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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24 Oct 2011, 08:26 am
I have heard a lot of complaints about Craig Joubert , some have siad he gifted the trophy to the AB’s …. Seriuosly ? I doubt it was any worse than Barnes in the 3rd/4th place game.
24 Oct 2011, 08:27 am
Congrats to New Zealand for staging and winning a great World Cup. Enjoy it.
24 Oct 2011, 08:27 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-1047: great coach and a hardegat who will not be dictated to by sentimentality and fat boys prima donna clubs……
24 Oct 2011, 08:28 am
@DocNZ(DocNZ)-1051: I didnt think it was that bad. He was quite fair. There were a few instances were he could of blown Richie up for not rolling away and slowing down the ball.
24 Oct 2011, 08:29 am
heyneke meyer
ewen mckenzie
clive woodward
nick mallet
john mitchell
rassie erasmus
brendan venter
eddie jones
in that order…
no ac, no chester and no to a few other guys too.
24 Oct 2011, 08:31 am
no rassie and no Woodward please!
24 Oct 2011, 08:31 am
@charo(charo)-1049: FFS are they carrying on about the haka again?
Look the ABs got retribution for 2007, so lets play nice here again….trade off Ali Williams advancing over the mark to France stepping over too. I know they are different matched but it seems fair to me.
24 Oct 2011, 08:33 am
@grant10(grant10)-1053: I dont think SARU will employ a foreigner as head coach….maybe as assistant coach. It will AC or Rassie imo.
24 Oct 2011, 08:33 am
anyway…
we all know it is 90% certain it will be ACif rumours are to believed.
we will stagnate and suffer agaon.
My 5 th choice would be Eddie Jones by the way…..he has said he would be keen.
but we will fark it up and make life difficult for ourselves…..as we always do…..just like this WC…
We tend to be bloody foolish more often than not….
outta here
24 Oct 2011, 08:34 am
@grant10(grant10)-1059:
Japan will get Eddie Jones, he is half Japanese too.
24 Oct 2011, 08:34 am
@grant10(grant10)-1048: Jantjies is improving all the time and that’s what you want to see in players and it’s also the result of great coaching. Nothing more sad that seeing a player go backwards like Habana. No offense Province is your team but Brian is not playing the rugby like he did when he was in blue (HM).
Cheers guys I’m out some Province co workers to fry.
24 Oct 2011, 08:35 am
@DocNZ(DocNZ)-1051:
well how bout kaino’s killing the ball in about the 73rd min?
or the forward passes not spotted?
or the 3 or 4 outrageously skew lineouts not blown in favour of france?
or reechie’s age old ruck shenanigans? (where do i begin?)
thorn’s punching?
weepu’s punching?
sealing the ruck off about a meter ahead of where it actually starts?
the defensive blocking?
driving through the rucks and impeding players?
i can go on…
actually i will…
24 Oct 2011, 08:35 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-1058: why the fark not?
Why we so farken insular?
Makes me sick man!
24 Oct 2011, 08:36 am
First things first…
Today it is time to congrats the Ab’s team on winning the Bill.
Well done guys – you definitely are now the best team in the world and the World champs.
You deserve it. I saw most of the final and to be honest if Carter was there it would have been a big points difference.. imo.
You’ve confirmed my respect as our toughest opponents (again) and we will have to change a gear in trying to keep up cause you are leaving us behind. It won’t be easy for us cause you have been and are the current leaders of the game.
Your home and away record is stunning and with the style of rugby you play you also got my admiration.
To the AB supporters – enjoy the bragging rights of not only the best team in the world but also the World Champs. I will visit you guy’s again in the S15 next year. Looking forward to see the smiles on your faces.
All the best.
From a admiring bok supporter.
24 Oct 2011, 08:37 am
Congrats Morne Steyn on being the top point scorer in the World Cup.
Congrats to Vincent Clerc on being the top try scorer in the World Cup. (Tied with Chris Ashton)
Atleast we finished top somewhere.
