As Sam Warburton was dragging his stunned face off Eden Park, and with Alain Rolland’s red card still aloft behind him, sometime Roarer Westius came back swiftly with, “took all of 10 mins to ruin that idea!”
Though the talk has somewhat died down three days later, I maintain Rolland got it right. Whatever you think of the decision itself, and what effect the decision had on the game, one thing remains unarguable: Warburton lifted French winger Vincent Clerc above the horizontal and ultimately dropped him on his shoulders and neck.
And the IRB’s directive on this matter, first issued in 2009 and reiterated several times since by referee’s boss Paddy O’Brien, is quite clear about possible scenarios regarding lifting tackles, including:
“The player is lifted and then forced or “speared” into the ground. A red card should be issued for this type of tackle.”
When the Warburton’s tackle is looked at, and this directive is applied, it’s clear that Rolland didn’t have a whole lot of choice. Warburton had to go.
What ensued for the remaining 61 minutes was a team performance for the RWC annals. With only 14 men, Wales pushed France until the very end, and it is still hard to argue with Welsh defence Coach Shaun Edwards’ blunt post-match offering, “The team that should be in the World Cup final on Sunday won’t be.”
The loss of Rhys Priestland before the match really hurt Wales’ chances of stretching France, even with a full complement of players. James Hook started well enough, and kicked smartly at stages during the first half, but as the game went on, he seemed to panic and lose his way.
During the half time break, Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie offered his typically astute thoughts, saying via Twitter, “If I was Wales I would not kick the ball at all – multiple phases – simple focus on ball retention – France will stress without the ball”.
Minutes after the break, McKenzie followed up with “Hook is killing me. Stop kicking away front foot ball in particular”. Now, I’m not sure if Welsh coach Warren Gatland is a follower, but not a minute later Hook was … well, you know. Stephen Jones went on, but nothing really improved.
Now yes, Mike Phillips would score his second brilliant blindside sniping try in a week, and you’d have been excused for thinking Eden Park had been temporarily relocated to Cardiff for the night, such was the noise as the Welsh were urged home. But in the end, they just couldn’t land the killer blow.
The last period of play probably highlights Wales’ night perfectly. 26 phases of possession just inside the French half, and with Jones standing deep in the pocket for a good chunk of them, yet the Welsh couldn’t get themselves any closer. In fact, for the last ten phases they lost ground, which forced Jones to spread the ball wide in desperation, only to see Jamie Roberts cough the ball up in the scramble. France were through to their second RWC Final at Eden Park.
My point in all this is that France proved the old scoring adage that “you don’t have to draw a picture”. They won through to another crack at lifting “Bill” by doing the simple things right, just as they did in their Quarter Final against England. Thought at times they didn’t look like they wanted to play much rugby, at the times they had to, they did it very, very well.
Their scrum was solid all night, their defence in the second half – and the last twenty minutes especially – was from the top shelf, and their dual scrumhalves, Dimitry Yachvili and Morgan Parra, kicked superbly for territory all game. They did precisely what they needed to do to win, and nothing more. You don’t have to draw a picture.
We’re now left with a repeat of the inaugural RWC Final, and though France will obviously be hoping for a different result from 1987, I don’t like their chances.
New Zealand are through to a third RWC final, and the surprise is perhaps not they beat Australia as clinically as they did (and do, it seems), but that there were people outside patriotic lines giving the Wallabies a chance in the first place.
The All Blacks were always going to be up for this game, and when Quade Cooper kicked off straight into touch, you just had a bad feeling about how the night might turn out for the Wallabies. The old line, “started off s#$%house and went downhill from there” instantly sprang to mind.
And that would turn out to be a fair assessment of the Wallabies’ performance.
On full time, Richie McCaw had the satisfied look of a satisfied captain, and he was walking remarkably freely for a man whose foot injury was supposedly on the verge of requiring amputation. He wasn’t quite at his peak, but he still held his own in the company of New Zealand’s outstanding backrow for the whole 80 minutes.
