Tickets To Finals Wanted from All Blacks' Supporters

The All Blacks lost their match against France from the word go, when the French - including Sebastian Chaval - stood ON the halfway line. You could sense that just from a spatial perspective, the All Blacks had nowhere to go, and were themselves intimidated, instead of the other way round.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited Wallaby-All Black encounter has taken place after all - at Charles de Gaulle airport.

JP Pietersen Buys Himself Unlimited Credit

Close to the 70th minute South African J. P. Pietersen spoiled a flying Ifereimi Rawaqa's bid for the corner. Pietersen scooped up the big man as he dived across the line, pinning down his arms and preventing him -- just -- from grounding the ball.

Pietersen has been criticised in lounges and living rooms for some time now, for making a hash during crucial runs. One living room expert said early in the game yesterday:
"He's a great player, as long as you put the ball into his hands. Otherwise he fumbles."

Pietersen's once-in-a-million spoiler, in the in-goal area, at a crucial time in a crucial match, will have wiped out all those bad debts.

Meanwhile, what is the difference between an arsonist and the All Blacks?
An arsonist does not lose his last match.

What's the difference between a tea bag and the All Blacks?
A tea bag remains in the Cup until the end.

RWC: French Stun NZ

New Zealand choke; Aussies also on their way home

Southern hemisphere teams and supporters suffered a collective jaw drop as they saw first Australia fold under pressure against England (losing 12-10), and then New Zealand lose their composure. Both sides played with uncharacteristic caution, allowing their opponents to take up the slack and generate their own momentum.

Many rugby supporters, myself included, saw both these matches as mere formalities for the the Southern Hemisphere teams, en route to the Semi’s.

While the Aussies performance reeked, the All Blacks played well, finishing their first half with a 13-0 lead, and a lead that looked unassailable at that point. The French tactic up until then was to boot the ball ineffectually around, giving away possession, and so losing the ability to develop any cogent form of attack.

2nd Fiddle

In the second half, everything changed. Kiwi magician Luke McAlister who had already scored a brilliant try in the first half, was sent to the sin bin early in the second half for a professional foul on the try line. Beauxis kicked the penalty, putting the first points on the board for France. At this point the score was 13-3.

The pendulum begun to shift as the French team surged. Playing with visible courage, they were suddenly committed and believing in themselves. The first French try came soon after ‘caveman’ Sébastien Chabal and Dimitri Szarzewski joined the field. Sustained pressure bore fruit, starting with flanker Thierry Dusautoir’s try. Meanwhile, more and more of the big names from the opposing squad limped off the field. The French fight back was hard and tough. Facing this resurgent French team, the Kiwi’s first faded, then choked.

In one encounter 5 All Blacks converged on the ball as it passed the try line, with two All Black players colliding into one another. Then, with around 10 minutes remaining, French wizard (on his day) Michalak – replacing Beauxis – broke away and squirmed around to hand over to Yannick Jauzion for their second try.

Disciplined Defence

It was a brave and brutal fight back by the Tricolores. The French defended with tremendous discipline, even to the last second of the game. The French scored all 20 of their points in the second half; New Zealand managed only 5 points (from a single unconverted try). Despite the big hearts of the French players, the margin was small in the final score: 20-18.

But New Zealand’s second half performance overall was as off color in the as their shirts.
Captain Richie McCaw was understandably at a loss for words after the game. He described the error of engaging in ‘ping-pong’ with the French, and straying from their own game plan. But even South African viewers were shocked at this double turnaround.

That the TriNations top two teams were stymied was not necessarily due to being beaten by better teams, but losing composure under pressure. Both sides were not really tested until these quarter final games, and vitally, when you’re behind in crucial knock out games and facing a deadline, self belief and composure becomes paramount.

Not Convincing

It’s also fair to say that the 2 point winning margin doesn’t demonstrate convincing victories from either England or France. All it demonstrates is the North’s will to win overcame their adversary’s fear of losing.

New Zealand especially are guilty of putting far too much pressure on themselves when facing defeat in World Cup games. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. When behind, does desperation lead to doubt, or belief?

These matches provide excellent counseling for the remaining Southern Hemisphere powerhouse, South Africa, who are now the favorites on paper. Having seen how giants can be slaughtered, do they have the composure in the face of terrible pressure and possible defeat?

After the bruising encounters on Saturday, it’s unlikely that France or England will be able to pick themselves up to face the Boks, who are looking superstrong. But stranger things have happened.

World Cup Rugby: England Bloodied By Boks

Springbok victory over defending champ puts them in pole position (RSA 36 ENG 0)

What was immediately obvious during Friday's match between defending World Cup champs, England, and their southern hemisphere rivals, was the amount of English blood.

The South Africans played aggressively against a team that seemed to lack assertiveness, and were simply overpowered by Bok brawn.

After only five minutes South African JP Pietersen stormed down the right flank after a lineout. He passed to Fourie du Preez, his scrum half, and du Preez passed to Juan Smith, who crossed the line for a try.

Shortly after, ex Grey College youngster Francois Steyn belted white leather 48 metres to add 3 more points. Mike Catt was unable to return the fsvour, when England won a penalty shortly after.

Winger Pietersen scored shortly before half time, putting the Boks into a decent 20-0 lead.

The carnage continued in the second half with England seeming to struggle under constant pressure; game maker Jason Robinson was forced to leave the field after pulling his hamstring. Brian Habana, the superfast South African, left the field for five minutes to treat a facial cut.

Fourie Du Preez, who set up many of his teams best moves, scored the third try in the last fifteen minutes. The Boks lost momentum , easing down a gear or two, as a constant stream of fresh players were substituted. This sideshow of putting various players through their paces was the backdrop to arguably the most confident and powerful side in this World Cup.

SA coach Jake White has said before: "A world champion team has the best defence." The Boks have proved to be virtually impenetrable. The struggling English side made several runs against the solid green hedge, only to emerge with bloodied white jerseys, and bleeding faces.

Percy Montgomery rounded off the game with a penalty, bringing his tally to an all match total of 47: Monty is now the highest point scorer for the tournament thus far. Fourie du Preez was named Man of the Match.

England must face and overcome another physical side - the Samoans - to reach the next round. But will they? After Friday's performance, this is by no means a certainty. And even if England do beat Samoa, they will probably face Australia in an equally bruising Quarter-Final.

Meanwhile Tournament favourites, and Tri-Nations champs, New Zealand must be biting their nails at the prospect of taking on the Boks in France. This is an almost certain destiny now for both sides.

Coming up soon:
New Zealand vs Portugal
Wales vs Australia
Ireland vs Georgia.