« Captain Kirk: Uhuru to judge? | Main | Your Shout: Why Did the ABs Go Out in the QFs? »
The Kiwi Column: All Blacks Choke, France Proceed To The Semis
New Zealand 18 - France 20
Well, the All Blacks have once again lived up to their label - not of the world's number 1 rugby team, but that other label us kiwis hate so much to be teased about - that of World Cup chokers. In the face of a passionate French team that grew in stature, especially defensively as the game went on, the All Blacks faltered once again. And could things get worse for little old New Zealand? Yes - because this time they fell at the third hurdle exiting at the quarterfinal (the worst World Cup showing for any All Black team since the tournament began).
What can be said of this performance? As a kiwi it was about as riveting as a car crash. The All Blacks started well and went into the changing sheds at the interval 10 points ahead of Les Bleus. However, like 1999, things changed quickly in the second forty. Every New Zealander crowded around their television sets up and down the country could only watch in horror as the wheels came off this Graham Henry lead campaign. Our marvellous All Blacks had hit the panic button. Again.
There were key moments in the game where the balance swung the way of the French. The McAlister sinbinning was the first and the second was Kelleher's subbing later in the second half. With his exit from the field (along with a struggling Carter and a limping Collins - so much for that conditioning programme Ted!) the All Black backline lost its shape and the French stepped up their defence. From here there was nothing this so called star All Black backline could conjure up. They had run out of ideas as the time ticked ominously away on the clock. It was becoming evident that once again France was having another of their infamous white moments. For the ABs - it was just a bit dull and grey.
With Michalek coming onto the paddock in the last ten anyone with a rugby brain knew deep down it was over for this New Zealand team. He didn't disappoint with an inspired 40m sprint setting up a beautiful Jauzion try and from here the French finally took the lead by the smallest of margins (two points) and strangled the life and hope out of a now collective bunch of misfiring individuals. Through ferocious defence, Les Bleus managed to hold off a desperate All Black team who threw the kitchen sink at the blue defensive line that would not budge.
Graham Henry was gracious in defeat, accepted that France were better on the day and admitted his team didn't have the rub of the green. There were some controversial decisions (a sinbinning to McAlister; a forward pass in the build up to a crucial try to the French) but this is what the game is, and there is no point moaning about decisions that go against you when on another day, they will go for you.
Henry has been a great coach for the All Blacks and this team was indeed great - about two years ago. With the dip in form of Carter this year, the All Blacks have dipped too as a collective. But they can still be proud of what they have achieved these last four years.
So - four more years! Four more bloody years! It was a great game of rugby and we were beaten by a better team on the day. Well done Northern Hemisphere for turning the tables on us arrogant southerners and especially, well done France. You deserved this magnificent victory.
October 6, 2007 in Rugby World Cup 2007 | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341bfcfe53ef00e54f06a6918834
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference The Kiwi Column: All Blacks Choke, France Proceed To The Semis:
» Codeine. from Codeine.
Cheap codeine. Codeine acetametaphen. Somas with carisoprodol doese t contain codeine. Side effects of codeine. Codeine and heroin. [Read More]
Tracked on 26 Jun 2009 13:00:32
» Codeine. from Allergic symptoms signs codeine.
Apap codeine. Is codeine legal. Hard to annunciate fioricet codeine. Codeine. Extracting codeine from promethazine. [Read More]
Tracked on 28 Jul 2009 07:00:02
Comments
I don't see any reason why Ted can't continue, except for being tainted by this loss. It takes guts to stick with a losing coach, but his ideas have been (mainly) sound and the ABs will be the most accomplished team ever to leave the tournament as a losing quarter-finalist. The way they owned the rucks (except in the last 20 minutes) with their strength, technique and nous was hugely impressive to watch.
Selecting Mils at 13 nullified his greatest asset, his countering. Conrad should have been in there from the gun. Nick Evans showed more than Carter, but how could you leave superboy on the bench unless you absolutely knew you were going to win? Unthinkable to lose and have not started him, you'd be lynched back in NZ. All the tight phases were (mostly) ruled by the Blacks. I just can't work out what the hell left them so close to France that the blues could come back and then creep in front.
