All Blacks crowned kings of the world
23 Oct 2011
JON CARDINELLI, reporting from Eden Park, watched the All Blacks beat France 8-7 to secure their second World Cup title.
Four million New Zealanders have had to endure 24 long years in between World Cup titles. On Sunday 23 October, they had to endure a further 80 agonising minutes as their beloved All Blacks edged slowly and, at times tentatively, towards the elusive gold.
The energy of a nation was channeled in the New Zealand national anthem, and the All Blacks played their part with a spirited rendition of Kapa o Pango. France responded through Thierry Dusautoir’s passionate gesture during the Tricolores’ call-to-arms, and through the team’s decision to advance towards the hosts while they laid down the traditional challenge.
The message was clear: France would not be intimidated by the All Blacks, their media or the New Zealand people’s pre-match assertion that they had no place in this final. Their march on the All Blacks would signify a collective up-yours to all the non-believers, and their efforts in this match would underscore their passion and belief that they could indeed upset the world’s top-ranked team.
It was this fiery attitude and physicality that had the All Blacks rattled at stages. Tony Woodcock scored a simple try for the hosts when a smart lineout move opened up the French defence, but Piri Weepu failed to make the conversion. In fact, Weepu would miss all three of his attempts at goal and the All Blacks would miss out on eight points as a result. It was this lack of composure that so nearly cost the hosts the game.
The All Blacks were resolute on defence, but then so were the French. They matched the hosts at the collisions which limited the All Blacks’ attacking platform. Morgan Parra stopped Ma’a Nonu from breaching the gain line early in the first half, and paid the price for his bravery. He was able to return to the field for a brief spell but was later pulled when he failed to recover from what was a big knock.
The All Blacks would lose their own flyhalf before the first period was through. Aaron Cruden was caught between two French defenders in the 34th minute, and proceeded to hyper-extend his knee. Suddenly the All Blacks were without Cruden, their third-choice pivot, and looking to Stephen Donald, a player who wasn’t even in the country until a couple of weeks previously. If the All Blacks were going to pull this one off, the forgotten man of New Zealand rugby would have to steer them home.
Donald relieved Weepu of the goal-kicking duties and took his first opportunity early in the second half. But the 8-0 deficit did little to dampen the spirits of the French, who continued to clatter into the collisions and breakdowns with masochistic intensity.
They also persisted with their ball-in-hand tactics, and their searing counter-attacks stretched the All Blacks on numerous occasions. It was one such counter-punch that would provide the spark for a massive moment, which Dusautoir took expertly to help close the gap to 8-7.
It was during this time that the All Blacks must have been thinking about the failures of the World Cup teams of yesteryear. Weepu had shown a lack of composure in the first half through his inability to convert three very kickable opportunities, and as the French swelled with confidence, the All Blacks grew frantic.
It was a situation tailor-made for the French, and undoubtedly a worse-case scenario for the hosts.
But as plucky as the French were, they were just as erratic as in previous matches at this tournament. Credit should go to the All Blacks defence, but had France shown more composure and patience with ball-in-hand, they may have taken the lead and inspired some real panic in the New Zealand ranks. Had they converted their own goal-kicking chances, they would have assumed control as the clock wound down.
Dimitri Yachvili missed a penalty attempt early in the second stanza, and Trinh-Duc pushed a long attempt wide in the 65th minute. The replacement flyhalf also made a telling mistake when he overcooked a garryowen late in the game. It marked the end of long spell where France had pinned the hosts deep in their own territory.
It was during the remaining minutes that the All Blacks, spurred on by the thousands of desperate but patriotic Kiwis in the crowd, showed their composure. Through the determined efforts of their forwards and the collective discipline on defence, they were able to douse the French flame.
France swept from side to side for several minutes in hope of milking the penalty that would win them the game, but the All Blacks stood firm. They won the turnover, and attempted to play for time, and when referee Craig Joubert handed them a penalty, it signified the beginning of the end.
The All Blacks won the ensuing lineout and another penalty after mauling the French back, and at this point, Eden Park erupted in celebration. It will not be remembered as the most convincing performance, but it will be remembered as the day the All Blacks ended a 24-year drought and assumed the mantle of undisputed champions of the world.
1,158 Comments
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23 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-500: In 2007 they got “Wayne Barnes”ed so fair is fair in the end.
23 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm
A hearty congratulations to France for playing a really good game sadly the calls that counted went against you the penalty that Donald scored should have been awarded to you.
Well done NZ enjoy it but sadly you must realise that this world cup is going to be remembered for Englands off the field antics, and diabolical refereeing and blatant refereeing bias and not for the rugby or who won it.
NZ may have won two world cups just like the Aussies and South Africa but they have never won a wc away from home and that is the real mark of a great team winning it without home ground and refereeing advantages and favouritism.
But none the less wifebeaters enjoy it
23 Oct 2011, 12:54 pm
@Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-491:
Agree. This was a real tough, tense final of a great RWC. Unlike the c rap of 2007.
Balance in the union game is back where it belongs, away from the spoilt brats.
23 Oct 2011, 12:56 pm
well done all blacks.
it was gritty towards the end and the french really brought it you, but you kept it together just enough.
enjoy the next four years.
