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, 14:10 pm
Where is Big T it, he said after the last
8 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
WC that as NZ departed at the 1/4 stage they were now ranked 8th in the world, does that still apply for this WC?
8 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
Anyway, I’m out. Later.
[I note Panther wouldn't answer my question]
8 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
@cane(cane)-680:
1. exclusively
2. in fact, I prefer it to be blunt.
8 Oct 2011, 14:13 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-698: NO. Cause it would not have upset the course of which Abs would have played.
You can only say upset if it changes the route the team has to go.
If Canada beat ABs on a one off test at home or in Canada then YES that would be a upset.
In a world cup a upset is only if it changes the course a team was expected to go. Otherwise it is not a upset.
8 Oct 2011, 14:13 pm
@nama1(nama1)-685:We are not on the same wave length hear buddy. That’s not what called myself.
In essence, PDV ‘s failure at the tournament will be remebered as the biggest ‘I told you so’ ..,..
8 Oct 2011, 14:15 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-683:
name ONE
the last ‘lie’ I was accused of was how many sons I have.
And you wonder why I dont answer your all silly ques’s.
8 Oct 2011, 14:17 pm
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-690:
Even in the unlikely event,
of an English Betting Syndicate, organising the “knobbling of the AB’s in 95″.
The actual act………………………………… was still carried out by the Whoore of Germiston. (where-ever the fhukk that is).
Saffadom Guilty as charged!
8 Oct 2011, 14:17 pm
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-684: No, I am saying Abbos have had more than enough time to sort themselves out. They just can’t or won’t.
There are exceptions to every rule for sure but that is the reality. A good few nations have been knocked around by the savageness of history, the Celts, the Britons, Saxons in the UK for example but they aren’t all layabout alcoholics… oh wait a sec…
8 Oct 2011, 14:17 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-704:
lol.
8 Oct 2011, 14:18 pm
@cane(cane)-696: We are sure due a win Cane…..hehehe. It is coming tomorrow.
8 Oct 2011, 14:19 pm
@cane(cane)-708: Suzie? Come now Cane kiwis don’t talk about that anymore… forward passes still, but not Suzie.
Besides, she lives in Auckland now.
8 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
Anyone that has had food poisoning would know that you can’t even get out of bed, let alone play a whole game of rugby. Total lies from a squad that was incredibly overrated. Morons go on about the England game and Jonah Lomu etc. Please. The Bok 36-0 victory and du Preez were oh so much more impressive.
8 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
@Puma(Puma)-700:
News to me Puma????
But hey……………………………………
8)
8 Oct 2011, 14:22 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-713:
Is the sky green and yellow in your world Kobe????
8 Oct 2011, 14:22 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-697: Hugs ..hehe
You know I make the most typos…. 
It was meant to be Fiji.
8 Oct 2011, 14:22 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-687:
crawling is when the trouble begins. Hope youve got those stair guards up.
Does that mean they are officially ‘Chinese’ – whats the rule on that ?
8 Oct 2011, 14:22 pm
@cane(cane)-708: dream on, we can only play who is put in front of you, who did you at lansdowne rd in 91, twickers in 99, sydney 2003, cardiff 2007. Susie?
8 Oct 2011, 14:23 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-707: OK Panther, you asked for one (you really shouldn’t have). So here goes:
1. You lied that JW had a losing record against Australia.
There you go. Liar.
8 Oct 2011, 14:24 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-712:
Probably true Goodie,
there are a lot of Old Saffa Whorres living on the North Shore.
8)
8 Oct 2011, 14:24 pm
@Puma(Puma)-705: ok Puma, we will have to agree to disagree on that one.
An upset to me is when the team unexpected to win, wins.
8 Oct 2011, 14:24 pm
i really dont like the english….
besides, this way its shaping up to be a sa-france final, that should be fun.
8 Oct 2011, 14:25 pm
@cane(cane)-714: Yip read Hougie and FdP was down on Thurday with food poisoning.
We saffas are tough Cane.
They will be up and ready to go for tomorrow.
8 Oct 2011, 14:25 pm
Ja. We can only hope that Smit breaks his arm in the first minute and Spies goes off shortly after. You can’t expect to play knockout rugby with 6 forwards, a fat guy and a fast body builder.
8 Oct 2011, 14:25 pm
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-718:
We have had a bit of bad luck it seems.
8)
8 Oct 2011, 14:26 pm
@cane(cane)-720: LOL
That’s why I won’t go to Auckland nor live there. Too many Aucklanders and too many South Africans. Wellington for me, even with the miserable weather.
8 Oct 2011, 14:26 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-724:
Not a fat guy. An old slug.
