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, 16:22 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-744:
No problem but I was hoping that you would see the obvious and realise that lying about me was something you should not be doing
I will say this quite clearly … you stop making up **** about me and I will stop making up stuff about you
You will always be a xenophobic Auckland oddity but at least we can stop having these discussions
23 Oct 2011, 16:24 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-747:
Our team got bryced and you support a cheating setup that wants nothing to do with you.
Craig had the opportunity to extend that 24 years to 28 years but had too much integrity.
Must say I would have loved for France to win the Cup today; it would have been a beautiful story. Dusatoir was huge nevertheless.
I would actually encourage refs going forward to cheat the ABs; they’ve set the standard now and must now adapt.
23 Oct 2011, 16:24 pm
Sherrif, I see you are quoting Laurie mains to justify your claims of a conspiracy involving bryce Lawrence.
Presumably then you will now accept Lauries claims that the ab’s were deliberately poisoned in 1995 by south African sports betting interests?
23 Oct 2011, 16:24 pm
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-749:
but the kicking almost lost us the game 20 times over
23 Oct 2011, 16:25 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-739: I think self loathing is a bit strong. I know NZers who support the Bok. I couldn’t care less. Good on them. If thats how they enjoy their footy well good luck to them. Whats the big deal.
Good on ya Mpundulu. Glad you see your fine eye for quality.
23 Oct 2011, 16:29 pm
Chch, are you a kiwi? Are you hating on Graham Henry?
I was at the game and haven’t seen a replay, but I wonder if we kicked because the pressure of the French tackling forced us into it. Certainly the French tactic of keeping the ball in hand cut out a significant part of the aerial advantage we had over Aussie. Clever French.
23 Oct 2011, 16:31 pm
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-753:
There is no need to bring Mains in to justify my ‘claims’ ; I’m saying that even he questioned it, credit must go to him for taking a stand. I feel sorry for him though as he will most probably have to leave the country now.
You cannot honestly say to me that Bryce handled that game fairly.
Dont try to say he missed things for both sides; as it is not true.
I assure you that if it was not for Bryce I would have been the first to congratulate the ABs. However, he did what he did and forever we will know that World Cups going forward will not be the same again.
Host countries will increasingly look to cheat and manipulate etc just as long as they get the result. Then afterwards they plan extensive self-congratulatory parades etc and the rest are sour losers. You’ve set that standard now you will be required to live by it.
23 Oct 2011, 16:32 pm
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-755:
Why do they do that?
(I can think of some reasons but just wondering)
23 Oct 2011, 16:32 pm
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-755: If Piri had kicked his goals NZ would have had a t nine point buffer and things may have been different.
With a one point deficit, field position was crucial. The tactic was sound the execution wasn’t.
23 Oct 2011, 16:33 pm
‘sore losers/ sour grapes’ is what I meant …
23 Oct 2011, 16:35 pm
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-756:
Yes
Because I rate dignity over winning … prefer winning with dignity
We still would have been better not kicking. Our forwards were good, we should have used them more
23 Oct 2011, 16:36 pm
To all SA supporters, give the kiwis a break, their team won fair and square, they deserve the win and to have the trophy for 4 years, Yes we got truly bryced over by bryce but the fact remains the kiwis have consistently been playing better rugby than us for a while now.
23 Oct 2011, 16:38 pm
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-755:
That’s why I said I accept it but question it.
It does not make sense.
I guess what bothers me that one could choose to support a team that wins a RWC every 24 years but only at home. You have to question the logic; it would for instance make more sense to support the Wallabies – who have won 2x RWCs
Perhaps its misguided support for the Maori and non-Pakeha peoples; well then rather support the French who has a black captain – in short it seems the support is race based which is not in line with modern standards
23 Oct 2011, 16:40 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-762:
Thanks Treehugger. I think that the next Tri-Nations is now going to be really important for all sides to win
23 Oct 2011, 16:42 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-762:
Will do but promise me that you will forever going forward never use the word ‘cheat’ again
‘Bryce’ is now an internationally accepted synonym for ‘cheat’
Use it in every day life, make it part of your vocabulary
23 Oct 2011, 16:43 pm
Just started reading the article and why does JON CARDINELLI think that 95% of New Zealanders are over 24?
Is he retarded?
23 Oct 2011, 16:54 pm
I really want to know if Ellis had a brain failure or if he was told to kick up-and-unders over and over again.
In hindsight Jimmy would have gone well today.
I would have thought that playing Cory Jayne at 10 would have been better than dropping a player into a final after missing earlier games and indeed the team in general.
Even when Cruden was injured we could have put on Ellis and moved Weepu to 10. Dagg could kick penalties.
Weepu was a good ‘fat controller’ when Carter was injured and despite being off form today served us well. The public hype must have effected him at least a little.
23 Oct 2011, 16:55 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-762:
That is the spirit
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-765:
I trust you are only taking the piss.
23 Oct 2011, 16:57 pm
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-755: The sherriff is going through the many stages of grief, this is a man who is alleged to have assisted a stalker on keo to locate one of the bloggers in real life, don’t take him earnestly, he’s a strange joke that you keep away from especially the ladies on this site!
23 Oct 2011, 17:07 pm
To all you kiwi bloggers out there congrats on winning the RWC you deserved it as you won it by a point but a point is as good as a hundred and at the end of a game the only thing that matters is the scoreboard.
23 Oct 2011, 17:09 pm
@blueboy(blueboy)-770:
Thanks
I don’t believe the scoreboard is the only thing that matters but thanks
Tri-nations next season will be huge
23 Oct 2011, 17:16 pm
@chch(chch)-771:
Aussies the early favourites perhaps?
