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, 15:16 pm
Thanks Bok folk, we were crappy but you have been good … cheers
23 Oct 2011, 15:17 pm
Where’s that little used up burlap sack Heavens game. I would have the up most pleasure ripping into his ignorance. Perhaps now he may realise how absolutely useless the southern africans are at oval ball. It’s actually quite sad I have to break it to him, but better now than him finding out himself.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 15:19 pm
Give it a rest Tackles. Have one of those “pikelets” your Saffa Ouma never heard of.
23 Oct 2011, 15:24 pm
Who here is tackles?
23 Oct 2011, 15:26 pm
T. Roal
23 Oct 2011, 15:26 pm
Well as sad as it is but the New Zealanders proved their dominance of the world. Who on this forum remembers that joke 2007? No tries in the final. South Africa is ruining the game of rugby. Degrading it to that of that barrel scraper Grid Iron. I curse South Africans. Mongrel, low class scum that I scrape out of my crack each day. Yucky humans.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 15:28 pm
@chch(chch)-695:
You finished 3rd, happy with that?
23 Oct 2011, 15:32 pm
@T.Roal(T.Roal)-706:
So you curse us? You dont even know what a curse is.
The deeper concern I have about the tournament is that countries’ take-away will be that to win this thing you have to host it and cheat.
Rugby nations world wide have to accept the result but there is profound lesson here which I believe is to the detriment of the game, the fair contest.
Coaches, managers, administrators and the like would have seen how NZ went about their business. One can only hope and pray that this way does not become the blueprint going forward.
That’s how it is in life: often the cheaters get away with it… Win or lose we have to demand the fair contest.
23 Oct 2011, 15:32 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-707:
I finish 1st …. Auckland lost you xenophobic fork
Did you watch the game or were you busy with playing with small boys in China
23 Oct 2011, 15:34 pm
NZ won but NZinChina lost and is still a sick fork playing with small boys in China
23 Oct 2011, 15:36 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-708:
Listen you are really too stupid to insult.
You must excuse me though. I ate nachos with the hot chilli beans and i’m experiencing an extreme case of the curry squirts. Please excuse.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 15:38 pm
Congratulations NZ.
And well done to France for making this – in my view – the most memorable RWC final since 1995.
Now, let this NZ win be a hard lesson to SA.
What lesson?
From 1992 when SA re-entered international rugby until today, NZ had inexplicably failed to win the RWC whilst SA had lifted the trophy twice in that period. That record gave SA an artificial sense of their importance and strength in world rugby.
In that same period:
1. SA has seen it’s proud 50/50 record against NZ slide
2. NZ has won 10 3Ns, SA has won a paltry 3
3. NZ achieved an overall 80%+ record against all comers whilst SA underachieved with an overall 65%.
4. SA lost for the first time ever against Wales.
5. SA has seen regular defeats at the hands of Ireland, England, France and Scotland.
6. NZ regularly achieved Grand Slams in the NH whilst SA never did once.
7. There were some unspeakable results against our main rivals – 52-16 v NZ; 49-0 against Aus and 53-3 against Eng. Do you ever see NZ losing that badly?
The plain truth is that SA used its success at RWCs to cover up and hide the obvious failings in its annual results. We heard “judge me at the RWC” from our coaches… we were told losing 3N games was acceptable in “building for the RWC”. And the majority of fans bought it hook, line and sinker.
NZ just proved how wrong this belief is.
SA just lost the single trump card they held over NZ since 1995. And now what do we excuse our regular defeats to NZ and Aus (at home and away) to, and the defeats in the NH? We no longer have the “another 4 years” or “we win when it matters” excuses…
SA needs to rediscover that winning EVERY match matters and that the World Cup, whilst important to win, is not the ONLY thing that matters in rugby. Win consistently – as NZ have done in the last 4 years – and the World Cup will follow.
SA has run out of excuses. From now on, the Boks need to focus on winning every game. That starts with the 4N from next year. A record of 3 triumphs in 16 years is inexcusable. We must win a Grand Slam the next time we have the opportunity – we should beat those NH teams in our sleep (NZ do, why can’t SA?).
The new coach, whoever he is, MUST have performance clauses in his contract. There will be NO free ride to RWC 2015 and the Boks MUST get up to 80% winning level.
There is no excuse anymore.
23 Oct 2011, 15:43 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-712:
if theree is justice in SA Rugby – Meyer will bee coach.
