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The big sign says it all - Source: Photosport -
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The All Blacks have been hailed as worthy - and long overdue - World Cup champions but the international rugby media has also heaped praise on France after an epic final at Eden Park last night.
"In the end they simply could not bear the thought of losing," wrote The Guardian's Robert Kitson of New Zealand's 8-7 win, which ended a 24-year drought at rugby's showpiece tournament.
"Some World Cups are won by a flash of genius or a moment of defensive confusion. This one simply boiled down to the All Blacks' fear of walking off their favourite field as beaten finalists in a game they were expected to win by the length of the North Island."
Kitson continued, "in the home coaching box, by Graham Henry's own admission, there was 'turmoil' as France came within an ace of the unthinkable.
"For a moment it appeared to be deja vu all over again, a grisly flashback to the quarterfinal defeat to the same opponents in Cardiff in 2007. Even the most patriotic Kiwi could not deny that France were demonstrably the better team on the day."
"By the time they have swept up all the tickertape along Queen Street following the open-top bus parade, such minor details will have been forgotten. Nor will it bother the hosts that the South African referee, Craig Joubert, turned in a truly toe-curling first-half performance which helped to save the All Blacks," Kitson surmised.
In London's Daily Telegraph, chief rugby writer Mick Cleary said the All Blacks were deserved champions.
"In the end New Zealand were just grateful to hang on, the forwards picking and going only inches at a time to run the clock down for four long minutes. But they managed it, and the celebrations right throughout the land began. It was going to be a long night but a joyous one.
"It was a deserved accolade to have claimed in the end for the double act of coach and captain, Graham Henry and Richie McCaw, these two great men warranted all the plaudits they would receive," declared Cleary.
However, an online poll of the Daily Telegraph's readers believed the French were hard done by, with more than two-thirds of readers saying Les Bleus were the better team and deserved to win the final.
The newspaper gave a rare 10-out-of-10 to France captain Thierry Dusautoir, who was simply sensational in his man-of-the-match performance, while Cleary wrote that there would be gnashing of teeth in Britain as New Zealand looked "utterly paralysed by the occasion".
"Kiwi endeavour may have finally borne fruit but across Europe the sickly stench of missed opportunity will linger for months."
In the Sydney Morning Herald, chief rugby writer Greg Growden said the win was fitting for New Zealand, given the disasters which have transpired here in recent times.
"The 24-year All Black gloom has lifted," he said.
"Finally light, peace and relief for a long-suffering New Zealand. A country that has hemorrhaged badly through the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake and Pike River mining disaster can find relief in the fact that they are again officially the world's best in what they do best - playing, living and breathing rugby.
"After all, it is their game. A rejuvenating game, but still a cruel game. It is an all-encompassing passion that has given them so much anguish - long stretches of nationwide depression in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007, but not in 2011 when it was again became New Zealand's glorious game. The New Zealand rugby heart is once more in union."
In Wales, the Western Mail's website, WalesOnline, said New Zealand ended 24 years of hurt by being crowned world champions at an emotion-charged Eden Park, "but only after perceived no-hopers France gave them a colossal fright".
"Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy as New Zealand ended a tournament they started as red-hot favourites 45 days ago with rugby union's golden prize ultimately in their grasp.
"France, though, delivered a performance of which few people thought they were capable, having lost to New Zealand and Tonga in the pool phase and then edged past 14-man semi-final opponents Wales.
"But they shook, rattled and almost rolled over an All Blacks side that just overcame debilitating big-night nerves."
Add a Comment:
Post new commentnorsims said on 2011-10-30 @ 05:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
All blacks deserved winning the RWC overall but the French were the better team in the final. I was an annoyed that the AB's were not very gracious victors! None of the AB's comments immediately after the match didn't give any credit to the French for making it such a nail biting game. As an expat, Now I can understand why there is comments from other countries that the kiwis are a bit arrogant when it comes to rugby.
TTT said on 2011-10-25 @ 07:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
It was Great to see the VOLUNTEERS honoured too in the Parade. Given their time and work for Free to make this Rugby World Cup A BIG success.
gatman said on 2011-10-24 @ 12:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
What on earth 's this ??? Les Blues the better side on the night ??? Joubert the 16th man ??? If you're able to watch it again you will see that they weren't & he wasn't !! There were inaccuracies all over the park...it swung both ways... & all night long but in the end THE better side won on the night, without any doubt at all. Huge defensive effort by the All Blacks. They are a great team. They are the Champions ! Kia Kaha !!
Marg27 said on 2011-10-24 @ 12:29 NZDT: Report abusive post
So proud of New Zealand and the All Blacks. The only unbeaten team in the RWC. Loved being in Auckland last week and seeing the fanzone, Wynyard Quarter, Cloud, Taste etc - Auckland you have done yourselves proud - well done!!
Cha858 said on 2011-10-24 @ 12:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
To all those who keep blaming the ref's for their team loosing, GET A LIFE. It's not an exact science and they are only human, but to blame Joubert for the French loss is a joke. Either team COULD have won it and honestly, at times France looked most likely to - but they didn't. Without the refs there is no game, so get over it. A lot of the laws are subjective and the calls are often 50/50 but in the end someone with the skill, fitness and guts to do the job has to blow the whistle.