24 Oct 2011, 08:39 am
@grant10(grant10)-1059: Dude first wait and see what happens with the new coach before going off on a tangent.
@grant10(grant10)-1063: Politics.
24 Oct 2011, 08:40 am
Lets put our ‘Player of the Tournament’ out there
Thierry Dusautoir
24 Oct 2011, 08:41 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-939: what can i say about mac spill chucker, or should that read spell checker,
24 Oct 2011, 08:43 am
@Staal(Staal)-1064: Well done.
24 Oct 2011, 08:44 am
I thought that Craig was afraid to penalise AB’s at breakdowns , but I do not respect the French in the way they approached the whole WC, so good that AB’s won it , although theyu were not best team on the day.
Hopefully the cries for Burger as next Bok captain with allister as coach can now be laid to rest. Burger is all heart but no skill , WP /Strompies can not make it to the next level. He does not have the skill.
Listened to HM analyses of WC final- Mitchell, Stranskey, Gary Gold were all amazed with HM’s knowledge.
24 Oct 2011, 08:47 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-1067: Agreed….although he had one bad game….cant remember against who though….could of been vs NZ in the pool or Tonga maybe. Jerome Kaino was also huge in the tournament.
24 Oct 2011, 08:49 am
@Staal(Staal)-1064: Well said Staal, as upset as i was after the Aussies knocked us out, at times we need to remember that it is only a game, and the ying and yang of it! It hurts as much as it brings joy, you would not feel the pain of defeat if you did not care about the victory, the sit hand in hand, and the Kiwis have endured enough PAIN to be allowed to enjoy this VICTORY, 4 more years means something completely different to New Zealand today, 4 MORE YEARS WAS A CHANT OF HUMILIATION TO THE ALL BLACKS AND KIWIS. Now it means 4 more years until we get to try and win back to back, to Saffas it means 4 more years until we try and win for a third time, 4 more years to the Aussies ditto. Let the countdown begin, i am already looking forward to it.
24 Oct 2011, 08:52 am
@capebull(capebull)-1070: Ja Burger disappointed me on Saturday night. Who then for captain if not Burger?
24 Oct 2011, 08:54 am
@surreyshark4(surreyshark4)-1072: Well said, I couldn’t agree more. In my view the countdown is reset every time Bill finds his resting place.
We’re all in it to win it…. counting down.
Cheers
24 Oct 2011, 08:55 am
Our Provinces need meyer, mitchell, rassie and plum. This will ensure long term success. Biggest problem our bok coaches from markgraaf to streauli had was not enough quality players. Do not confuse talent with quality. Meyer’s player development helped jake white more than some would think. I will go with either mallett (without solomons) or venter. What is carel du plessis doing these days?
24 Oct 2011, 08:57 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-1062: Some are saying that it forms part of the southern hemisphere conspiracy to let the AB’s win .
Some have said it was a bit of Joubert being told what to do by paddy, much like Bryce ….
24 Oct 2011, 09:03 am
Congrats All Blacks!!!! Richly deserved cup………
24 Oct 2011, 09:06 am
@Staal(Staal)-1064:
Great to hear from true rugby lovers. I hope fans now acknowledge that this tournament is very difficult to win.
NZ has been dubbed “chokers” because they haven’t won the tournament since “87″
Ultimately its disrespectful to the great teams that have won the cup over the years. No team should go into RWC dubbed by the media as overwhelming favorites as is often the case with NZs .
NZ does generally have the best record in between cups but knockout tournaments don’t respect form, ranking or consistency.
There are so many factors contributing to being victorious and pure luck has a lot to do with it.
If anyone had suggested last year that Ellis and Donald would be the victorious halves pairing for NZ in the final they would have been carted away to a mental asylum. France had poor form through the tournament and Wales had poor form leading in. Yet both performed admirably.
Lets hope four years from now NZ aren’t dubbed the automatic favorites again by the media and rugby public, its unrealistic and doesn’t portray the true nature of this unique tournament.
