[Frogmite]

Rugby World Cup Final By Frogmite

For those who didn't know (shame on them), today we had the Rugby World Cup Final between France and New Zealand.

First of all, i would like to highlight that i am a big fan of All-blacks and what i will describe here is "slightly" biaised. So don't flame me for telling me i'm wrong, because frenchs are always right

This final had really something special for both teams. For New Zealand first, because they are considered as the best team of the world, essence of rugby (and blablabla), and have not win a world cup for 24 years! Pretty strange for being the best team of the world in my opinion but well.

And for France, of course, who didn't win any World Cup so far, criticised (i am not sure about the spelling for that one) by everyone for "not deserving' being in final of a world cup (and blablabla). Furthermore, they will face their best ennemies (after rosbiffs, sorry England).

With one week between the semi-finals and the final, it had given time for everyone to start their "psychologic war" with their rivals.

While in the french newspaper we can see that:

How can we beat them?
After the All-blacks demonstration against Australia in semi-finals, les bleus (french team nickname) will have to make the perfect game if they want to win.

In the New Zealand's Rugby herald we can see that:

This, of course, doesn't question the legendary fair play of New Zealanders .

Well, back to the game, in Auckland, where France will be facing with 15 men a whole country (and a referee let's be honest).

The Haka

First of all, we have the Haka, the mighty dance, that french people always respects as we all love All-blacks, and they look completely awesome when they do that (less when they try to score penalties).
We see the traditional Haka, France is facing it as a team, hands in hands, ready to brave this horde of savage people dressed in black and dancing (???) in front of us.

The fact that changed the game

23rd minute. Morgan Parra in fighting like never in defense. But a "non-volontary" knee punch by Richie Mc Cow() send the french out for the rest of game. First KO, Parra try to come back to the field with all his courage, but can't really stand more than 5 minutes. The final is over for him and France lose his kicker. Nevertheless, the entry of Francois Thrin-Duc will dynamise a bit more the french game, even though this #@$%# missed the drop of the victory.

Richie Mac Caw, well known of course for always releasing the ball and never put a hand in a ruck. And always for being a good friend with all the referees but well...

The man of the game

Thierry Dusautoir. The french captain have been as always a complete baller, legendary i will say. From the Marseillaise (french anthem) we could see in his eyes that it would be a great game. He's leading the french group against the Haka. In the game, he makes 12 tackles and gain a lot of running meters with his terrific charges. He's the one at the conclusion of the wonderful french try. More than ever he worth the nickname of Dark Destroyer (given by the All-blacks themselves). More than anyone else he would have deserved to carry the trophy tonight.

He completely missed his game

Piri Weepu was not as shiny as usual. He missed 3 attempts in a row to score points for New Zealand. In the game, his moves were not as usefull as the ones he did against the other teams in this world cup (great teams such as japan, tonga or canada). He had for mission to help the Kiwi's 10 Cruden, but instead he was too nervous and almost cost the final to New Zealand (Thanks to Thrin-duc being quite bad too).

The game

After a very "comme ci comme ca" penalty awarded by the referee for the All-blacks after Dusautoir shamelessly kept the ball on the ground for 0.75s, the blacks kicks into touch, at 15 meters of the french try line. The touch is doned by the blacks, the ball randomly finishing its course in the blacks prop's arms and go to score the try (" I'm gonna tackle this guy, i'm gonna tackle this guy, Aaaaaahhhh, hey wait what's that in my hands, oh god i cannot stop running i better fall down and do a ruck behind this line there...) => TRY for All-blacks.

New Zealand 5-0 France

The game is reaching at 40 minutes mark. New Zealand takes the ball out of the scrum, and listen to that, it's what i call the death of rugby, why All-blacks lost so much to my eyes tonight (but i still love them ), Piri Weepu (named above), takes the ball and kicks into touch, under the wristle of the crowd who wants to see rugby games, not little girls affraid to lose and kicking into touch at half time

HALF TIME
New Zealand 5-0 France

Second half, Piri Weepu is finally replaced, legend says that he shaved his beard in the changing rooms because it was looking very untidy.
All-blacks get a penalty because french player was contesting the ball with his hands in a ruck. And this is strictly forbidden, unless you're Richie Mc Caw and everything is allowed. The kick is straight, distance is good, and New Zealand scoring 3 more points.

New Zealand 8-0 France

Only 25 minutes left to play, france is going for gear second (pronounced Gear secundo ala One Piece). As what i will described is purely art i can't say it in english as it will be betraying the spirit of it. You can still google translate it if you wish.