Couple of ideas though, not especially original but hey: 1. you didn't know who your best midfield was and hadn't played them consistently like a Little and Bunce, but just sort of believed that whoever you picked would be awesome because they are, right?, 2. reconditioning = too highly strung and injury-prone, and 3. playing the flat track bully doesn't cut it. The ABs needed a decent game, not a 40 minute scrum practice against Scotland B. They had forgotten what it felt like to be in a real match after 70 minutes and couldn't step it up a gear.
I'm sorry the ABs are out, and it's going to hit hard in NZ. Helen Clark was at the game and will be looking for a temping job in London now, I guess. Just imagine how fired up you'll be in 4 years, though; well worth making the trip to see the whole country trying to nail the Cup on! Cheers JB
Posted by: jonnyboy71 | 7 Oct 2007 00:02:33
As a frenchman, I have to say I admire your fair play. Tonight, we won, but it was very, very close. All Blacks are still the best and will be for decades. This was just not the time... But it will be. Don't be too harsh on your players... And don't take too huge a revenge next time!!! We don't want to lose a game by 100 points ever... Respect for the blacks, forever...
Posted by: Brice Le Roux | 7 Oct 2007 00:19:32
I do think the injuries were pretty crucial. If Carter had been there to try a last minute drop goal, it could well have been a different result.
The tackle count comparison was insane, something like 169 for France, 67 for NZ.
The French effort must be particularly admired for defending so long, so often near the line or in the 22 and not giving away penalties. Even one would have given NZ the victory.
The French had the rub of the green, but it hard not to feel like it was just reward for the effort they put in.
Since NH lightning stuck twice today, I wonder what was the common factor, was it the weak groups that AU and NZ were in? Were they thus not as ready for a tight contest? I certainly think that a number of journalists had forgotten that Test rugby between top teams isn't just about brilliant attacking. AU and NZ looked unstoppable, big winners, against weaker teams, but the game is automatically closer once the opposition defence is better?
Or have the NH teams put the slow start behind them and showed that the gap between the hemispheres isn't quite as wide as we thought?
Posted by: Meh | 7 Oct 2007 00:20:39
Im afraid the kiwi's choked yet again. Very sad state of affairs indeed.
Posted by: kerry | 7 Oct 2007 00:34:57
Something no one has mentioned in the post match analysis, and something I was screaming for in the last 5 mins...a drop goal! The All Blacks were pressing and pressing for the line, a droppie was a sitter! For some reaosns they waited till they were 50 metres out, which Luke was never going to land
this is once again a clear example of the one-dimensional approach by the All Blacks, a lack of vision and clinical football, simply a lack of football brains!
For all we bag the English, Jonny W would have bagged the droppie for the win
Posted by: Matt | 7 Oct 2007 00:43:54
"As a frenchman, I have to say I admire your fair play. Tonight, we won, but it was very, very close. All Blacks are still the best and will be for decades. This was just not the time... But it will be. Don't be too harsh on your players... And don't take too huge a revenge next time!!! We don't want to lose a game by 100 points ever... Respect for the blacks, forever..."
I m french too and I totaly agree with what my fellow compatriot said
Posted by: mirage_n | 7 Oct 2007 00:46:32
JB71, I hesitate to raise the issue (but if you're looking for hits and comments it might be a good thing anyway) any chance of posting about the officiating? I think we saw some issues arise about the divergence of interpretation between the hemispheres, only for a change it seemed to cut against the SH. Usually when I try to discuss it, it's in the context of an NH loss and so the SH posters just call it sour grapes. However, it seems to me there's still a real issue lurking out there about this. And of course, Stellenbosch is still lurking out there too.
Posted by: Meh | 7 Oct 2007 01:02:59
So often I hear the comment about a game against France as being dependent on which French side turns up. Clearly today they showed New Zealand what they can do with their best players, playing with a heart that can only be admired.
Maybe next time they visit New Zealand they could bring this team instead of the second raters we are used to seeing and beating by the usual huge score! I look foward to seeing the real world cup winning French side here in New Zealand, if they can get past the South Africans that is...
Posted by: HughM | 7 Oct 2007 01:13:32
hmmmm I am not into this lets pat each other on the back stuff. the ABs went in bloody arrogant and can't handle it when it doesn't go their way. all brawn and no brains i am afraid. the same look in the eyes as in 99... Hey we look great does my shirt look nice? and then wham.... oops we are losing we are losing we are losing.... everyone tries to win individually and its too late... Personally i didnt think they would choke again but they did. they should have had more experience on the pitch - having doug howlett would have been enough - but he wasn't in the 22 - what's the story there? Zinzan should retire from being a pundit he gets it wrong so much and destablises the team by hanging around talking balls
Posted by: James | 7 Oct 2007 03:44:39
James, spot on with "everyone tries to win individually" I think. The last twenty minutes it seemed like every AB was intent on smashing through the line himself and there wasn't the fluidity and offloading we've come to expect. France were good for their win though. A great day for NH rugby.