Francee wass better sidee on the fieldd – Abs defencee came thru thoughh.
shadess of Aussie Bokss gamee
23 Oct 2011, 15:44 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-712:
Cheers Wooden Spoon.
GH did throw away a Tri-Nations for this though … cheapens the whole thing
23 Oct 2011, 15:44 pm
@chch(chch)-710:
you seem to mention little boys quite frequently, grow up son don’t show your ignorance
23 Oct 2011, 15:46 pm
World C H A M P I O N S !
23 Oct 2011, 15:47 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-713:
The French were good. Glad the French captain got MoTM.
NZinChina will be thinking this is a French anti-Auckland thing but he is just a twat.
23 Oct 2011, 15:48 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-712:
Happy with those comments; perhaps dont agree with every fact but I agree with your overall summary.
NZ will need to do one more thing though and ensure that they can field the kind of refs that we can take seriously.
It is better for me to lose 50 – 0 but see that the contest was fair.
Our shortcomings in my mind as follows:
* Lack of creative backline play
* Inability to groom/nurture creative 10′s
* Attacking players as oppose to space
* Attacking with forwards which means there is time for defence to regroup
* Supporting the ball carrier and running intelligent lines
If our next coach can address these – I’m afraid to say that I dont know of any SA coach that can address this- then we will make progress.
We have a new world champ and that is how it is; we have to accept it.
There are broader issues at play especially biased reffing which even Laurie Mains (another fantastic kiwi coach) questioned.
Or then we need to agree that going forward ‘cheating’ is the way; in other words, get the result you want no matter what.
23 Oct 2011, 15:48 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-715:
Just a matter of time before the police catch up with you. Bet you can’t come back to NZ you sick forker
23 Oct 2011, 15:49 pm
@chch(chch)-717:
think you have some growing up to do, i’m winding you up about Deans and your excusing me of molesting little boys, you should be careful what you say boy
23 Oct 2011, 15:50 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-718:
You forgot endless kicking to opposition.
This is the game that the ABs won despite GHs tactical decisions
23 Oct 2011, 15:51 pm
@chch(chch)-717:
Yess. Game of Greatt tensionn – you couldd hearr a pin drop when he scoredd thatt try!!
Frenchh aree alwayss their worsee enemiess as well!!
23 Oct 2011, 15:51 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-716:
I’ll get you banned.
You’re stupid
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 15:53 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-720:
If you want to make up stuff then lets make up stuff you kiddy forker
We can stop this any time
I can’t believe I have to take it to this extreme for you to even think that making up crapp about someone is not good
You are such a twatt I have had to go to this extreme. I am really ashamed how forking stupid Kiwis like you are
Stop being so xenophobic and stop telling lies about people
23 Oct 2011, 15:54 pm
Well done NZ, the best team at the tournament.
I would have hoped that McCaw or Henry would at least have acknowleged how well the French played. Perhaps they did and I missed it.
23 Oct 2011, 15:55 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-722:
Uh. tension has one N. No wonder we’re having to give a dollar a day to Southern Africans. School is a outstretch for your people huh.
I wish you all the best.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 15:56 pm
Now New Zealand like the saffers did can completely forget about rugby for four years.
T.Roal
x
23 Oct 2011, 15:58 pm
@bokontario(bokontario)-725:
I could not hear the speeches either
23 Oct 2011, 15:58 pm
@chch(chch)-724:
you should be ashamed of yourself nancy boy go have a cry it’ll make you feel better, does mummy know your online?
23 Oct 2011, 15:59 pm
@chch(chch)-721:
Mate, the result is there. It’s official so I guess we have to accept it but ABs must be prepared to get your own medicine going forward.
That’s what you wanted and there it is.
I have highlighted your positives and stated the negatives; a very dangerous trend may have been started in the pursuit of self interests.
23 Oct 2011, 16:00 pm
@T.Roal(T.Roal)-727:
Um what?
23 Oct 2011, 16:01 pm
@T.Roal(T.Roal)-727: scram, get out of here, shoo shoo
23 Oct 2011, 16:02 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-729:
you off to play with another little boy
fork off, we don’t need paedophiles here
23 Oct 2011, 16:05 pm
The AB’s won, if any other team wanted the Bill, they had the opportunity of winning their games and joining us in the final, if you could not win the quarter final then unfortunately, you could not be entertained by the AB’s. Losers suck it up, chew on it, it sucks, four more years my little ones!!!!!!!!