"Les bleus viennent de perdre un ballon dans les 22 des Blacks, ils sont maintenant a la contre attaque, ca va vite, meme peut-etre un peu trop vite, les blacks lachent le cuir apres un placage de chantier par Nallet, le ballon tombe au sol, Thrin-duc surgit telle la fouine, s'empare de la balle, envoie les cannes, valide son ticket pour l'autoroute des vacances mais tombe sur un controlleur nomme Mc Caw. Thrin duc passe par le sol, passe la balle au sol a Rougerie qui arrive pleine balle les cheveux au vent, crochete la defense et vient mourrir a quelques metres de la ligne. Mas et servat arrive la tete en avant dans les rucks et nettoie le ruck des quelques taches noires qui reste, yachvili se jette pour passer la balle a dusautoir qui depose tout le monde, a meme le temps de passer des mouchoirs a Mc Caw pour soigner son rhume, et applatit en terre promise juste sous les pagelles des Blacks. Le public se leve, les femmes jettent leur string sur la pelouse, je renverse ma biere sur mon voisin et l'equipe de France vient juste de montrer aux blacks, qu' on peut se balader a Eden Park un dimanche soir de grande ecoute. Thrin-duc transforme avec une aisance deconcertante.

New Zealand 8-7 France

Less than 20 minutes left in this game, it starts to be very tense, the director of the New Zealand Herald start to prepare the rope to hang himself, we can the whiteness of the face of Weepu on the bench: France is really going to make it! Penalty for France! Once again the all-blacks didn't roll away, and fortunately enough for the frenchs, the referee remembered he put his wristle in his shirt pocket. Thrin-duc for the attempt, looks at the post, we can a smile on his face, he knows that gonna be the deciding penalty and he cannot miss it. All his life goes over his eyes in a second, then he remembers he has to shoot and proceed. The kick go straight, it looks goooooooooood, but no, a tricky whirly wind push the ball out of the post and the penalty is not good.

-CAUTION ! Trolling part -
The rest of the game we all know it. All-blacks recover the ball 2 minutes before the end of the game and just do pick and go sequence spaced of 30 seconds, just a matter to know who will take the ball. This sequence once again, completely destroyed the image i had of the blacks, even my little brother who is 13 would have taken the ball and run to hit the defense like real men do.
-End of Troll part-

The referee signals the end of the game, All blacks win their second world cup of history, France losing their second final.

END OF THE GAME
New Zealand 8-7 France

GG All-blacks, WP France, you didn't win the World Cup, but for sure you were World Champions tonight .

A vision of Setenta Live experts (rugby tv) on a video i found on youtube.

To finish this article, I will quote my grandfather: "When you're at the top of the mountain, you realise that what is beautiful is not the view you get, but the way you climbed". Merci les bleus

Quick Comments

	Nemo:	Awesome ! Thanks Alex.
	nirvAnA:	FRENCH INVASION!!!!!!
	Zjub:

[LennX]

Great write up!
I will look forward to more of your writing ^^

[TCPLemminks]

In all fairness, the first try was brilliant tactically and Les Bleus didn't react to it, It's like coming up against a 2 proxy stargate and you only have 3 queens.

The line out split in two and the French had to copy, leaving a huge hole in the middle, throw went to the back half and the try scorer ran in from the front half, right through the hole and scored the try.

I just wonder why Jazbas didn't do the Haka at blizzcon ^^.

[Frogmite]

Originally Posted by Lemminks

In all fairness, the first try was brilliant tactically and Les Bleus didn't react to it, It's like coming up against a 2 proxy stargate and you only have 3 queens.

The line out split in two and the French had to copy, leaving a huge hole in the middle, throw went to the back half and the try scorer ran in from the front half, right through the hole and scored the try.

Yeah, i am just being a bit bad-looser for this one, especially because we gave him the entry ticket to highway and the keys of the car with that. It was pretty well-played by the blacks. And in my opinion, the only defensive error of France for the whole game. Ma'a Nonu spent his game mowing the field than going through the defence as he usually does.

[TADivinity]

As a Kiwi I can't help being just as biased as you were in your own post :P.....

France played seriously strong in the second half, but you must remember the amount of top-grade players that were missing on field. Muliaina and Carter, obviously the most missed. The fact we went to our FOURTH fly-half also says something of depth. The fact that Stephen Donald was called really shows desperation (Not sure if you know, he was practically blamed for a big loss versus Australia in Hong Kong. The NZ media SLAMMED him, and he was ultimately dropped from the squad. And yet, his debut into the world cup was the final!)

I also must say the Weepu's conversion kicking was hopeless, and the score line could have been far more convincing. Those were kicks that Carter simply never misses - even under pressure. Indeed, Weepu also did a stupid kick from the ground that went right to the chest of your 21 (I think Trinh-Duc? Or is he 9?) which went to the French try. Despite that, his hand kicking / kicks for touch were phenomenal (To be fair, thats all he is usually expected to do in regards to kicking. And you say it is soft rugby - but it works, and it is not easy to place a kick so close to touch that the opposition doesnt receive possession, and yet also doesnt go out on the full). Tony Woodcocks try was perfectly executed. He scored 7 or 8 tries this WC - far surpassing any other Forward. Fantastic player.

Also you criticise the way the ABs played out the last 10 minutes - or 2 minutes specifically. I feel I must remind you that that is Exactly how Les Blues played 4 years ago when you knocked us out of the quarters ^^

Agreed that Dusautoir was the man of the match (Literally). He was awesome.

