Bye Bye England

Bye Bye England

8 Oct 2011

MARK KEOHANE reports from Auckland on another famous French World Cup win.

For once New Zealanders could appreciate it when a group of French rugby players get that mad look in their eye, defy logic, form and common sense and win a rugby game in which few gave them a chance.

France usually reserves the unexpected for the All Blacks (1999 and 2007) but against a limp England passion and patience was enough of a Saturday night drink to daze England and make them look like the rugby drunks they have been all tournament.

France won 19-12 and could have had more points, but for two missed penalties and two missed conversions. They led 16-0 in a first 40 when England came close to scoring in the last movement of the half but never exerted enough pressure to even win a penalty kick at posts.

The French pack was superior and individually hooker William Servat and No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy were immense, especially in the first hour. Scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvilli played conductor in that period in which France triumped because of bloody mindedness more than brilliance. It was similar to the win against the All Blacks in 2007 because this was a grind in the last quarter, but the two matches don’t rate in comparison.

French captain Thierry Dusautoir said as much afterwards, telling the media that in 2007 France had beaten the best team in the world to advance to the semi-finals, but this was not the case at Eden Park.

England are a poor side. They beat Argentina 13-9 and needed 75 minutes to subdue the Pumas. They then needed a 78th minute try to beat Scotland 16-12 and up until the 78th minute against France they trailed 19-7.

England losing is good riddance. They were diabolical on the night, as they have been all tournament. Coach Martin Johnson thought otherwise and applauded the courage of his team. He felt England were the more creative team and that the difference was France took their limited chances and scored early. England, he said, were always chasing the game and were lacking in composure. But he added this was the England team of the future and that he (as coach) wasn’t planning on going anywhere in a hurry.

England, in 2007, were bad in losing to South Africa 36-0 but upstaged Australia 12-10 in the quarter-final before edging France. In the final they were a poor second to the Boks.

In four years little has been advanced in this England team. The Boks and All Blacks have smashed them by record margins in London, the Wallabies have beaten them in London and Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France have also enjoyed success against a side that has never settled on a pattern of play. Neither has Johnson ever had the conviction to axe those who played with him in the 2003 World Cup success in Australia.

Hero of the 2003 World Cup victory Jonny Wilkinson was among those Johnson refused to give up on, but the once great kicker was a shadow of the player who won England the World Cup with a right footed drop goal. Wilkinson, so plagued by injury in the last five years, kicked at 60 percent at the 2007 World Cup in France and he ended this tournament with the worst goalkicking average of the leading kickers with just 10 from 20.

Johnson subbed him on the hour and he will not play for England again. It was a cruel way for him to go, but there was nothing cruel about the manner of English defeat.

England, on the night, were dire and a Marc Cueto try in the 78th minute added to the illusion this was a close match. It never was. England were never in the game and only referee Steve Walsh’s charity ensured they stayed in the game. Walsh penalised France 11 times in the last hour before finally giving the victors a penalty in the last minute.

England at this World Cup have been a disgrace in the way they behaved and played. The tournament is the richer for their departure. Wales will play France in what should be a magnificent World Cup semi-final match.


1,082 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 22 » Show All

  • 1.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:05 am

    Aux armes citoyens,
    Forme vos bataillons,

  • 2.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:05 am

    Marchons, Marchons

  • 3.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:11 am

    John Robbie reckons England will grind them into the ground
    Pieter de Villiers (the rugby player, not the clown) calls France but he said it is a “heart” call.

  • 4.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:13 am

    Want France to win, but everything sane screams England will take this with relative comfort. Especially without Tindall at 12, Flood should get their backline flowing.

  • 5.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:13 am

    Allez le bleu! France to take it.

  • 6.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:14 am

    And there’s a frog called padda – I mean parra.

    The discipline of England should see them through. The flair of the French might just not be enough.

    And the players may end up playing out of their skins despite their coach and not because of him. But i can’t see that happening.

  • 7.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:15 am

    Damn Francois Pienaar is a good commentator.

    Usually the SA ones are pretty poor.

    Someone at Supersport give this man a contract.

  • 8.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:17 am

    Reckon if any team has a chance of beating the All Blacks in the final (if it pans out that way) it’s the French (with their best team this time).

    But which team would SA rather meet in the final (if it pans out that way)?

    Reckon both NZ and SA would rather meet Eng.

  • 9.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:18 am

    They probably will.

    Supersport rapidly running out of staff.

  • 10.carol: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:19 am

    E N G L A N D….

    ENGLAND

    England……

  • 11.carol: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:20 am

    Have I got time for a shower?