23 Oct 2011, 12:57 pm
According to Tim Horan this was the best RWC ever and surely he should know a thing or two as he has two medals.
23 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm
@NagouGrote(NagouGrote)-451:
How can you say Boks and Aus are only team to compete – when Aus got pumped and All Blacks just got home by one point against France – did you even watch the game – the written-off les Bleus, which you are still doing, came to play and totally shut down the vaunted AB side in every phase while scoring the try of the match?
The French were heroic today and threw acid in the face of all their dumbed down critics; it’s a game that could have gone either way and Dusatoir was by far and away Man of the Match; just magnificent.
I’ve got no gripe with this result but give France their due and respect – 8-7 at Eden Park is something I personally take my hat off to and the bloggers on this site who knew that France would come to play are the ones that know their rugby.
23 Oct 2011, 13:01 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-500: pinhead gave the opposition no credit in 95,even though they beat a crocked side.
23 Oct 2011, 13:03 pm
@Petri(Petri)-501:
If they did it was not at the ultimate winners South Africa’s initiative.
This was more deliberate and planned.
Bryce was sent in with specific instructions which he executed.
As a South African one can only hope that the standard of refereeing improves as South Africa right now has a limited chance to get refs that can handle a game of this magintude.
It will always be remembered that New Zealand eliminated one of their toughest rivals in world cup rugby in that way. This is the hour where they should be congratulated but there is a decidedly bad taste in the mouth of many today.
Fair contest.
Craig gave them that, but Bryce did not. I will remind this forum of this for another 4 years.
As high as the skills levels of coaches and players of NZ, so pathetic is their refs. Lets see if they can win this thing away from Auckland, I doubt it….
23 Oct 2011, 13:03 pm
@bluealligator(bluealligator)-502:
agree.
Francee were the better sidee – alkl the statss favored them at endd.
won the scrumm battlee, best lineout in worldd, backlinee fired better then the ABs.
the subsitutionn of frenchh 9 for a newbiee (on debut) was nuts!!!
as was the replacementt of front roww. Only the frogss be stupidd!!!
Greatt gamee FRance – You shouldd hold your headss high. Congratss to theirr captainn for winning Man of the Matchh
23 Oct 2011, 13:04 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-506: lost to tonga, scored a try of an AB mistake,what do you want?they lost and justice prevails.
23 Oct 2011, 13:04 pm
@ blue alligator: loser loser loser, we are the world champions. Bend your knee, chump.
23 Oct 2011, 13:06 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-508: didn’t loose a game,ABs deserved to win.
23 Oct 2011, 13:06 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-509:
You agree with that post???
FFs that post is smacked with sour remarks, put downs etc, then he tried to cover it with a congrats but makes a joke of wife bashing.
You really need to read exactly what he has said here
23 Oct 2011, 13:07 pm
frenchh captain deserves to be playerr of tournament!!
frenchh 8 was a colossus at lineoutt. Nicholass Mas and Servantt did the businesss up front.
France Lost the Cup.
23 Oct 2011, 13:07 pm
On French TV you can actually see a kiwi supporter saying the French should have won the game : looks like the kiwi crowd is better quality than the kiwi trolls hanging around this blog
23 Oct 2011, 13:08 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-506: Not only 8-7, but they were by far the better side today.
In fact this WC will for me be known as the competition where the better sides ended up losing (Wales v France, SA v Australia, France v New Zealand).
Unfortunately this is down to the ref a lot & I think Craig Joubert missed too much in this game.
23 Oct 2011, 13:09 pm
@frenchiebokfan(frenchiebokfan)-515: you lost to tonga you deserve nothing but ridicule,p*ss off.
23 Oct 2011, 13:10 pm
@The Bill(The Bill)-516: your a wind up merchant,surely
23 Oct 2011, 13:10 pm
The French have really stepped up in terms of their willingness to keep the ball in hand. No kick and chase rubbish….it was a real pleasure to watch them commit themselves to this game.
Worthy opponents of note. Boks beware. If the French coach stays on he will have himself a certain championship team…these boys are suddenly getting in to their stride.
23 Oct 2011, 13:10 pm
it will be interestingg to see if NZ mediaa gives credit to Francee???
especiallyy when the man of match was fromm losing sidee!!!
France wonn everythingg but the scoreboardd!!
23 Oct 2011, 13:10 pm
woohoo
23 Oct 2011, 13:11 pm
@frenchiebokfan(frenchiebokfan)-515:
NZ missed 8 points worth of kicks at goal.
We gifted the French a try.
NZ won the game.
I would never say the French should have won.
They could of, but they didnt.
23 Oct 2011, 13:11 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-519:
rememberr, francee could playy Fiji nextt and lose!! lol
23 Oct 2011, 13:12 pm
@dermie(dermie)-518: Not at all why? Craig Joubert missed at least 3 high tackles which had even the English commentators questioning him. No love loss between English & French after all.
23 Oct 2011, 13:12 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-520: wanker.
23 Oct 2011, 13:13 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-522: Well the favour was returned. Your try was 100 times softer than the Frenchies.
