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
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8 Oct 2011, 12:31 pm
@woodenspoon,
I just hope that on the day of the final, Man city is not playing Stoke at footy, as that will dominate the tv, newsapers and the British web pages.
Clowns.
8 Oct 2011, 12:32 pm
wallabies are hurting from their loss against Ireland…thanks to Bryce…it is official that IRb bref boss apologised to Australia for Bryce weird interpretations at scrum time. 4 scrum penalties should not have been awarded to Ireland but the reverse should have happened. 3 of those penalties ireland scored points.
wallabies are hurting and they will ensure that the forwards get into gear…if the boks think that they have it in the bag which seems what most people think on this website…then wallabies will take it.
England thought they had it…they are FOB. First on the Boat home.
8 Oct 2011, 12:32 pm
@cane(cane)-543: whats your point?
8 Oct 2011, 12:33 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-547: Haha you have just rehashed the same games I mentioned. 3 true upsets.
I disagree that Wales beating Ireland was an upset. Wales over history actually dominate Ireland in terms of games won, and besides, you can’t call the winner of a 50/50 game an upset winner. Nice try, anyway.
England v France. This was a slight upset, you can have that. Bottom of the barrel stuff for you. But show me the person who didn’t have it in theback of his mind that France could win this game?
8 Oct 2011, 12:33 pm
@cane(cane)-517: Frogs or Wales are capable of choking the Pakeha out of the All Blacks … best you leave them to us, the good to take care of them so that Bill can be safe for 4MoY’s
8 Oct 2011, 12:34 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-509: Rubbish, just looked at quarters of 2007 and after 2 games 2011 scored 2 more tries, but after tomorrow it will be even stevens
So you live in your intent, just because you lovethe ABs now it all seems better
Get real
2007 had almost 500 000 unique visitors as compared to 90 000 and many upsets and I bet 2007 will have more tries at the end of the day
All RWCs are great
8 Oct 2011, 12:34 pm
Its amazing. But when any team plays and wins, people like KKK and Jackoffuba
go out of their way and get all nasty about Kiwis.
If had ever seen a chip on anyones shoulders its these two lovers.
8 Oct 2011, 12:34 pm
@BULLET(BULLET)-546:
No need for an apology Bullet.
We step over the mark Ourselves…………………………..often.
It’s an individual thing.
Not a Nation thing.
8)
8 Oct 2011, 12:34 pm
@cane(cane)-543: Listen Boet… you were always going to be incapable of holding a WC… you kiwis just pulled rank or whatever you did to get it. It always stated that it was going to be a loss. Now you’ve got you farkin begging bowl out at every opportunity.
F’ark your earthquake man, get over it, stop bleating & whining & just deal with it… Africa & the 3rd world deal with those sort of issues daily. No-one says a word.
8 Oct 2011, 12:34 pm
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-552: oh so now the Walabies are the underdogs? hahaha Please man have you read the headlines in your country? According to you lot this is just a formality. A mere fly to swat out of the way and history points to that fact – you have the right to win because you beat us savages 5 out of 6 times lately. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
8 Oct 2011, 12:35 pm
@JL1(JL1)-556: Pundy likes this RWC (for now) because his beloved kiwis are still in it.
8 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@RL(RL)-555:
Wales?
Where did you come up with that?
But you seem to be forgeting a little step thats in the way. Its the Ozzies.
They will beat you if your teams thinking about the next match like you are.
8 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-559: Man youre giving the rest of us a bad name. Its because of little twats like you that Saffas have a bad name. Shut the f up. You do not represent anything we as Africans stand for. D00s
8 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-557: it’s just a bunch of idiots. People here say the same about Poppa69 and Black Panther. Every country has them, as Cane says, it’s an individual thing – not a nation thing!
8 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-552: We the fans back our team
But the journos have all said Boks to lose, the pundits in Europe have said Boks to lose, your Jeremy Paul(arrogantly) also said that the Boks will lose
Seems to me the Boks are the underdogs for the match
8 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-562: theyre not just us fans hehe
8 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
Jocuba – grow up.