  • 12.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:20 am

    Allez le blues!
    Win this game and after the game let your c ockrells loose on the eager kiwi chicks!
    If you lose,do it anyway.

  • 13.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:21 am

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-12: LOL

  • 14.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:21 am

    @Tartan(Tartan)-4: Flood could be a weakness at 12.

  • 15.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:24 am

    Lets go Pommiessssssssssss yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaa think its also going to be a brilliant game, cept this time i will get points on bru.

  • 16.cab: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:24 am

    Let us go watch another huge one.

  • 17.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:24 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-14:
    Possibly, but he used to play there regularly, and Wilkinson is still relatively pretty good in defence for a 10, so the channel shouldn’t be too bad.
    What could be interesting is if Tindall was being kept in purely to make sure Tuilagi was lined up properly defensively – he looked a bit off in defence against Georgia with Hape there.

  • 18.carol: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:25 am

    Stuff the ‘Blues’…!!

    Blood up now….

    I may sing our national anthem out loud, will startle the dogs. :lol:

  • 19.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:25 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-13:
    I had a ironfist in a velvet glove approach with the kiwis,but the gloves are coming off now.
    Seems like BlackPanty had a late night,cause he isnt here.
    Gwanty most probly came back from the beach and is having a shower whilst singing “I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair.”

  • 20.carol: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:25 am

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-15:
    Cheers Hugs…

  • 21.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:26 am

    French front row is surprisingly light. 105, 103 and 107kg.

    Luckily they’re up against that bearded fella, that humpty dumpty hooker and another fatty.

  • 22.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:28 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-21:
    Call that light?
    What is a good avg weight for a frontrow?

  • 23.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:29 am

    @Tartan(Tartan)-17: Yeah you’re right about Tindall

  • 24.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:29 am

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-19: Hehehe

  • 25.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:29 am

    both these teams have been kak, very difficult to predict a winner.

    logic says england
    french logic says france.

  • 26.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:29 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-21:

    Dont even mention the word “humpty dumty hooker”
    There is only one :)

  • 27.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:29 am

    Marchons

    Marchons

  • 28.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:30 am

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-22: Props – at least 110kg, and up to 125kg. Hooker – anywhere between 105 and 115 kg.

  • 29.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:30 am

    Come on France, make my superbru right!!!!! Beat these English roses, stick it to them!

  • 30.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:31 am

    Wow the french are amped.
    England side not so much,must be because of all the imports they have.
    Mercenaries,no pride in their adopted country,only there for the pounds.

  • 31.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:31 am

    France to take this. Can see it in the Anthems…

    Wonder if the Kiwis are singing God save the Queen… after all she is their Queen still.

  • 32.David: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:31 am

    Oh dear. Crecy, Agincourt, Trafalgar, Waterloo. The French just never learn. :lol:

  • 33.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:31 am

    @Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-25:

    It depends whether France have the stomach for a scrap.
    I got a sneaky suspicion they might be up for it today but hopefully I am wrong.

  • 34.Nils: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:31 am

    Allez la France!

  • 35.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-26: No this Thompson fella is not only the ugliest hooker at the 2011 RWC, he has also been written off by all the kings horses and all the kings men. Lost case.

  • 36.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am

    Go England!

  • 37.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-24:
    BlackPanty most prob singing the same tune.

  • 38.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am

    @carol(carol)-20: Howzat doll! if you sing anything like me your dogs will run away with tail between there legs lol

  • 39.carol: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-26:
    :lol: Hehehehh

    Hope you have your Union Jack out Rob?

  • 40.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:32 am

    Am outtahere to the pub… Breakfast and beer, then yours truly plays a Vets match this afternoon… A terrible day in store.

  • 41.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:33 am

    Lol Steve is so cute

  • 42.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:34 am

    Jock, if you’re reading here’s an email to contact me if you’re in London Town and want beer tomorrow

    jerich2010@hotmail.co.uk

  • 43.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:34 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-40:
    Vets game for who?

  • 44.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:34 am

    Steve Walsh on the bottle again!

  • 45.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:34 am

    Ref Steve, that is.

  • 46.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:35 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-33:
    If France aren’t up for a scrap with England of all sides, then they deserve to go home.

  • 47.ET.: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:35 am

    If France play like they did in the first 10 mins. of the AB game and for at least 50 of the 80 mins. then France will advance.

    Show us some of you known flair and we will enjoy it too.

  • 48.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:36 am

    @carol(carol)-20: Oh and also,,,,,,,, when you see 4man later please give him a big hug from me and tell him am so sorry about his dog.

  • 49.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:38 am

    Vertel hulle steve!

  • 50.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 Oct 2011, 09:38 am

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-43: That would be telling :wink:

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