8 Oct 2011, 14:27 pm
it would seem that way, but its ying and yang my friend, you win almost everything else in the years in-between, can’t have everything
8 Oct 2011, 14:27 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-724: Perhaps Wouter Basson could redeem himself by poisoning Plod, coach and Muir.
I’d give him a Nobel Peace prize if he pulled that off.
8 Oct 2011, 14:27 pm
@cane(cane)-715:
KKK is the last self-made farmilionaire to have a black AND white tv.
8 Oct 2011, 14:27 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-724:
In Keo.Co terms………………………………………….You are “the fat guy”.
8)
8 Oct 2011, 14:27 pm
Wellington is better than Auckland.
My 2 cents worth.
8 Oct 2011, 14:27 pm
oh and tackler…you’re a ****…
8 Oct 2011, 14:29 pm
@once more unto the breach, dear springboks, once more…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-722:
” I really dont like the english….”
I should imagine they are not to fond of you either.
8 Oct 2011, 14:29 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-717:
Popped into internal affairs when I was home to organise citizenship and passports for them, both came through yesterday so they are officially kiwi kids, the Chinese governement doesn’t allow dual nationality but I’m hoping that changes in the future so they have a foot in both camps.
8 Oct 2011, 14:31 pm
@Puma(Puma)-688:
“A upset in a tournament is when it changes the course of the way it should have gone.”
Sorry Puma, I can’t agree with your definition although I can see where you are coming from.
For one, the draw for the WC is made a year or so in advance , I believe. Which means that a team can be seeded 1st or 2nd and be expected to reach the final according to the seeding. However a year later they might have slipped to no. 6 in the world and one can’t then say it is an upset if they don’t reach the semi’s or the final.
Wrt the Irish/Aus result. AfA I’m concerned, in a WC any of the top 6/8 teams can beat the other team especially in a tournament like the WC. Some results may surprise some people (everytime a NH team beat SA/NZ or Aus we are surprised) but to call it a “major upset” as some did two weeks ago, is in my opinion a sign of disrespect to the NH countries.
8 Oct 2011, 14:31 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-735: intresting place to in this day an age, how long you been living there?
8 Oct 2011, 14:31 pm
@cane(cane)-731:
Ooooooooooops sorry ………………………………………….”You are the fat slug”!
8 Oct 2011, 14:33 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-729:
Ja. The thing is, is that Smit’s selfish acts are only hurting himself. He thinks he’s enhancing his legacy with being the most capped Bok (reason why he traveled with the B side to catch Victor’s caps) and possibly being the first Captain to ever retain the world cup. He won’t be remembered for any of that. He’ll be remembered as the slow, fat, greedy, old pig that refused to retire and held down the best hooker in the world for his own personal gain costing his side. Tsk tsk.
If only he could hear the creative insults that come out of my mouth whilst I watch him. Hurtful words.
8 Oct 2011, 14:34 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-719:
thats not ‘lying’, Spooner. Thats called “being wrong”. Which I was and duly acknowledged as much as soon as you were so kind to point it out.
Just like Transie was quick to advise me of ‘Matfields 100th Test match’ and its timing. Wrong again.
I know, it was a shock to me too. Ive fired my research assistant.
Then again, I might be lying.
8 Oct 2011, 14:34 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-735:
Get “Made in China under licence from NZ ” tattooed on there bottoms just in case
8)
8 Oct 2011, 14:34 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-739: unfuckingbelievable, do you really think Smit picks himself, do remember what happened in 99 ….?
8 Oct 2011, 14:35 pm
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-737:
6 years but first visited as a young fella in 89′ what a farking eye opener that was
8 Oct 2011, 14:36 pm
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-742:
He forces the coaches hand. He should have the dignity to step down. He knows what he’s doing.
If PdV summons the courage to drop him, he’ll cause a scene and split the squad. Player power.
8 Oct 2011, 14:37 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-740: unfortunately, trolls aren’t given the benefit of the doubt.
CONTORTIONISTA!
8 Oct 2011, 14:37 pm
@cane(cane)-741:
ha ha good idea
8 Oct 2011, 14:37 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-739: and i suppose if we win with smit it will be because we are lucky, if we lose its his fault, he really can’t win in your eyes can he, its a good thing we all don’t think like you!
8 Oct 2011, 14:38 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-744: this is the most bizarre post of the day. And you know this how?
8 Oct 2011, 14:39 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-743: i have never been but watched from a distance, must be one helluva experience, and great adventure!
8 Oct 2011, 14:39 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-739: Can’t agree more. Ego, money and a wife with more in her trousers than half the Bulls’ pack I’d also do what she told me.
He’s a complete tool these days, too arrogant to see his own shortcomings, he reminds me of Graham Smith or Thabo Mbeki and the beetroot saga.
Mugabe with syphilis has more insights into himself than Smit these days.
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