ABs keep eyes on final prize
18 Oct 2011
While most of the country celebrated as if they’d won the Webb Ellis Cup last Sunday, veteran lock Brad Thorn has reminded New Zealand that the job is not done yet.
The All Blacks thumped the Wallabies 20-6 at Eden Park, but there was a lot of nerves in the build up to that game. The Kiwis in the crowd rose as one when Craig Joubert blew the final whistle, and while there was a prominent sense of elation, there was also a strong sense of relief.
Many of the local media men had described this fixture as a final of sorts, and not many people have give France a chance in the official final this coming Sunday. When speaking at a media gathering in Auckland, Thorn said it would be foolish to believe that the win is a formality.
‘Do you think anyone is going to care who won the semifinal in 2011? No-one is going to care. It’s what happens this weekend,’ said Thorn.
‘We’ve got world-class opposition coming up against us. Both teams have to prepare and we’ll see how it goes.’
The All Blacks will have a distinct advantage playing in front of a predominantly Kiwi crowd. Some said the team would choke due to the increased pressure of playing at home, but Thorn argued that the high level of local expectation has given this side a boost.
‘The New Zealand public have been huge for us, from Stewart Island to the top of the North Island. Some people say it’s like pressure, but to me it’s a lift. New Zealand people are just loving it and really want us to do well.
‘Growing up in Australia I can remember being a fan. For me in those moments when I bring my fist up to the crowd, it’s like enjoying the moment with them. It’s pretty special. Whatever happens [on Sunday] there will be a bit of sadness because this will be my last game in the black jersey. It’s a special time for me out there. It’s a good place for me to be.’
The 58-Test veteran said that New Zealand should be wary of an unpredictable French side.
‘You look at the French, as soon as that [Welsh] player went off [in the semi-final] I knew they’d struggle. They’ll come out and probably have a blinder this weekend. They’ve got an outstanding tight five, a loose trio up there with ours as best in the world, and dangerous backs.
‘I won’t be reading much [media] this week. I’m just preparing for a battle from the first minute to the 80th.’
25 Comments
18 Oct 2011, 00:49 am
Ticker tape parade apparantly organised………..Dragons, I trust not premature?
18 Oct 2011, 00:56 am
@whatever(whatever)-1:
apparantly?
Do you know this or you just clasping at straws?
18 Oct 2011, 00:57 am
Brad’s right. The job’s not done yet. And as for arranging a ticker-tape parade, that’s not a bad idea — if NZ wins, it’s all set up and properly arranged, If it’s not needed because the French amazingly have won, the parade is just quietly canned.
18 Oct 2011, 00:58 am
Go take what you deserve Richie. Anybody that want the ABs to lose this one is blind. I am still sad about the Boks and will be for 4 years. But this one belongs to the All Blacks.
18 Oct 2011, 00:59 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-2:
Just reading the Herald……… I don’t do straws dude
18 Oct 2011, 01:23 am
@whatever(whatever)-5:
Yep, straws are for girls
18 Oct 2011, 02:28 am
And Brad Thorn is tungsten steel. The old stalwart knows its his own last hurrah so he’ll give it heaps. When he speaks it sounds like he’s just gargled with nitric acid.
18 Oct 2011, 03:05 am
It is premture. At the very least they should kept this very private far away from the media.
If I were Frog coach I would not need any other motivation.
18 Oct 2011, 03:31 am
@Nils(Nils)-8:
They did keep it quiet, but the HZ Herald somehow heard about it and put the story on the front page and will now sit back and snigger at the fallout.
No one is promoting the idea, other than the NZ Herald.
Just happens to be owned by an Australian media organisation, so I am not in the least surprised.
18 Oct 2011, 03:37 am
@Brads(Brads)-9:
Conspiracy? Surely not
18 Oct 2011, 03:50 am
@whatever(whatever)-10:
Nothing so dramatic, but when discretion was what the Council and NZRU were after, the NZ Herald create the story all by themselves.