8 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm
Aussies are the favourites, the pundits and bookies have spoken.
8 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-559:
Well all i can say is i am living in Christchurch.
We just had another 4.8 earthquake today. Our house has been inspected and its going to cost over 50,000 dollars to fix. I am still living through earthquakes everyday. Over 7000 in a year and you reckon get over it? Come to Christchurch ya pu$$y. Lets see what you think
8 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@RL(RL)-555:
Wales didn’t look like they would cause too many problems for NZ/Oz/SA.
As for France, they never put in two consecutive performances in a WC.
Bill is coming home.
8)
8 Oct 2011, 12:40 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-559:
faark you
people died
I was gutted seeing the devestation having spent some time there.
you speak for yourself on this one,not for the rest of us.
8 Oct 2011, 12:41 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-564:
All good mate. I know and it is the same few on here.
I know who the real rugger fans are.
8 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-540:
How many Kiwi bloggers were there?
How many were chanting these things you are referring to?
1? 2? 4?
How did that relate to the New Zealand pubic?
In case you don’t realise their appear to be a few cognitive flaws in the process you have gone through to draw your conclusion.
8 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-561: Exactly!
@jocuba(jocuba)-559: Read this and then slap yourself two shots over the face
I disagree with the attitude and manner in which the Kiwi conveyed the message, and I also like what John O Neill says about a RWC without all the big players
Rugby World Cup 2011
SANZAR united over RWC
2011-10-07 13:51Email | Print
John O’Neill (Getty Images)
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Wellington – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have lost more than $30 million in revenue this year due to the Rugby World Cup and the southern hemisphere rugby powerhouses want the game’s governing body to re-examine the tournament’s commercial impact, Australian Rugby Union (ARU) CEO John O’Neill said.
The comments were another shot across the bow of the International Rugby Board (IRB) following New Zealand’s Steve Tew suggestion they would assess the team’s participation in England in four years’ time unless the IRB changed the commercial model and revenue sharing.
IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller responded earlier this week that “everyone is replaceable” when asked whether the World Cup would miss the All Blacks.
“The issues that are on the table at the moment relating to the financial consequences of participating in a World Cup are acutely felt by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and that has brought us together in a very unified way,” O’Neill told reporters.
“We had hoped to get the World Cup out of the way and in a quieter moment with the IRB look at the timing of World Cups, the distribution policy and finally the commercial rules on what you can and can’t do during a World Cup.
“It’s not frivolous, it’s a serious matter.”
Speaking at the announcement of the Australian team to face South Africa in Sunday’s quarter-final, O’Neill said the SANZAR nations (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) had lost about $36.9 million this year in decreased broadcast revenues, sponsorship and ticket sales.
O’Neill was not prepared to suggest that Australia would boycott the 2015 World Cup at this stage but for the IRB to suggest the All Blacks were dispensable was “nonsensical”.
“There’s a great saying I picked up from a South African once, ‘We’ll double cross that bridge when we get to it,’” O’Neill added.
“I’m hopeful of a sensible resolution. Threatening to boycott a World Cup is not our style, but the notion that any team is replaceable is nonsensical.
“A World Cup without the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks, I’m not sure that’s a World Cup.
“That’s not a path we want to go down. We think the resolutions are there.”
8 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@chch(chch)-573:
New Zealand public (not pubic)
8 Oct 2011, 12:43 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-563: You bleating as well now & being the tough cyber titty. Whatever…
Gloves came off a long time ago & I’ve been suitably offended by a number of them. So – back it goes with interest…. if someone chooses to take it personally well its up to them.
8 Oct 2011, 12:44 pm
@jocuba(Shiit for brains)-559:
We are getting over it.
We just couldn’t hold 2 QF matches where there were scheduled.
What was your point again?
8 Oct 2011, 12:45 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-576: fair play man but what you said is completely out of line. Think about it. Innocent people died due to natural circumstances and the city continues to suffer the effects. its no joke. Karma remember.