As for the media, the rugby propaganda of anti-opposition for the week, pro-ABs is to be expected. Its a rugby nation, which is a tiny nation. The Media has NOTHING to report on there except natural disasters...and the next rugby match. They may report on cricket if theyre lucky..or netball against the Aussies. Also, winning the World Cup means everything to NZ. To be honest, I'm glad for people living in Christchurch that we won. Those poor people needed something right to happen in their lives!


And thats my two cents.

[Frogmite]

Originally Posted by TADivinity

Also you criticise the way the ABs played out the last 10 minutes - or 2 minutes specifically. I feel I must remind you that that is Exactly how Les Blues played 4 years ago when you knocked us out of the quarters ^^

Actually what i remember from that quarter-finals is that All-Blacks were pushing through french defense until last second. I remember a missed drop from an all-black at the last second, recovered by Yachvili that kicks outside the field.

Yeah, i am a bit bad loser, but all the french are like that, especially when we lose a world cup final, twice.

Still Allblacks, still the best team we can find in the world (after France )

Edit: i added a Caution trolling part! on the message so everybody now i am not too bad mannered

[creamwolf1]

New Zealnd is doing so well .... !

[TADivinity]

Originally Posted by Frogmite

Actually what i remember from that quarter-finals is that All-Blacks were pushing through french defense until last second. I remember a missed drop from an all-black at the last second, recovered by Yachvili that kicks outside the field.

Ah, what I meant is you were playing like that until we received the ball and made that push. I believe McAlistar missed that drop-goal. Wasnt even close. Was the worst feeling!

And dw about being a bad loser. I am a Kiwi living in Sydney - and the Aussie's are the worst losers ever :P. I am used to it haha.

But yeah - that was a nail-biting game!

[Nemo]

Originally Posted by Frogmite

"Les bleus viennent de perdre un ballon dans les 22 des Blacks, ils sont maintenant a la contre attaque, ca va vite, meme peut-etre un peu trop vite, les blacks lachent le cuir apres un placage de chantier par Nallet, le ballon tombe au sol, Thrin-duc surgit telle la fouine, s'empare de la balle, envoie les cannes, valide son ticket pour l'autoroute des vacances mais tombe sur un controlleur nomme Mc Caw. Thrin duc passe par le sol, passe la balle au sol a Rougerie qui arrive pleine balle les cheveux au vent, crochete la defense et vient mourrir a quelques metres de la ligne. Mas et servat arrive la tete en avant dans les rucks et nettoie le ruck des quelques taches noires qui reste, yachvili se jette pour passer la balle a dusautoir qui depose tout le monde, a meme le temps de passer des mouchoirs a Mc Caw pour soigner son rhume, et applatit en terre promise juste sous les pagelles des Blacks. Le public se leve, les femmes jettent leur string sur la pelouse, je renverse ma biere sur mon voisin et l'equipe de France vient juste de montrer aux blacks, qu' on peut se balader a Eden Park un dimanche soir de grande ecoute. Thrin-duc transforme avec une aisance deconcertante.

Where did you get that text ?

Ha, ha, Nice trolling Frogmite. What you says is not untrue but let be honest, if we had won that one it would have been quite a hold up considering the whole competion and the past 4 years or even the 20 last years.

The ers deserved to win this cup, no doubt about it.

Edit : By the while, it's our 3rd final defeat : 1987, 1999, 2011

[lolwut]

I'm a new zealander but in my opinion france played better than us in the 2nd half and we were lucky to win it. Oh well, At least we did

[Muldeh]

I'm a New Zealander and I say idc as long as we did better than the Australians.

Quick Comments

	Frogmite:	Same for me, at least we've beaten England
	lolwut:	:D We played awesomely that game
	Zjub:	That semi was one hell of a game!

[Frogmite]

Originally Posted by Nemo

Where did you get that text ?

Ha, ha, Nice trolling Frogmite. What you says is not untrue but let be honest, if we had won that one it would have been quite a hold up considering the whole competion and the past 4 years or even the 20 last years.

The ers deserved to win this cup, no doubt about it.

Edit : By the while, it's our 3rd final defeat : 1987, 1999, 2011

This block of text is from me. It's what came to my mind when i saw the try. I am little bit too driven by passion (and beer). I will try to translate it today.
Yes no doubt ers deserved to win the World Cup. They scored more points than us, so they were the best tonight on the field. Thanks for highlighting that it's our third final, i will update the original post.

[ToRSpartaz]

Good to be there watching the game ^^, It was sooo intense watching it at the fan zones in Albany duuudes xD

Quick Comments

TADivinity:

I met an Albanian guy once

[Nemo]

Originally Posted by Frogmite

This block of text is from me. It's what came to my mind when i saw the try.

Génial ! Impressed by your writing talent then.

[Frogmite]

I found this very interesting video, that i think will include inside my article.
It seems i am not the only one to think as i am