23 Oct 2011, 16:05 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-730:
What?
“but ABs must be prepared to get your own medicine going forward” .. .what?
“That’s what you wanted and there it is.” .. what? what did I want?
“a very dangerous trend may have been started in the pursuit of self interests.” .. what?
What are you on about?
You better not be parked outside
23 Oct 2011, 16:07 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-732:
Clean my bedpan, there’s an awful mess coming out of my mouth. Can’t.. stop.. it…
23 Oct 2011, 16:08 pm
The RWC is a strange affair.Throughout the tournament the French play poorly and win . On the big night they play outstandingly well and lose. Sacre Bleu!
Its taken NZ 24 years to learn how to win ugly. They have been for too long the most attractive almost team at the RWC. The only team to have never lost a pool match since its inception. finally the bounce of the ball goes their way.
Its reward for the last two years and the consistency achieved . Cheers to all the true rugby fans who acknowledge that.
SA will be back. Both teams will lose the old brigade and next year will be a fresh start for both. Australia may be the team to beat next year in the 3N and I hope Wales capitalize on their success moving forward.
For now its sweet for the NZ fans. Its been a long time coming for a nation used to their team winning everything but the ultimate prize.
There are very few countries in the world that Union is the number one unifying passion across all walks of life.
We do take it too seriously, we do get arrogant about the ABs and are terrible losers when they fail.
But when you are or have been a great union player regardless of where you are from (and I witnessed this a number of times during the RWC) and you walk the streets in New Zealand you will be recognized and acknowledged. You may even be a distant memory in your own country but in Aotearoa people will still want to seek you out and shake your hand.
That makes me prouder about NZ rugby than any AB victory.
23 Oct 2011, 16:08 pm
I don’t like this 4 more years stuff. Very childish. Only one winner so pretty **** to say that to all other sides. The WC is a bit of a lottery but we came out on top this time. 4 more years is a pretty **** thing to go on about (and yes I know that about 100 South African bloggers have gone on about it on here but lets face it those 100 were complete *****)
23 Oct 2011, 16:10 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-734:
Mate, I respect the fact that you support the ABs. Its your choice.
To me it seems like a form of self-loathing to be supporting another country above your own.
My choice again is to question South Africans who support the ABs.
ABs were outplayed today and extremely lucky to come away with the win.
By the way: Kiwis feel nothing for you, embrace your South Africanness
23 Oct 2011, 16:11 pm
#wooden spoon I agree totally I also think the world cup needs a format change. I am glad the stigma is gone now us ABS supporters can get over ourselves. World cup should be every team playing each other a true reflection of the best in the world.
23 Oct 2011, 16:12 pm
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-737:
“Its taken NZ 24 years to learn how to win ugly.” .. but we didn’t … we won despite our tactics
23 Oct 2011, 16:12 pm
@chch(chch)-735:
So you’re doing the questions thing again, you think it is effective
I think it’s pathetic for you to fight with another kiwi here on a SA blog; it’s embarrassing actually
23 Oct 2011, 16:13 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-739:
Outplayed? I though *** was even , a lottery
23 Oct 2011, 16:13 pm
@chch(chch)-733:
I’ll be back in NZ shortly, how about we meet up and you excuse me of that in person?
23 Oct 2011, 16:13 pm
@chch(chch)-743:
though = thought
23 Oct 2011, 16:15 pm
@chch(chch)-738:
What would you have preferred?
24 more years?
23 Oct 2011, 16:17 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-739: You left in the quarters, that was it, accept it and know, know very well, you’ve four more years!!!! Chew on that.
23 Oct 2011, 16:18 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-744:
Guys – you’re supposed to celebrate tonight
You have supposedly won and now dont know what to do
Do a haka, I’d say as a start and take it from there; again it’s pathetic.
Go and jump on a bonnet
23 Oct 2011, 16:18 pm
@chch(chch)-741: 20 minutes to go NZ shut down and played defensively. It wasn’t pretty but they won. The tactic worked. It might have been lucky to succeed but the second half tactics form the coach was very clear.
23 Oct 2011, 16:19 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-742:
hehe, you have no credibility here, you supported a stalker who tracked down someone off this blog in real life. You want to discuss morality or even reality. You must be having a laugh
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