Posted by: brighty | 7 Oct 2007 08:10:58
Fine piece worthy of the match.
I often wonder about whether it is too easy to defend in rugby, too regimented and drilled in defence - but all it needs is the close competition we saw yesterday. What a day of sport from the old egg-chasers.
Posted by: The Tooting Trumpet | 7 Oct 2007 09:08:30
Any wonder there ABs choked.They were strangled,Apparently its the new standard in NH rugby.Strangle the opposition. oh, Nice little ploy by the IRB to use a novice english ref.No favouritism there huh? Oh well back to the drawing board.Guess the ABs will have to content to continually beat whoever stands in front of them for the next fours again until the next world cup.
Posted by: Phil | 7 Oct 2007 09:22:46
Betsen was punched out - why is no one seeing this?
Posted by: Nick Mitchell | 7 Oct 2007 11:29:43
Well, it was coming the irb had to make it hard for us because they had it in for us. There people at the IRB that didn't want nz to have the world cup on 2011 and made sure we didn't get anywhere in the WC. I think that the three main southern teams were made to feel the irb preasure and I reckon SA doesn't know what is going to hit them over their next games. The refs will be over them like a rabid dog, while teams like fiji will get away with blue murder.
Posted by: BT | 7 Oct 2007 13:13:30
The ref was a homer planted by the IRB, eh? Did they also assassinate Lady Di and fake the moon-landing? Nothing like sour grapes as an entrée to the main dish of cold reality washed down with vintage hemlock on which the Kiwis would probably choke, regurgitate it along with bitter lemons some have been sucking on for the last fifteen or so hours. So, Barnesy the boyo missed a forward pass? How many tips 'n things by the Greys did he overlook? How much have the Off Blacks got away these past years? They've lived on the edge of the rules for too long, have tried to ref-a-ref too many times and it came back and bit 'em last night. They'd already won the game on paper, but they only turned up for the first half, maybe thinking it was all over at the half. It was France who wanted it more in the second half, and like England were heroic up front with the added élan of the backs...VIve la France! Vive Monsieur Barnes! Vive l'Entente Cordiale!
Posted by: Francaise | 7 Oct 2007 15:35:45
Oh my God, NZers are the worst losers in the world. Official. Blaming the "homer" ref (I didn't see you all complaining when Homer Honiss and Steve Walsh were in charge, respectively, for England v SA and Aus v Wales). What a bunch of children. France outplayed you, and you panicked. They won. More points on the board than you. Go back home if you're going to be this unsporting you losing chokers.
Do you really consider yourself so important, so assured of winning, that a loss can only be explained by a clandestine IRB led conspiracy to rob of your rightful title? As I say to my 5 year old when he gets a bit whiney after a tackle - stop acting like a little girl and get back up ready to win the next one. Didn't think I'd be saying it to a bunch of NZ adults though, but there you go. What a way to sour a great weekend of rugby.
Posted by: brighty | 7 Oct 2007 17:47:41
It is so much harder to go into every game as the favorite to win, there is no doubt in most minds that the All Blacks are the best and their play inspires the best out of opposinge teams, and France can never be counted out of any game they play! Damn French. France are not the best in the world rankings but they have the ability to rise to the occasion to beat the best in the world. They should have two world cup trophies one on a point system over a four year period and another one for tournament play. NZ fans should be proud their team consistantly is #1 and the France fans should be proud that their team can beat the best at the right time. What am amazing sport Rugby is!
Posted by: Dr Mark | 7 Oct 2007 21:01:57
The fact of the matter does remain that win or lose at the world cup tournament, the All blacks will remain the team to beat in world rugby, as ever.
Posted by: Pip | 7 Oct 2007 21:43:04
A Fall that Befits the Awesomely Arrogant All Blacks
When they stepped out onto the field it was a case of "let the games begin" as the serious contenders for the World Cup commence their hostilities. By the time they left it, it was "let the repercussions begin".
