New Zealand finished off a fantastic tournament with a nervous narrow 8-7 victory against France at Eden Park in Auckland
After passionate renditions of France’s and New Zealand’s anthems the crowd buzzed with anticipation for the Haka. The French faced the war dance in an arrow head as they held hands, the All Blacks lead by Piri Weepu looked fierce and ready for the match. As the Haka continued the French stepped forward as a line to challenge the Haka to the disapproval of the crowd. Both sides looked ready for the match.
New Zealand won first battle as they won back their own kick-off and then Dimitri Yachvilli made the first mistake by kicking the ball out on the full. Early nerves as Kiwis lost their first line-out and France looked to move the ball out wide. They played some nice phases, but they held onto the ball at the ruck and were penalised as they made inroads into New Zealand’s half.
Another sloppy line-out followed, but New Zealand won the ball back and looked to release Richard Kahui down the left-wing, but Morgan Parra just edged offside to give the All Blacks their first shot at goal that Piri Weepu shanked to the left of the posts. The French took possession from the 22 metre drop-out and once again put together some excellent phases, however, the ball was turned over and Ma’a Nonu was on hand to clear the ball deep into French territory.
Nonu charged into Parra and then Richie McCaw smashed into the ruck and Parra got a knee to the face. Parra was replaced by Francois Trinh-Duc which meant the French were playing with an out and out fly-half in the No.10 shirt. This looked to have been a replacement due to Parra’s injury, however, it seems that the French used it as a blood substitution and Parra returned ten minutes later.
From a New Zealand penalty they kicked into the corner and won the line-out as they set up a clever move to release Tony Woodcock for an easy try from about five metres out. Weepu could not add the extras as he pushed the kick wide. France 0 New Zealand 5
Tony Woodcock scored New Zealand's only try and celebrated with Piri Weepu
The All Blacks looked dangerous going forward with the ball and started to gain some momentum, but Kahui could not avoid being dragged into touch. The French defence was looking up to the job. Parra went off the pitch once again; perhaps it was not a blood injury the first time he went off? Maybe he just needed a rest after getting hit in the head. Israel Dagg put the French under real pressure with a fantastic kick to the corner.
The All Blacks demonstrated their world class counter-rucking skills with a powerful turnover that won them a penalty. Weepu composed himself once again; however, once again he missed the kick at goal. Kicks in finals are crucial; New Zealand had to decide whether to give the young Aaron Cruden the kicking duties. Weepu’s place-kicking was not going well put he found touch once again to put the French under pressure in their 22. The French won a great line-out and cleared their lines.
Cruden looked to make a break through the French line, unfortunately, he hyper-extended his knee forwards. Another All Black fly-half injured and Stephen Donald came on to make his World Cup debut in the Final. He had to settle in quickly to make sure that New Zealand started to pull away from France.
The French won a line-out following a penalty in New Zealand’s 22 and looked for a drop-goal; however, Trinh-Duc pushed the attempt to the right of the uprights. The All Blacks won back the 22 drop-out and kicked the ball clear. A kicking battle followed and then Trinh-Duc made an outstanding break and was only brought down by a heroic tap-tackle from Weepu.
Weepu kicked the ball out to force the half-time whistle. Half time: France 0 New Zealand 5
At half-time New Zealand seemed to be in the lead without stretching themselves too much, however, Weepu’s goal-kicking had to improve or he would have to hand over the kicking responsibilities to Stephen Donald. The French would have been happy with the half-time score and hoped to pull off the unexpected.
The French made a strong start to the second-half as they charged into New Zealand’s half and won a penalty because Richie McCaw went in at the side of the ruck. Yachvilli just missed the kick at goal by a matter of inches. New Zealand bounced back from the re-start and put another testing kick into the French 22. The French cleared their lines and then New Zealand won the resulting line-out and was awarded a penalty. Donald stepped up to take his first World Cup kick at goal and just about managed to keep the ball between the posts. France 0 New Zealand 8
France took advantage of a turnover and broke through the All Black defence. Vincent Clerc looked to be in for a try; however, the offload to Yachvilli was unsuccessful as the scrum-half slipped. A few phases later Thierry Dusetoir managed to crash over to score France’s first try just to the right of the posts. Trinh Duc added the simple extras France 7 New Zealand 8 with half an hour to go the game was in the balance. The next scorer would probably win the match. Weepu was substituted after a disappointing performance off the tee and some defensive errors.
Thierry Dusetoir crashed over by the posts for France to make the final stages of the game nervous for New Zealand
Neither side could establish their dominance in the game, for nearly ten minutes not a lot happened. The French forced a penalty from the scrum and Trinh-Duc missed the long attempt at goal. The All Blacks had a shaky moment when France put up a high ball and Israel Dagg lost the ball to Trinh-Duc in the air. However, the French knocked on.
New Zealand fans in Eden Park must have been worrying about their side choking once again in a pressured situation. However, the All Blacks seemed far too happy to settle for a one point win as Donald once again kicked to the corner to keep the pressure piled on the French.
With ten minutes to go the French had the lion’s share of possession and gradually edged themselves further into New Zealand’s half. The threat of a drop-goal or penalty was a serious worry, New Zealand had to be disciplined and keep their defensive line. They managed to force France to spill the ball, but the referee gave the scrum to France. Sonny Bill Williams came on to replace Ma’a Nonu hoping to create an impact. New Zealand forced a knock-on an was awarded a scrum.
With four minutes to go New Zealand had to grind down the clock. All the All Blacks had to do to become World Champions was to pick and go with the forwards. France looked frustrated as they desperately tried to force a turnover or a penalty. However, the penalty went New Zealand’s way and Donald cleared the ball into French territory. 30 seconds remained and the All Blacks took on a driving maul. The French went offside at the ruck and they cleared the ball into touch to claim their 2nd World Cup Title on home soil. The whole of Eden Park erupted with cheers and the substitutes and playing staff flooded the pitch, relief overwhelmed Richie McCaw and his men as they finally won World Rugby’s biggest prize.
Full time: France 7 New Zealand 8 the final was much closer than many people expected, missed kicks nearly cost the All Blacks dearly. The French can be proud of their performance as they performed for the first time in the Tournament. The best team in World Rugby over the past three or four years became World Champions after overcoming the adversity of several injured fly-halves.
Man of the Match: Richie McCaw he was outstanding at the breakdown and he led the team with confidence. He has been one of rugby’s best captains and will be so proud of his team. He lifted the trophy to rapturous applause.
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