23 Oct 2011, 13:13 pm
Congratulations! South Africa! For being perhaps the most consistently piss poor rugby side in International terms. You lose, I’m sorry to say this but; to Australia. Shame that. You have been a joke to international rugby since its introduction. The same rumble fumble i’ve been watching since the game aired on television. I’m sorry South Africa, you really try hard but when can you lose so much, be horribly inconsistent and expect to win.
Joke.
T.Roal.
x
23 Oct 2011, 13:14 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-522:
but be hardd for NZ mediaa to get anythingg positivee from the statss from this game.
butt they are worldd championns onetheless!!
23 Oct 2011, 13:14 pm
@The Bill(The Bill)-524: you lost to tonga,your only try was off an ABs mistake and no barnes to save you.JUSTICE.
23 Oct 2011, 13:15 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-519:
Spot on Shark
In fact the French played the ABs game more than the ABs did.
ABS kicked away so much ball and kicked badly.
It was close and if NZ lost, that was the reason why.
French gave it there all. Written of by most.
23 Oct 2011, 13:17 pm
Imanol Harinordoquy 10/10
23 Oct 2011, 13:18 pm
@dermie(dermie)-529: Didn’t know justice was a criteria in sport. If it was, France would have won this game as they were by far the better side in this game.
As I said to Hurricane, the NZ try was far softer & I think the French try was well earned after all the pressure.
23 Oct 2011, 13:18 pm
@The Bill(The Bill)-526:
Was it??
They practice along time to get those moves to work.
Takes weeks to master. But if you think it was soft then so be it.
23 Oct 2011, 13:18 pm
It doesn’t matter who the French lost to in the pool. The RWC has only one goal; to reach and win the final. It’s not bloody gymnastics.
23 Oct 2011, 13:19 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-508:
Take some time to reflect on this deputy New Zealand are the world champions and you aren’t.
23 Oct 2011, 13:19 pm
frenchh bakclinee showed more flair
23 Oct 2011, 13:19 pm
what other WC champion has won playing their 4th choice 1st five?
the duck makes history. the irony right there is wonderful
Kia kaha world champions!!
23 Oct 2011, 13:20 pm
JC,
A great read,
And I hope, with all my heart,
that you enjoyed (as much as possible) your stay in NZ.
Thanks’ for your input, and thank’s also to Keo.co. for sending you here………………………along with Ryan.
Sincerely Yours,
cane.
23 Oct 2011, 13:20 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-528:
G13
You of all people know what NZ media is like, i dont even like them.
Dont judge NZ people from what those clowns say.
23 Oct 2011, 13:21 pm
What a release of emotion!
The best team on the day and the tournament managed to scrape through a pulsating final.
France were outstanding.
Where the hell did game come from. We all know they are good for one weird game each tourney, but why the hell do they insist on picking the AB’s?
23 Oct 2011, 13:21 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-536:
Sure did.
NZ just kicked and kicked and kicked. Not only that aimless kicking as well.
Was not impressed.
23 Oct 2011, 13:21 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-539:
I left a congratulatory reply for you at 478. Hope you saw it amid all your obvious excitement.
23 Oct 2011, 13:22 pm
@dermie(dermie)-529:
Brilliant Dermie thinks Tonga are on a par with the All Blacks – 8-7 at Eden Park was gigantic – if you can’t see that nobody can explain it to you
23 Oct 2011, 13:22 pm
@All Blacks – World Champions for A4Ys(poppa69)-537: That is incredibly scary. The 4th choice & he is cool as a cucumber. In fact only Slade didn’t look comfortable.
The kiwis produce rugby players that love & play rugby irrespective of the occasion.
23 Oct 2011, 13:23 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-530:
Congratulations. Two excellent teams playing a great final. I enjoyed watching it as much as I would have, had South Africa reached the final.
23 Oct 2011, 13:23 pm
Congratulations also to Alain Rolland for staying out of the game.
When he spoke to Craig about the 2 No 4′s I thought he will reduce the final to yet another scandal.
Of course Rolland has consistently in the 2010-2011 season cheated the Boks.
Anyone reflecting on today’s game will almost forget that Craig was the ref. What a ref! Congratulations to a bright smart bloke!!
For the romantics among us: it would have been beautful if Craig could award a decisive penalty to France to win it. That would have been special!
But he has too much integrity! It’s as simple as that.
23 Oct 2011, 13:24 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-533: Agreed, but the Kiwis were under pressure for ages, then just one quick turn around & a try.
Not grumbling, just think the french worked harder for the try, hence less soft.
23 Oct 2011, 13:25 pm
South African style rugby could never win a modern World Cup. It’s sad though. For all the hardship and hope they’ve had to endure. South Africans must be hurting. They’ve lost, and they lost with ease. It is unfortunate.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 13:25 pm
@ET.(ET.)-542:
ET i saw that. I apologise for not commenting and thank you mate.
It feels really good and lets say relief at the same time. A strange feeling i must say.
Again thanks mate, i am overjoyed. Rugby means alot to me as you can tell.
23 Oct 2011, 13:26 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-543: ABs have never lost to Tonga,how could you be WC champs if you had.
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