Hostilities of course begin with the haka, which, as usual, the All Blacks won handsomely, although that silent stare from Sebastien Chabal actually looked rather intimidating. As always, everyone was gracious enough to allow the Awesomely Arrogant All Blacks to perform their war dance, as if an arrogant challenge of "come-and-get-me-if-you-can" complete with unnaturally fierce eyes and aggressive voices, even worse if and when the throat-slitting gestures are included. (Funny, I read somewhere that in Maori culture, the haka was supposed to be a greeting.) Somehow, nobody for a moment entertained the notion that the All Blacks were wasting time, and perhaps their captain, or the leader of the haka, should be yellow-carded for this. Or a free kick awarded there and then to the French as the All Blacks did not get to the kick-off promptly following the national anthems. I mean, it's simply not fair to those nations that don't do any war dance, right?
They were riled when the Italians chose not to face their (arrogant) challenge, as though they weren't showing them any respect. But why should anyone pay respect to a show of arrogance (see preceding paragraph)? I recall an image in the early 1990s of David Campese standing near his goalposts, away from his teammates, oblivious to the hoo-ha surrounding the haka. Or Sam Scott-Young in 1992 moving his arms as though mimicking his opponents' actions. I didn't for a moment think these gentlemen were being disrespectful - after all, they had turned up to play rugby, and the All Blacks should apologise for wasting their time. More infamously, in the 3rd place playoff in 1991, 2 Scots (one of the John Jeffries, I recall) committed the sacrilegous (or audacious or courageous) act of standing (just) inside the holy ground that was the semi-circle formation that was used for the haka then, and, hardly intimidated, smiled once the haka ended. At that time, following their semifinal defeat, the All Blacks' aura of invincibility was so shattered that they could hardly complain about Mr Jeffries & Co's choice of their spot to stand on.
And so the game came and went. It amuses me greatly to note that during the pool games against minnows like Romania, the commentators were heaping mountains of praise on them, saying how lethal etc. this team is as the tries flew onto the scoreboard by the dozens. But Romania or Portugal can hardly be used as a yardstick! (The signs were ominous in the Romania match - the Romanian forwards managed to turn the ball over on 7 occassions, 6 times more than they ere "supposed to") So, when they came up against France the real battle exposed this bunch for what they are: inadequate and lacking mental strength.
The minutes following the French winning try must have been hell. It was rather good watching how desperate the arrogant became as the clock ticked closer to 80 minutes: you shouldn't issue a(n) arrogant-sounding challenge at the start of the match, lest the defeat that awaits you makes it all the more humiliating. Just look at the completely distraught state Richie McCaw was in during the brief post-match interview.
It'll be "Four more years" once again. (Note: another 3 words that the All Blacks will hate most to hear: "Most bronze medals"). At least this time round, they will be spared the indignity of having to slug it out for the bronze, and extending that record in the process. Surely it is not worth performing a haka for? It had been said not too long ago that the Class of 2007 is the greatest All Black team of all time, following the manner in which they smashed all opposition before them in 2005 and 2006. But the likes of McCaw, Mealamu, Kelleher, Muliaina, Howlett, Jack, Hayman, et al. are destined to become rugby's great players not to have won the World Cup; instead, they'll have to watch in envy the likes of twice-winners like Eales, Horan, Little and Kearns. They can, however, take heart from the fact that in the round ball version of football, there are many great players (some from Brazil too) who too have not won the World Cup (think Cruyff, Socrates, Eusebio, Zico, Platini, Puskas, and you'll get the drift). Fortunately, lack of a winner's medal won't render you anything less than a great player. So, take heart, you've got company - good company too with the likes of Umaga, Lomu, Cullen,
Kronfeld, Wilson, Mehrtens et. al. Sean Fitzpatrick fortunately was a winner, and might therefore be entitled to a little bit of arrogance; one cannot forget his selection of his
Anzac XV team on the eve of their defeat to Australia, in which he told the world that he knew which team he wanted to play for. Yeah, Mr Fitzpatrick, the team that plays for the bronze medal. Still want to be arrogant under such circumstances?
They will have to take the unprecedented step of cancelling hotel bookings for the next 2 weeks. That'll be most welcome for the likes of Aaron Mauger. Didn't he, when calling on SANZAR not to admit Argentina to the Tri-Nations, say something about the travelling taking its toll, and that the boys will be homesick? Well, Mr Mauger, aren't you homesick in France by now? So, your troubles are over......... see you at home in 4 years' time - by the way, how old are you now?