23 Oct 2011, 17:16 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-772:
?
23 Oct 2011, 17:24 pm
@chch(chch)-773:
My reasons:
They a young team who are on the up.
Same coaching team.
Most WC winning teams struggle in the year after they won the tourney (check the history).
So, yeah, I reckon they are the early favourites.
23 Oct 2011, 17:28 pm
Dale Steyn is travelling
Where is Gunther for some cricket?
23 Oct 2011, 17:38 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-765: Bryce is used for lots of things now, like stepping in dog bryce, or bryce off or get bryced or what a bryce up go bryce yourself
We were bryced over by bryce, needs the cataracts removed from his eyes or needs a guide dog.
23 Oct 2011, 17:42 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-775: difficult pitch to get 305 especially with Shane Watson injured.
23 Oct 2011, 17:44 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-776: Bryce will not save your guppies from the mailing that’s coming to them … believe it
Oh and to all other guppies out there … Bryce you.
Yes it’s true, I used the B word.
23 Oct 2011, 17:46 pm
Good grief
WW3 has broken out here
23 Oct 2011, 17:47 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-776:
Pocock adjusted better to his rulings than at first the the overrated Brussow and later Flo and Schalk etc.
And we had about 75% of the posession/ territory etc but we could not score
And the Aussies won 6/7 of the last games against the Boks ( with or without Bryce)
So, there is lot more to blame than the poor Bryce for our defeat (s)
IMO we were just not good enough and the sooner we accept it and move on the better.
23 Oct 2011, 17:50 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-780: overrated Brussow. Stopped reading your post after the first sentence.
23 Oct 2011, 17:50 pm
@RL(RL)-778: Your Lions going to be playing on bl**dy stumps remember, you ready for a brycing thumping of note lol oops theres that B word again.
23 Oct 2011, 17:53 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-780: Over rated Brussow
23 Oct 2011, 17:54 pm
In the end it all worked out. We were second best for 60 minutes, SO WHAT! We won, and my cunning plan in the 1/4s worked out 100%. Well done!
23 Oct 2011, 17:55 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-781:
It’s a tough pitch for sure.
Re Brussow, he has done absolutely nothing ( admittedly he was injured for a while) since the Lions tour and since the refs were told to interpretate the tackle rule according to the book.
So, thats why I say he is overrated.
23 Oct 2011, 17:55 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-782:
Grrrrrrrrr, never
23 Oct 2011, 17:57 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-783:
see 785 above and tell me what has he done since the Lions tour to justify his “brilliance”
23 Oct 2011, 17:57 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-780:
**** off! I WON THE 1/4S GAME FOR THE AUSSIES! Without me the boks would have been world champs today.
23 Oct 2011, 18:00 pm
@RL(RL)-786:
Well done to you and your Lions team.
I hope the beat the Sharks next week (if U stop that brokeback mountain nonsense, lol)
23 Oct 2011, 18:03 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-789:
Thanks man … if the Lions win the CC then I promise to remove all of the dirty B words from my vocabulary, that includes Bryce and Brokebacks.
23 Oct 2011, 18:06 pm
Personally i think the french were unlucky in the final but had used up all there luck getting there, the AB’s deserve it, but were fortunate because it is not often in Sport that deserved it is good enough!
23 Oct 2011, 18:06 pm
As a proud Bok supporter I feel their’s a huge weight off my our shoulder’s after the AB win today.
We can start on a clean slate with new coach and captain. Losing can no longer be acceptable.
While we were resting those players in Rustenburg and lost to Aus and NZ away it wasn’t a big deal. We can sacrifice those “TEST” for the bigger picture.
23 Oct 2011, 18:07 pm
788.Bryce ******** Lawrence
OK.
Pity the rand is so weak or Piet Divvy and Jonny Boy would have been national heroes today?
23 Oct 2011, 18:12 pm
@RL(RL)-790:
Lol, good luck anyway- your own cappy Chabal is after all a capey- so if you win we can take some “credit’.
Fark, I am disappointed in Allister- hope he gets the bok job and farks off from WP
23 Oct 2011, 18:15 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-785: As Bok supporters we do tend to idolise our players on the basis of 1 or 2 good performance but I rate Brussow and feels he adds a different dimension to Bok loosy play. He has 3/3 against the AB’s if you include the game against the Crusaders I feel that’s a decent return.
How’s the standard of fielding today. Quite bizzare for two of the best fielding nations.
23 Oct 2011, 18:23 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-795:
Imo the jury is still out on heinrich- i am not at all disputing the claim that he has the potential to become a great-he has been a bit unlucky with injuries-I guess the fetcher flankers will always be a target- Richie took a lot of blows today as well, he was covered in blood at the end- these guys are putting their bodies on the line all the time.
Aussies are in trouble at moment- alarm bells should go soon – Warner is probably the key especially as Watson is doubtful,
23 Oct 2011, 18:33 pm
I feel the next super rugby season is massive for the Cheetahs. Jaun Smith Brussow, Johan Goosen etc are all from that franchise and they are key to our immediate success. If they do well and start competing at the top of the table we as will have a great 4 nations.
23 Oct 2011, 18:36 pm
SA to win, no doubt. 7.3 runs an over from here is not on.
23 Oct 2011, 18:39 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-793:
What are you on about??? WE WON! And I played a big roll! Take your Yarpie sour puss attitude some place else!
23 Oct 2011, 18:39 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-798: aussies have broken my heart to many times in cricket, much more than rugby so I will never write them off.
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