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, 20:33 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-900: I reckon it will be close. Boks by 5.
How about you, going for a Bok loss?
8 Oct 2011, 20:37 pm
Nope I’m not going for a Boks loss
I’m expecting a Boks win as I always do.. except this time I am only 50% sure of it where if that useless lardass was not playing I’d be at least 80% sure of it…
9 from 10 3N losses in 2 years under that palooka does NOT spell success in anyone’s lame vocabulary…
8 Oct 2011, 20:37 pm
@grant10(grant10)-859: You know Grant
Why do you not slate Diek Muir with his backline ad naseuam?
Or Gary Gold when the scrums were rubbish
Or the three selectors for poor choices
Tell me budgie smuggler, o tell me
Or PDV for deciding on Smt as his captain. You cannot stomach Smit can you? Very personal issues with Smit, did he maybe say “NO” to your advances?
8 Oct 2011, 20:41 pm
@JL1(JL1)-903: I got no time for that absolute loser either.. every time he wears green and gold he loses
so pray tell who is that thick that they keep giving these losers time after time to prove themselves and they don’t but they are STILL the f’ng bees knees aura leader that can do no wrong yet they only deliver LOSSES , one after the next after the next again and again Ad Nauseam ?
8 Oct 2011, 20:45 pm
If Smit actually wins tomorrow it will be an absolute turn up for the books.. his recent record is SO f’ng pathetic it reads something like less than 10% success prior to this WC…
I’m telling you if Smit returns back ANOTHER f’ng loss tomorrow he is going to know ALL about it… Absofuckinglutely !!!
8 Oct 2011, 20:45 pm
John Smit – Our Captain
You are our Cappie
But they say you are a fatty
This is your time oh Captain
Show them a brown eye
And make their names Popeye.
8 Oct 2011, 20:47 pm
Pierre Spies – Spiiiiieeeessss
Die skare op Loftus raak mal
As Pierre hardloop met die bal
Hy is sterk en vinnig
En op verdediging meer as gewillig.
8 Oct 2011, 20:48 pm
So anyone doubt the pool B strength ?
Well done Wales and France
8 Oct 2011, 20:48 pm
really sad to say HAERE RA to the Irish and their fans yesterday, theyve been truly magnificent, and NZs adopted-team thus far.
Really hope to say HAERE RA to the Argies and their superb fans today, too, if anything their fans embody even more about what rugby days are all about. Colourful, humorous, friendly, old-school ethos. And guys, our women love you and we love your women too – any chance of a trade ?
But certainly the fans with the most numbers en force have been the Mighty French, and how superb they were pre-match yesterday. They can certainly do a magnificent impression of being aloof and too sophisticated for their own very good on non-match days, but boy are they colourful on the eve of the whistle !
Havent seen tooooooo many Taffs here, maybe their fans are still holed up at the Gatfathers place in The Tron and will descend on Auckalofa en masse this week. Certainly their team has been magnificent and will prove worthy Finalists should they make it that far.
The English ? well, much as we all hate their team and their boorish off-piste attitude as to what constitutes ‘rugby’, their fans always turn out in vast numbers no matter how truly sh*t their team is playing. They are not fair-weather fans in any way shape or form.
I havent made up my mind about the Bokke Army, but they DO tend to march everywhere in large groups in their full-length coats as if theyre on an arctic exploration before The War starts. Its been no surprise to find theyre completely humorless, there appears to be no joke-moustaches in the 10-rand shops in the Republic despite their incredibly tactless Isaac Washington-impersonator they seem to have hired for light relief as their touring comedian. They made no friends at Albany vs the friendly Islander folk and even ended up fighting between themselves. Maybe the stadium-ban in SA didnt extend to the van Zyl family in NZ ? Rumour has it that they insist on cooking their own meals wherever they go. I had the privilege and no little pleasure of sharing a half-bott of pinot gris with Nick Mallet and Smokin Joe Stanley at Snap Dragon, Viaduct, yesterday. Lovely man that Mallet.
