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
Pages: « 1 … 7 8 9 10 11 [12] 13 14 15 16 17 … 24 » Show All
23 Oct 2011, 13:26 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-514:
I would agree with you concerning Dusautoir .
Until the 76 minute……………………………. when he put the boot into Sir Ritchie.
And just to show it was not an accident……………………………he then lifted all his weight onto his right side to compress the stomp.
23 Oct 2011, 13:26 pm
@The Bill(The Bill)-547:
Yep get your point Bill.
23 Oct 2011, 13:26 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-541:
exactly what Grant Fox was sayingg – pointlesss kicking by Weepu, Ellis
I couldd feel the nerves of a countryy whenn france scoredd!!!
23 Oct 2011, 13:27 pm
@The Bill(The Bill)-547:
I reckon the ABs worked just as hard for theirs. The difference is that it was done on the training ground.
23 Oct 2011, 13:28 pm
@Thucydides(Thucydides)-545:
Excellent, a true rugby supporter. Thanks mate.
23 Oct 2011, 13:28 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-530:
A brilliant final played by two teams that play innovative exciting rugby….well done.
23 Oct 2011, 13:29 pm
@cane(cane)-551:
publicc enemyy numberr 2??
Man of the Matchh still and deserveddd it.
23 Oct 2011, 13:29 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-553: where was cowan?idiots.
23 Oct 2011, 13:29 pm
To France and Le Fans of Len Tricolors.
You were magnificent.
From the wedge to the final whistle.
23 Oct 2011, 13:30 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-546: He awarded a penalty for NZ to win it though, a fairly dismal call. He missed a lot. He did let Ritchie and Thorn lie all over the ball again today.
Big game, big pressure, he missed a few things. That said, the balls bounces one way or the other and it just didn’t bounce exactly right. French made some silly errors too. Thought for a moment NZ was going to lose, but they hung in there.
Not the greatest win but if that were SA we would all take it.
23 Oct 2011, 13:30 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-553:
oh yeah, when France scored, the heart just sank.
What actually made them to kick all the time when all could see it was not working.
23 Oct 2011, 13:30 pm
Well done AB’s, you deserve it. As for the Kiwi fans that made Coopers life he’ll you don’t deserve s h i t. Now all we need is get with our Kiwi d i c k head coach and we might do a bit better
23 Oct 2011, 13:30 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-549:
” A strange feeling i must say ”
Get used to the heavy load off your back and enjoy your celebrations.
You are too far from the ticker tape parade, I think, to be part of it.
23 Oct 2011, 13:30 pm
@dermie(dermie)-550:
That’s why the ABs are the World number one in the rankings. The RWC is a seperate competition with one goal.
23 Oct 2011, 13:31 pm
Len Tricolors. = Le Tricolors.
Sorry Froggies.
8)
23 Oct 2011, 13:32 pm
at least if Craig Joubert emigrates to NZ he should get favourable status after his performance today.
23 Oct 2011, 13:32 pm
@cane(cane)-559: they lost to Tonga,travisty if they won the WC.ABs 3-2,france 3-0 who’s the chokers now?
23 Oct 2011, 13:32 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-561:
I reckon there must be a lot of soiled Kiwi pants at the end of that match.
23 Oct 2011, 13:33 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-535:
Mate, I watched a game today handled by a superb ref where the French dominated your team for most of the game.
They looked more composed and no doubt the better team on the night.
But I’m a lot bigger than that. The result stands because Craig Joubert ensured a fair contest.
In the end I was happy for Ted and even Wayne Smith – note the omissions.
Ted is the leading coach in world rugby, a simple man but very astute.
I would actually love for Wayne Smith to come and coach in South Africa. He has achieved his life goal now – I know he will however be involved with a kiwi team.
My scorecard for NZ:
a. Hosting : 9 out 10
b. Commentary: 6 out of 10
c. Refereeing: 1 out of 10
d. ABs play: 7 out of 10
Point c above refers mainly to the efforts of Paddy O’Brien and Bryce Lawrence
23 Oct 2011, 13:33 pm
South Africa are so good. Should have won the world cup. Such great attack. Smit is the best player & captain that ever lived. Smit to captain boks to RWC 2015! Bismark to be dropped, kak.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 13:33 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-561:
spot onn – Frogss shouldd have keptt ball in handd. All Blackss shouldd have donee samee. Nonuu and Dagg weree invisible tonitee
23 Oct 2011, 13:35 pm
@ 560 goodthing – exactly, saffas would take a win like that all day long!
We entered the tournament as the no1 team in the world. We beat every team in front of us. We won the final. We finished no1 team in the world, and world champions. What more is there to day?
The world champion all blacks.
23 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-571:
Nonu invisible? Did you actually watch the game? He played his heart out.
23 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
Imanol Harinordoquy
betterr then Matfieldd at stealingg lineout ball!!!
23 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
@T.Roal(T.Roal)-570: moron.
23 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
@David(David)-573:
standd correctedd – Nonuu impactt was minimall!
23 Oct 2011, 13:37 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-560:
Remember my criticism is not aimed at the players.
I was happy for the ABs to be in the last 4 or even 2 teams. I think they deserve that.
My comments refer to the behind-the scenes scheming that made a mockery of the competition resulting in Bok fans forever wondering ” What could have been if Bryce was not there ?”
