Here I was just a few hours ago hoping that I would be able to write about a great French victory over the Kiwis. But as everyone who knows a kiwi will probably know by now, that is not what panned out.
Overall I think the French were unlucky not to win. They played the better rugby and were the better team to watch with the ball in hand. Maybe if a few calls went there way it might have been a different story.
Unfortunately though, all we will hear for the next four years from across the Tasman and every city in Australia that is home to the kiwis who love their country so much they live here in Australia, is how the All Blacks are the World Champions.
They have finally broken the hoodoo, or have they. Since the First World Cup held in New Zealand they have been favourites to win so many but always came up short. Now they have won it again with it being back on their own soil. Maybe this will only confirm that they can win a World Cup at home but not on foreign soil. The true test of a champion team is winning everywhere, not just at home. Let's see how they go in four years.
On a side note from the game it was nice to finally see a team stand up to the haka and respond. Running forward holding hands though was not quite what I expected but I impressed nonetheless.
In the end congratulations must be given to New Zealand but greater plaudits must be given to France who were written off by everyone before the game. Vive Le Francais.
This whole tournament was designed to give the ABs the victory. Home soil, easiest pool, compliant local media, sympathetic referees - you name it; they got it - so its no wonder they actually won the thing.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree there johnnyjojoshabadoo. But you watch the kiwis go on now about how they are the best team ever in the history of Union. Someone should tell them when they hit the top the fall down can be hard and long.
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