24 Oct 2011, 09:14 am
What made this game for me , was the history .. France just seems to have the AB’s number in RWC’s. AB’s play great rugby , then the French flair comes in and the impossible works for them. As I sat watching , I feel feel the french turning the screws and tha cracks starting to show.
Was possibly the longest 40 of rugby ever …
24 Oct 2011, 09:15 am
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-1078: Well Said.
24 Oct 2011, 09:17 am
@DocNZ(DocNZ)-1079: It was really a great game. The french were in it till the end. I really thought the french would snatch it at the end. Well Done to NZ for holding on at the end.
24 Oct 2011, 09:20 am
@DocNZ(DocNZ)-1079: Got to agree with you there nail biting – thought we were going to throw the game in the 2nd – only really relaxed in the 79 min !!!!
24 Oct 2011, 09:20 am
The question now is how will Hansen and Forster approach the next four years leading to the 2015 cup? The biggest mistake made by a WC winning team is hanging on to the guys who were there in previous cup, NZ did it in 91, wallabies in 95, boks in 07. The AB’s need to be very smart in getting the balance right, I don’t think McCaw will make it to 2015, his got probably two more years left in him, Read should take over, hoeatta should takeover from brad thorn, Crockett from Tony woodcock, hore and mealamu will have to be replaced in two years, Ben smith needs to feature on the bench, weepu will go and Ellis I assume will takeover but an able replacement is required, Matt Todd in two years will be an able replacement for McCaw. I think Thomson and Vito are a bit suspect but Vito could grow into a backup for kaino. DC must develop cruden, cruden needs to provide that backline rhythm. SBW needs to move to the chiefs to develop further under Wayne smith, his defense is still not up to scratch.
24 Oct 2011, 09:22 am
3 more months till S15 …. what are we going to do !!!!!
24 Oct 2011, 09:25 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-1083: McCaw needs a good break , i would even say ( even though i love to watch him play) that he should be rested for the entire season next year , get rid of the niggles , then he will be good for another 2 years
24 Oct 2011, 09:25 am
@Staal(Staal)-1064: Thank you .
24 Oct 2011, 09:26 am
I see the French are enraged with Craig Joubert. Even his wikipedia page was changed to say he is a “cheat”.
Samoa blamed the ref when the lost to SA.
SA blamed the ref when they lost to Australia
Wales blamed the ref when the lost to France
France blamed the ref when they lost to NZ
The IRB needs to make immediate changes to the rules – it is unsustainable for the game that people now question results, indeed makes a mockery of it. Rule changes need to be implemented to overcome the bizarre outcome that the better team, the team that does all the playing – all the dominating – can still lose due to an individual ref’s interpretations…
Next thing rugby will be viewed the same way as cricket. With great deal of suspicion and no confidence at all.
24 Oct 2011, 09:27 am
Kaino, Weepoo and Nonu all IRB nominees for player of the year award and all completely out classed in the final by their opposite man.
I would say that the true measure of greatness is how an individual performs under the biggest occasion and highest level of pressure. In rugby that is a world cup final and Thieryy Dusurtoir had an incredible game. A true champion even if his team lost. He should be the player of the year.
24 Oct 2011, 09:32 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-1087: The rules have changed too many times in recent years. Far too many grey areas and the referees have lost control completely. Rugby administrators from Australia are trying to create more trys in a desperate attempt for them to be able to compete with rugby league audiences domestically, but the game has suffered as a result of all these adjustments. Referees have never been as bad as they are today in my opinion and yet they are given more support then ever before.
24 Oct 2011, 09:32 am
Craig Joubert pulled a Bryce on himself! Lost alot of respect for him! No balls! best ref in the world = Kaplan!!
24 Oct 2011, 09:32 am
@Staal(Staal)-1064: Cheers Staal, have to say I’m a bit over this having to win this Cup to prove our worth…its all a bit empty for me after the achievements of the past with Grand Slams, Tri-Nations and Bledisloe defense’s etc.