8 Oct 2011, 12:47 pm
Convicts are the hot favourites indeed, the world press and former internationals alleverwhere say so.
8 Oct 2011, 12:47 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-576:
I cant inmaging any Kiwis on here telling you guys to get over a natural disaster thats killed hundreds of people and it looks like there are a few good South Africans that know your gone done a bad road and you now look to be on your own.
Lonely, i am so lonely, i have nobody….. take it away Jacoffuba
8 Oct 2011, 12:47 pm
The Samoan PM has a point, BUT COME ON! Did Samoa honestly expect (or believe) to beat SA?
SA will beat Samoa every time, even with a Samoan ref.
Samoans have a few justified criticisms (their schedule being the main one), but boy have they shown themselves as a nation of whingers.
Wellington – Samoa’s Prime Minister has slammed the International Rugby Board (IRB) for allowing a Welshman to referee his country’s Rugby World Cup loss to South Africa last week, which saw Wales make the quarter-finals at Samoa’s expense.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi also accused the sport’s governing body of bias towards the northern hemisphere and called for a ‘British Lions’ team to replace England, Wales and Scotland at the World Cup.
Tuilaepa said Samoans were bitterly disappointed at last week’s 13-5 loss to the Springboks, when players complained bad calls from Welsh referee Nigel Owens derailed a furious second-half fightback.
Centre Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu even took to his Twitter account to accuse Owens of racism, prompting the IRB to ban him from all rugby indefinitely.
Samoa, South Africa, Fiji and Wales were all bracketed in Pool D, the so-called “pool of death”, in the tournament’s opening stages.
Wales edged ahead of Samoa in the race for the quarter-finals when they beat the Pacific Islanders 17-10 in Hamilton, but the Samoans could still have qualified second in the group with a win over South Africa in Auckland.
Tuilaepa said he had legitimate concerns about why a Welsh whistleblower controlled the match.
“The question has to be asked, why was a Welsh referee appointed to control the South Africa-Samoa game when, obviously, the result would determine if Wales gets into the quarter-finals?” he said in a statement issued Saturday.
He pointed out that Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering was also chairman of the IRB committee which last April assigned referees to World Cup matches, including Owens to the Samoa-South Africa clash.
“The choice was deliberate, the intention, obvious,” Tuilaepa added in the statement, which was headlined “IRB referees bringing the game into disrepute”.
He also released a list of 12 decisions by Owens that he said went against Samoa, including an “excessive” late red card shown to full-back Paul Williams for striking.
“The onus should have been on the IRB to appoint completely neutral referees with no conflict of rugby and nationality interests,” he said. “The whole process including the IRB’s governance structure is wrong and needs urgent revising.”
Tuilaepa demanded the IRB “look beyond its petty northern hemisphere comfort zone, and realize that the world — countries big and small — is picking up a rugby ball and expects to play on a level playing field.”
He also took a swipe at British representation at the World Cup, saying a single “British Lions” team should replace England, Wales and Scotland.
“The biggest facade in world rugby is how the IRB and British unions managed to pull the wool over our rugby eyes that England, Wales and Scotland are different countries,” he said.
Tuilaepa said the 2015 World Cup in England should have “neutral” referees, a “British Lions” team and at least seven days rest for all teams between matches. Tight turnaround times were another Samoan bugbear at this tournament.
“Failure to do so and we feel there is ample substance here to take these matters to a higher court,” he said, without specifying which court he was referring to.
The British and Irish Lions are a longstanding touring team drawn from the leading players in England, Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland.
They generally play series every four years against one of the leading rugby nations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Their next tour is to Australia in 2013.
8 Oct 2011, 12:48 pm
@RL(RL)-555:
Choke the white out of the black?
