This past month has been a tremendous spectacle for those of us who love International Rugby. For sure it was a pain to have to set the video recorder or to get up early to watch the match but the sport and the way that the Hosts New Zealand delivered the event gave us much to enjoy.
New Zealand won as anticipated however the French brought a team in good spirit and chastened into performance by the coach’s comments earlier in the week where he branded them a disgrace. The game ended up being a much closer affair than expected with the French superb in defence, thwarting the Running game of the All Blacks. It is ironic that the Kiwi’s try came from a Lineout set piece and scored by the #1 Front Row Forward Tony Woodcock. The conversion was missed by Piri Weepu who failed to score any of the 8 points available from spot kicks.
As the French scored a try to bring the teams to within a single point, I am sure that the substituted Weepu must have been hugely concerned at the potential cost of those 8 missed points. As it turned out, they held on despite a valiant French effort.
On the whole I felt that the All Blacks deserved the win in terms of performance throughout the competition despite the final showdown not reflecting that. The French’s second place can only reflect their patchy form over the month long competition and the defeat by Tonga gives food for thought.
Image via Wikipedia
I’m reading other bloggers’ reports that it was an ugly game but really I can’t see how it could be anything else when the teams are so closely matched on the day. For sure fast running breaks with sure ball handling and inspired kicking will always have a place in any match of this quality but at the end of the day it’s about who wants it most in the middle of the park. Today that honour went to the All Blacks but the French effort being only one point behind reflects their contribution to a hard fought World Cup Final.
I’d like to thank my friends working with Heineken who produced the ‘This Is The Game’ video series, their sponsorship during the World Cup has worked very well for us, it has been great to work with you.
Next Up – 6-Nations
Will the young Welsh team be able to carry forward their momentum
Will the England camp settle under a new manager
Many key Irish players will have retired including captain Brian O’Driscoll – What next for Irish Rugby?
How will the Scots recover from a poor World cup
Will the French be Cocorico?
Put it in your Diaries
Six Nations Fixtures
Week 1
4 February 2012
14:30 France v Italy Stade de France, Saint-Denis
4 February 2012
17:00 Scotland v England Murrayfield, Edinburgh
5 February 2012
15:00 Ireland v Wales Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Week 2
11 February 2012
16:00 Italy v England Stadio Olimpico, Rome
11 February 2012
20:00 France v Ireland Stade de France, Saint-Denis
12 February 2012
15:00 Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Week 3
25 February 2012
13:30 Ireland v Italy Aviva Stadium, Dublin
25 February 2012
16:00 England v Wales Twickenham, London
26 February 2012
15:00 Scotland v France Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Week 4
10 March 2012
14:30 Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10 March 2012
17:00 Ireland v Scotland Aviva Stadium, Dublin
11 March 2012
15:00 France v England Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Week 5
17 March 2012
12:30 Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico, Rome
17 March 2012
14:45 Wales v France Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
17 March 2012
17:00 England v Ireland Twickenham, London
