the first time it has travelled without an escort so far in the tournament.

The courier company's computer system duly broke down, rendering the scanning system which finds containers and packages inoperable. Officials said last night they thought the cup was at Brisbane Airport but weren't sure where. Tournament director Colin Love said they still haven't found it and he hoped the Cup would turn up soon.

This means that the teams are currently playing for a cup which is somewhere in Australia.