Maori language fail
8 Oct 2011, 12:50 pm
Hurricane #569 i never knew you had so many quakes in a year 1st i have heard of this feel a bit sorry for you guys,but i hope tomorrow the argies are another quake(in rugby terms) waiting to happen for the AB`s,nothing personal i just hope the ab`s get beat,you cannot blame me for wishing that.
8 Oct 2011, 12:51 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-581:
Hey wooden, you of all people know you must believe to win.
Samoa did not play SA to lose. I think they did believe they could win. Thanks to Ozzie Samoa now believe they can play and beat the big guns. Good on them.
But they also need to learn the game will not always gets refed the way you want it to be.
8 Oct 2011, 12:51 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-581:
There were some interesting debates during the week about who owns the All Blacks. A reminder for many New Zealanders that even though the NZRU organise the team that represents us we (the NZ public) have no say over how we want our team managed.
8 Oct 2011, 12:52 pm
@JL1(JL1)-574: So its official, ’87 new zealand win and ’91 aussie win don’t count, for “A World Cup without the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks, I’m not sure that’s a World Cup.”
BEEN SAYING IT FOR YEARS!
8 Oct 2011, 12:52 pm
Anyway I’ve got to go … hope that Zorba does not punish my Lions like he did in the first match.
Go Lions, ROAR.
8 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm
@chch(chch)-585:
that referred to 574
all big posts look alike
8 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-581: It’s just embarrassing really. They played so dirty Bakkies was red faced
Samoa should not be allowed to take part in the next RWC as punishment for this outburst. It is not how one handles these things.
8 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm
@blueboy(blueboy)-583:
No we cannot Bluey.
The Enemy of my Enemy is Australia.
8)
8 Oct 2011, 12:54 pm
@blueboy(blueboy)-583:
hahaha, all good Blue.
I expect alot of the Bok supporters would be going for the Argies, its all good.
Myself i will be going for the Boks tomorrow. I dont think there have been many times i had wanted the Boks to lose, but thats just me, i am a bit odd
8 Oct 2011, 12:54 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-559:
Who got out the begging bowl?
8 Oct 2011, 12:55 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-571: I well appreciate the tragedy/disaster. I’ve lived in conflict zones my entire life… & spent a large part of my working life immersed in tragedy & devastation across Africa. Maybe I’m desensitised or just hardened to the issues.
I do get it though… & I speak for myself not for anyone else. Anyway… thats it – I should respect that this is a rugby blog & should never have posted my personal views. My sincere apologies to all that have been offended.
8 Oct 2011, 12:56 pm
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-586:
OH boy, give it up. So your now an O’Neil fan
8 Oct 2011, 12:58 pm
You guys missed the dude last week saying “it was funny that more people may commit suicide in New Zealand if the ABs lose than what dies in your pissy earthquake”
That was nice. Have not seen him on since. Probably another nick name change.
8 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm
@jocuba(jocuba)-593:
Accepted.
Tomorrow is a new day.
One thing Keo.Comedy has taught me. Hold no grudges.
(well not many anyway).
8)
8 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-560:
Never said we were the underdog! we were at the blunt end of some poor ref decisions and based on that the boks and supporters think they just need to turn up. Just turn up and the hurting wallabies will pull finger.
This tourney is quickly showing that attacking teams are being rewarded…in the past due to the laws the knock out stages went into conservative mode. The two teams who attacked today got rewarded.
The boks could have made the most of it by dropping smit and put in bismark and then an extra back on the bench.
8 Oct 2011, 13:00 pm
(not many in my case is about 72)
8 Oct 2011, 13:01 pm
@JL1(JL1)-556:
‘unique users’
~guffaw~
poor you, no matter how much you implored RWC’11 to be a failure, the fans love of being in the Home of Rugby, and how it inspired all the teams, took your wee dream away. You would have HATED the Viaduct today, it was absoluuuuutely M A G I C !
ask Transie. He woz there.
8 Oct 2011, 13:02 pm
@chch(chch)-573:
If he had a brain you could say a few cognitive flaws…I am afraid you are wrong…it is one cognitive flaw NO BRAIN!
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