They had no specifis details to support their story, but what they did have was printed using a 50pt font, which doesn’t take many words to fill up half a page.
18 Oct 2011, 07:18 am
Past experience has taught the Kiwi’s not to count their chickens but seriously I reckon we are in for the first 50 point world cup final. There is simply too much stacked in the kiwi’s favour for this final!
Listening to all the false humility is sickening. If the Kiwi’s lose this it would be akin to walking into a knockshop with a couple of grand and going home with a sore aarse.
18 Oct 2011, 07:46 am
Guys lets be honest imo this is the worst french side to visit NZ shores – they dont deserve to be in the final
18 Oct 2011, 07:52 am
well i’m gonna bet on blue…who knows…
18 Oct 2011, 09:20 am
@stew(stew)-13:
They may well be a particulalry average team, but based on results, they are the best team the NH could produce.
Australia must be kicking themselves for getting shunted to the same side of the draw as SA and NZ.
To be fair, I suppose SA are just as miffed.
18 Oct 2011, 09:51 am
The French have looked decidedly ordinary except a great first half against the English.
Last Sunday NZ were all brutal force.I hope that NZ bring the beautiful game on Sunday. I would love to see wonderful running rugby. Its what the tournament needs and deserves. It has been a fantastic experience for all the visitors. Thats what happens when you hold the tournament in a rugby nation.
I was lucky enough to spend some time during the RWC with some former greats. The foreign players are amazed at despite being largely forgotten(unless a TV regular) in their homeland ; NZers would know who they were, what tour they were on and what position they had played. Only SA(sans the football fans) and Wales can rival the universal love of rugby throughout the whole community.
Any doubts NZ couldn’t host the RWC well have been smashed to the curb. Awesome effort!
18 Oct 2011, 09:57 am
I cant wait for this game . It is the uncertainty that makes this game so wonderful. If the french do pitch up , expect an awesome game , if the dont well then here comes the pain.
We just dont know…. This is where the older wiser players will have to take a stand and settle the younger ones down. Listen to Brad , if you can understand him that is .
Blacks to win , cup to stay in NZ where it belongs .
18 Oct 2011, 10:04 am
ABs will win but only after being outplayed by France… The shock in Eden Park will be palpable… after a first half where the ABs will have being blown off the park like the Rainbow Warrior.
…Until Joubert to the rescue…
The ticker tape parade plans shows that the result is already determined.
Sorry to say but Joubert is right in Paddy’s pocket.
18 Oct 2011, 10:10 am
Go France!!!
18 Oct 2011, 11:41 am
I just feel sorry for Dan Carter, if anyone deserves to lift the cup with Richie, its him. Best flyhalf ever!
18 Oct 2011, 13:05 pm
France are traditionally never more dangerous than when they have been written off … as Francois Pienaar has commented: “they haven’t played their ‘great game’ yet’ …”
We’ll know soon enough which French side turn up …
18 Oct 2011, 16:24 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-18:
Great so now , because the AB’s beat the wallabies , and Joubert had a good game , and he has been given the final , it means that paddy has bought him over ?
Good..! At least now we can all say that SA rugby now has a coorrupt official his name is Craig Joubert and Paddy has paid him off. Well according to you that puts him in the same class as Bryce. Is this why Stuart Dickinson is not at the RWC he could not be bought ?
18 Oct 2011, 23:11 pm
@DocNZ(DocNZ)-22:
hahaha
Yeah, looks like HG just posted that South African officials are corrupt as well.
I think he should watch another game thats not so corrupt, how about cricket or Football?
18 Oct 2011, 23:19 pm
Who wants to bet that after WC2015 HG will moan all the same?
18 Oct 2011, 23:25 pm
@DocNZ(DocNZ)-22: The best SA ref is not at the world cup. Mark Lawrence is not there because he probably is not easily swayed.
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