If there was no WC, we would have been on ‘top’ for alot longer, but here we are already talking about the next four years.
Imagine the Boks get their stuff together, retain the 4N’s for four years, Grand Slams and SA win say 3 from S15…become the next world force in rugby and the WC arrives. They have a straight run through the pool stages and meet Argentina in the final, who they have beaten in 4 Nations and the pool stages, but on the day they fail to fire and go down to a dominate team. Argentina are crowned the new WC’s…does it make them the best in the world?
Its all a little too strange for my liking.
24 Oct 2011, 09:35 am
@stew(stew)-1084:
What are we to do…………………………………………………………………well, I don’t know about you, but I am going to GLOAT.
24 Oct 2011, 09:36 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-1088: player of the year is not judged over one game, 6 nations performances come into play here. thierry was nowhere vs nz in the pool stages. that said, he was on fire yesterday
24 Oct 2011, 09:37 am
@The Chokerman – formerly cane(cane)-1092:
24 Oct 2011, 09:38 am
CONGRATS AB’S – YOU HAVE SAVED WORLD RUGBY.
There is no more place for token coaches, token players and sentimental wannabe’s. The best coaches, the best players and the best leaders have to be there at all times. There is no more place for “Judge me at the WC.” You have proved that being the best in every game stands you in good stead for the WC. Hopefully SA administrators, supporters and coaches will realize that you are judged on every performance in the Green and Gold – how anyone has ever been duped into believing anything else is beyond me.
After this weekend I am of the opinion that the WP powers that be lack the ability to get the team ready for play-off rugby, so AC and Rassie should not be considered for the position of Bok coach.
I find it very gratifying that the two teams who play the most attractive rugby are in the CC final and that they are both coached by NZ’ers. We should look no further than these two guys for our next coach. I know it won’t happen, but you never know.
I BELIEVE THAT NZ IS A HAPPY PLACE RIGHT NOW AND SO THEY SHOULD BE. ENJOY THE NEXT FOUR YEARS – YOU RICHLY DESERVE IT AND YOU HAVE GIVEN US SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO.
24 Oct 2011, 09:39 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-1083: Told you not to
sweat it haha…
they will probably keep some in for transition periods and as mentors but I think the dice have already been rolled for regeneration.
Its really the end of an era for the Boks and ABs and I can see the Wallabies driving a few stakes in the ground of the coming years, they have their redevelopment stage under way already.
The next WC, I predict here and now will not be won by a southerner..and I fully intend to capitalize on that asap!!
24 Oct 2011, 09:40 am
How very odd that the floodgates that say ‘ABs were 2nd-best on the day’ are from the exact same folk that claim the ‘Boks were best on the day’ (vs Aus).
It sounds scarily reminiscent of your loudmouthed coach who refers to victories “off the scoreboard”.
Let us not forget your own SA team escaping with a large dollop of good fortune after their encounters with Wales and Samoa before discounting the tremendous defensive efforts by Aus that denuded your team of a recognisable semblance of attack with enough ball & territory to win 3 matches.
Thanks to all those gracious words of Congrats from those true rugby supporters on this thread, especially the ones who went out-of-their-way pre tournament to cast their mockers (eg UFO).
Kia kaha
24 Oct 2011, 09:42 am
I heard rossoneri email the NZ rugby president about the small number of Maori’s in the NZ team! see told him that they have more white players than the Boks and that if thats not going to change we will start supporting the Boks … WTF??!
24 Oct 2011, 09:43 am
@Staal 1064: very gracious comments Staal.
The final demonstrated to kiwis how hard world cups are to win. We perhaps have not been respectful enough of past wins by boks and england in particular. Winning finals requires a special level of commitment, to overcome the inevitable tough games that come along. The boks have been one of the best at that, and I think the ab coaching team must have copied some of the features of bok success.
24 Oct 2011, 09:43 am
Black Panther does your mother have alot of washing to do 2day – cause you probably shat your pance yesterday!
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