The Wallabies and their fans have been treated to the same amount of respect and warmth accorded to NZ fans in Oz throughout our history. Atleast they are good company outside of game-day and they have an incredible, innate, ability to completely forget about bad results as-if they never occurred. They are used to a lack of neutral support here but atleast they will have good company in that respect today at the CakeTin. But I suspect they may, indeed, be surprised today to hear a few nasal cheers given the more attractive style of their game compared to their opponents. Lets hope the Boks prove us all wrong and spin the farken thing, but I suspect they wont.
Good luck to all the teams today. Im in serious need of a rest but no more than my liver.
8 Oct 2011, 20:49 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-895:
do we have to play them twice ?
8 Oct 2011, 20:50 pm
Fourie du Preez – Die Generaal
Hy dink slim en speel vinnig
Dekades voor al die ander neges
Hy skop ‘n up-and-under
En ly sy span tot legendariese seges.
8 Oct 2011, 20:52 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-910:
No we will play Wales twice
8 Oct 2011, 20:53 pm
Amen
8 Oct 2011, 20:54 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-910: it is still “today” here. So, how many? 40? 50? 60 perhaps?
8 Oct 2011, 20:54 pm
and if he DOES f’ng Lose again he better not come with his smug f’ng sheepish smile and give all manner of f’ng gift of the gab excuses for the loss.. He better MAN up BIG TIME and APOLOGIZE for fckng up this team with his arrogant over ambitious expectations to try be somebody he is NOT.. and for putting his own lame f’ng over aggrandized ambitions ahead of the Springbok team..
He better f’ng WIN this time …. or ELSE !!!
8 Oct 2011, 20:55 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-913:
You still praying Dawn?
Dont worry boks will win
8 Oct 2011, 20:55 pm
I’m still pondering whether that’s actually Panty’s take on the fans or whether it’s a cut and paste jobbie…
If it is his own work, no surprise then that the only fans who get a bad rap are the South African ones
B.Troll (masters)
8 Oct 2011, 20:57 pm
GOOD LUCK TO OUR BOKS TOMORROW.
GO BOKKE GO.
8 Oct 2011, 20:57 pm
Wow, haven’t felt so nervous before a game in ages.
It must be sheer torture for the kiwi fans.
8 Oct 2011, 20:59 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-915:
Today I wear my Bok jersey with Pride the whole day and may even sleep in it tonight when we win
8 Oct 2011, 20:59 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-917: Scroll past the Troll. You’ll be a lot happier in life.
8 Oct 2011, 20:59 pm
@Puma(Puma)-918: **** ****!
8 Oct 2011, 20:59 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-909: You like that Nick the Oxford Blue.. perhaps he’s far less sure of himself these days and developed some humility in his old age since he’s been coaching losing teams the past 10 years or so…
8 Oct 2011, 21:00 pm
Amen to BP’s epistle.
8 Oct 2011, 21:00 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-922: **** ****! = H O O R – H O O R!
8 Oct 2011, 21:01 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-925: HEAR – HEAR!
8 Oct 2011, 21:01 pm
@Puma(Puma)-918: Nice one Puma!
GO BOKKE!
8 Oct 2011, 21:01 pm
For the record, press coverage and TV here in the USA for this world cup
Nada, niks, fokall A disgrace but true
8 Oct 2011, 21:02 pm
I dunno who needs to pray or be nervous about this little game tomorrow..
Boks should CLEAN up the Aussies.. If they DON’T they are in for BIG KAK when they get home..
and forget praying… God got no vested interest in who wins or loses tomorrow thats for ABSOLUTE certain…
8 Oct 2011, 21:03 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-914:
‘today’ is today in RWC Host City.
I’ll take a 1-pt win, thanks very much all the same.
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-919:
You should be, it must be like ordering your last meal on Death Row.
Dont worry, only 724 secs to go.