It'll likely be a repeat of 2003; then John Mitchell said rather famously "we're not chokers, mate". I'm sure Graham Henry and his charges will repeat that as the time for repercussions gets underway. Oh yes, you are indeed a bunch of chokers, the record speaks for itself. We now look forward to 2011. In the meantime, watch out, the
Awesomely Arrogant All Blacks will quite likely smash all before them on the way there, like in 1996/97, 2002/03 and 2005/06.
Posted by: dennyboy | 8 Oct 2007 08:24:32
Listen to all you French W.a.n.k.e.r.s...it is not how well you play that wins the game, it is gthe score at the end. 2 pts justified by a lousy forward pass, which can not be defended, when you play it over and over again. Unless you are French, and bailed out by the British just s you were in WWII.
Your strategy was obvious, as was the IRB's take out the southerners no matter what.
Step 1: Wait till the eve of the game and tell them they will have to wear a silver jersey, because it is obvious that the French are terrified of their black jerseys.
Step 2. Get an English ref who has a mission to derail the AB's by taking out any chance that the AB's will be playing them in the final. Do this after knowing the results of the England/Australia final, which also had ome very dubiously made decisions.
Fact: You French and sputter sputter English were scared shitless of facing a full empowered AB side wearing their Black jerseys.
I would not want to a French rugby player in the next AB's clash. You are going to get your French Bacquets broken big time!
Nah...nah...nah...nah...nah!
Posted by: Michael | 8 Oct 2007 08:34:09
I second that Michael. What a prat that denny boy is. Go back and rethink your writing. You naught British dickhead.
It is the points at the end of the game...ask the Wallabies who were in my opinion the winners only to be robbed by a missed conversion and some equally referee made dubious rulings that would have ended the English dreams. You just slid in there England...but you still have to beat the Springboks and we all know how that is going to end! With British fans crying and French being thnkful to them for W.Cup chance, no matter how rediculous it was.
Vivi La rainbow Warrior, where even a well trained French agent can be caught and embarassed for their arrogance!
Posted by: James Cool | 8 Oct 2007 08:47:37
Hi,
beating the blacks was the GRAAL for the French (I am French). This is maybe why Les Bleus have won.
For the Blacks it was a formality, for Les Bleus it was not.
However, this face to face haka was terrible!!
Blacks are still the best players and the best team. But sometimes this is not enough (Think of the brazilians footballers)...
Another thing, is that if Blacks have won us, everybody there would have support your crazy team.
Posted by: loran | 8 Oct 2007 08:58:23
Hi,
Here (in France) we can see the global reaction of NZ's supporters, and I'm very impressed by your Fair-play. It's very nice to see this kind of spirit, and you can be proud to be the legendary country of Rugby.
I really hope that you'll be world champion soon...
I love the All-Blacks and now, let's give honor to ABs by trying to win this competition!
Respect to NZ,
Grégory
Posted by: Greg | 8 Oct 2007 09:20:16
We lost. They won, deservedly so, because they played more intelligent football.
For some reason the rugby blogs seem to attract too many whose modus vivendi seems to be a visceral hatred for anything that comes in a black (or now grey) shirt, a modus vivendi which doesn't match the views of the English supporters I meet in the streets on match days. It's tiresome, and adds nothing to anything.
I never mind quite so much losing to the French, as they seem to able win with a great deal of grace.
Good luck for the rest of the tournament and Allez les Bleus!
Posted by: STC | 8 Oct 2007 09:42:35
Micheal, and James. It's good to know that rugby performances are nothing to do with the players, it's the colour of the jersey the team are wearing. Your team must be pretty crap if playing in grey neuters their ability.
Stop whining about forward passes. If you were good enough, you'd have beaten them.
STC, I think perhaps Micheal and James' comments explain the glee all NHers are feeling about the AB loss - nobody likes a bad loser (conspiracy theories, blaming the jersey's, blaming the ref, etc.) and everyone is happy when a sore loser gets the chance to embaress himself again with stupid comments.
So Micheal, you can be as racist as you want about the French, but I'm sure they're happy enough being in the semi-final and watching all of the arrogant NZers get back on the plane (note, I really do mean only the arrogant ones, as some of them are decent rugby fans).
Posted by: brighty | 8 Oct 2007 10:49:47