We cannot forget about as it is the principle of fairness that is at stake.
You won it in the end, but did not do it in a fair manner.
23 Oct 2011, 13:37 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-571: france new chokers of WC rugby!
23 Oct 2011, 13:38 pm
@cane(cane)-565:
Now you can face the ‘yobs’ on here with a boldness unforeseen before today.
Give them he l l and shut them up.
23 Oct 2011, 13:38 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-569:
you have been bagging NZ and its people constantly so your belated congratulations means **** all to me reflect on the tripe you have written here recently
23 Oct 2011, 13:39 pm
@SAussie/QldRed(SAussie)-562:
Thank you SAussie.
It was not poetry,
but is was hellishly tense.
23 Oct 2011, 13:39 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-576:
Have to agree; Nonu was one dimensional – even kicked a rugby ball for the first time in his life
Rougerie was all of him/them
23 Oct 2011, 13:39 pm
@cane(cane)-551:
Come on Cane – and Richie’s knee into Parra’s head? What about that – it’s called test rugby (actually lucky for les Bleus because replacement fly-half was outstanding)
23 Oct 2011, 13:40 pm
@ET.(ET.)-563:
Sure am to far away.
I am in the city of earthquakes, we didnt see much of anything. Lucky for television.
23 Oct 2011, 13:40 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-577: the ABs would have smashed you.wondering over.
23 Oct 2011, 13:40 pm
@T.Roal(T.Roal)-548:
i know this is in fact what you really want so i’ll just go ahead and give it to you, as well as throw in tackle’s for no extra effort.
go ffuck courself yunt!
23 Oct 2011, 13:41 pm
Viva La France.
Viva Tricolores.
Viva Les Bleus…
Heroes.
Thats all…
23 Oct 2011, 13:41 pm
France were outstanding tonight.
Why the hell can’t they play like that all the time?
23 Oct 2011, 13:41 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-584:
Why aren’t you out on the sauce?
23 Oct 2011, 13:41 pm
@ET.(ET.)-579:
Only some of them are yobs ET.
Only some.
Some, like us, can see the beauty in a single flake of snow.
8)
23 Oct 2011, 13:42 pm
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-572: Don’t get me wrong, half my family won’t sleep tonight, when I spoke to them before the game the were already putting back too many Steinlagers for a Sunday night, but that wasn’t a great performance, but on the scoreboard it was one point better than the other guys, that’s all that is needed.
Congratulations to the ABs, the pressure must have been massive, no one could know how much.
When we look back the ABS will be champs, the refereeing of the tournament will be a major point of interest, just for the sake of the game.
Scrums have become such a sideshow what function to they perform? They are supposed to give the ascending team a platform to go forward but the way it is refereed it’s a lottery so why not uncontested restarts.
Why not allow rucking, hands in will be over, a few scrapes never hurt anyone.
The laws are a dogshow, change them.
23 Oct 2011, 13:43 pm
@Brads(Brads)-588:
Well said Sir Bradley.
They were magnifique.
23 Oct 2011, 13:43 pm
@Brads(Brads)-588: because they’re not the ABs!
23 Oct 2011, 13:43 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-577: I am a SAFFA Sherriff, not a kiwi.
Bryce is a disgrace to rugby, but then so is the IRB and Paddy O. The laws are a sham. Simple.
23 Oct 2011, 13:45 pm
@dermie(dermie)-575:
Even though i have no support for New Zeeland i think they deserved to win tonight. South Africa is a pretender for rugby, they fluke any win they get. It’s unfortunate for todays rugby, Bryce Lawrence gave them a fair game and they scream ‘cheaters’. South Africa aka. “Sprengboks” are a disgrace and should be boycotted from international games from here on. It’s no good for the expansion of rugby if these afrikaaner clowns continue. Their style of rugby is killing the game and putting everyone off. They deserve to lose. Their participation in the 3 nations is an absolute joke and should be replaced by the Pumas. Imagine the expansive play rather than breakdown cheating and overall misconduct.
Would be magnificent!
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 13:45 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-591: it’s a common point already mentioned,BRING BACK RUCKING.
23 Oct 2011, 13:45 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-587:
Dead in the water duck!
No one remembers who the loser ever is. But the winners name is forever on the GOLD.
23 Oct 2011, 13:46 pm
@Brads(Brads)-588
they areee france
theyy couldd play Japann next and lose!!!
23 Oct 2011, 13:46 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-580:
New Zealand has shown an inability to win the RWC away from home; they need to play at Eden Park and need 60,000 fans to shout ‘All Blacks’ for most of the game.
They also need to manipulate the referee allocations and ensure that they follow a path where there is little or no resistance.
France confirmed my suspicion today that there was an irrevocable belief in the AB camp that the Boks are physically superior to them. France made them look decidedly ordinary.
Happy that the awkward Stephen Donald could land that penalty or did he? It looked for all money that he missed, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
23 Oct 2011, 13:46 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-577:
We didnt win in a fair manner??
You didnt say much when in 2007 NZ was knocked out by a forward pass.
But better late than never to complain about refs i suppose
Pages: « 1 … 7 8 9 10 11 [12] 13 14 15 16 17 … 24 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.