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-917:
you wouldnt know original material if it bit you on the arse. Too much time laughing at Cli Che Guevera, not enough speedwork.
8 Oct 2011, 21:03 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-928: I heard the USA games were all shown on terrestrial tv (was it NBC?) and that was seen as a big coup in introducing the masses to rugby. I take it none of the other games are being shown then?
What about DirectTV?
8 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-930: How the faark do you come up with your count? Be careful, you might wake up and realise you are a di ck.
8 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
I don’t pray about rugby
It was amen to BP’s sermon
8 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-928: Yanks…. giving 16 year olds their own TV show for being a ****…. it kinda says a lot.
8 Oct 2011, 21:06 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-929: Boks should CLEAN up the Aussies..
I don’t agree. I think the match is in the balance.
Losing to Australia, as much as it will hurt, will hardly be the biggest upset – IN FACT the bookies have the Aussies to win.
You’re just trying to set up a big “I told you so” now, aren’t you?
Come now, let’s not lose sight of the fact that this will be a very difficult game and neither of the teams can firmly go into into believing they just have to pitch up.
Bounce of the ball, ref call stuff.
8 Oct 2011, 21:06 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-912:
Ive never heard anyone look forward to the Bronze medal match with such genuine passion before.
8 Oct 2011, 21:06 pm
I don’t own a Springbok jersey I never been one for superstitious omens and paraphernalia and all that jazz.. I simply support the team.. that’s why I get absolutely befok mal when they fck up like morons and select the WRONG personnel to do the deed and their duty…
That Smit palooka better deliver this time or ELSE there is BIG KAK when he gets home.. he better stay over there in kiwi land… if he knows whats good for him..
8 Oct 2011, 21:09 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-937:
That Smit palooka better deliver this time or ELSE there is BIG KAK when he gets home.. he better stay over there in kiwi land… if he knows whats good for him…
Or else what? You’re going to write some nasty words about him?
8 Oct 2011, 21:09 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-923:
Never met him before, Skop. I always liked him as a coach tho. You know what those Oxbridge types are like, always think theyre a cut above. Add the Passport in to the mix and, well…..
Wouldnt mind knowing who his tailor is, sweet threads bruv.
8 Oct 2011, 21:10 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-935: SO last time was a fluke.. so you agree we fluked that 5 penalty to 2 non event 4 years ago where we faced NOBODY of any consequence..
This WC is a REAL WC where the BEST have gotta beat the BEST.. Last time it was 4th rank team taking out 7th rank team in a 5 penalty to 2 snore fest where everybody else went home early and where scoring tries was actually not part of the menu…
8 Oct 2011, 21:10 pm
If Smit must gets the blame if we lose, he should also get the credit if we win.
8 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-931:
A few of the pool games and only USA and one canadian
2 on NBC others on Universal sports
Like all other boks supporters we are watching on line
They are trying but its not really happening
for many reasons
8 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
@JL1(JL1)-903:
when we post about PDV being a halfwit we include gold and muir and the selectors
as well as that fat f-uck smit
8 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
BP Mallet bromance.
8 Oct 2011, 21:13 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-936:
Actually the final
8 Oct 2011, 21:13 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-933:
too much Communion on matchday, again, Peaches ?
8 Oct 2011, 21:13 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-938: yeah I might just do that and publish them where they really cut… where he will KNOW who he tried to fool and let down… he better deliver this time.. no f’ng smug smiles and feeble little excuses after the fact..!
8 Oct 2011, 21:13 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-937:
Skop, get a Bok jersey, green will suit you!
8 Oct 2011, 21:14 pm
Wales in the 2nd half were awesome today. Great young team.
Better than the Boks
8 Oct 2011, 21:14 pm
Haha the first person to get the blame if they lose is the person right at the top, the coach.
(He who called Smit back from international retirement, he who made Smit his world cup captain).
But let’s not dwell on those issues for now. Losing to Australia, whilst difficult to swallow, will not really be the biggest shock. Games between the two teams are very evenly matched.
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