Of course, they weren’t the only black-clad trio to run amok. Cory Jane was the official Man of the Match, but it could just as easily have been Israel Dagg or even Israel Dagg’s prodigious right boot. These two (three) and back three partner Richard Kahui made sure the aerial game was a virtual no-contest, and I lost count of the number of times they made something from nothing from a kick-return and clever offload.
On the other side of the ledger, if there’s a word to describe the Wallabies in general play, it’s ‘panicked’. As the night went on and time got away, the panic only seemed to intensify. Passes were pushed. Ruck ball wasn’t released. Runners became isolated. Footing was lost. At one stage, skipper James Horwill’s errant touch on a descending bomb sent the ball cannoning forward straight into the hands of an offside Adam Ashley-Cooper. It was that sort of night.
Wallaby fans – me included – had a bit of fun with the #HandsOffSevenBlack hash tag over the weekend, but it might have had the opposite effect from that desired. “7 Gold” seemed to feature in Craig Joubert’s game commentary fairly regularly. Try as he might, David Pocock just didn’t have the same effectiveness as he did in the Quarters, although given what he got away with against South Africa, it’s probably a case of things evening out, as they tend to.
And before anyone assumes anything, that’s not a slight on Joubert’s refereeing at all. He had an excellent game with the whistle, and the Final will be a fitting reward.
In the end, the best team on the night – if not of the tournament – won comfortably, even though 17 points were left on the field, generally to the right of the uprights.
If I’m honest, I always imagined New Zealand would bring about Australia’s Rugby World Cup demise in 2011. This might have happened a game earlier than forecast (or hoped), but it has happened anyway. We all like to joke about the All Blacks past penchants for falling at the second- or third-last hurdle, but I didn’t believe it would happen this time.
A second possession of the William Webb Ellis trophy would be apt for what has clearly been the best rugby team in the world for some time.
With another New Zealand-France RWC final, and again at Eden Park, it seems Split Enz might have got it wrong all those years ago. I’m quite sure history will repeat next Sunday night in Auckland.
Parisien
Guest
You are right, it was mostly disappointment about the result and the performance The regret is more specifically for opportunities missed ie; that Deans didn't try Barnes at 12, that he moved AAC and not O'Connor to fullback to cover for Beale's injury, that he had McCabe and Faiangaa playing together in the centers, that Sharpe wasn't there to come off the bench for his 100th test and so on. Regret for that which we missed and will never know!
zhenry
Guest
I was always amazed at SMH editorial to invert the English language before my very eyes; like Plato’s bit by bit generalisations to all of a sudden present 1+1=3: It’s hard to predict the top team results in a RWC, too many lottery factors. I think it was a bad thing to make spot judgements especially ruining a once in 4 years game. The touchies might have been involved in the Nonu try but again would have preferred the TMO. I don’t have the same regard for rugby judicial process as you probably do. It was surely a tactic for the ABs to kick and chase WBs and it often worked, but there were too many loose kicks and not enough ‘holding the ball with patience’; as you point out, for both teams.
Brett McKay
Expert
Good on you Parisian, really good post. But I was interested that you used the word 'regret' - I don't know I have any regrets per se, but certainly areas of disappointment. But my point about regret is that as long as the team left nothing in the tank, then I don't know we can ask for much more. If the team has done as best as it possibly could, but got beaten by better teams on the day, there's nothing to regret there..
Brett McKay
Expert
Alains, I can't view your clip where I am today, but I'll check it and come back in the next day or two..
Brett McKay
Guest
well I can hardly NOT reply to your post now, can I, Nashi!! Thanks for your comments though, I really appreciate the feedback.. You may well be right regarding use of the TMO, actually, and I have to admit that “in the act of scoring” provision escaped my mind when commenting yesterday. Having seen a few more replays of it, the touchie was well positioned to see Dagg's foot anyway, and must have been able to give Joubert the quick nod. All in all, it was right decision though, and that's what matters in the end. Regarding Wales, I completely agree with you. I've commented here in other replies that I think Wales have more to gain out of this game, and would be very determined to arrive home with some semblance of restored pride. Interestingly though, I've seen reports suggetsing Toby Falatau will have to play at 7 in Warburton's absence, as Wales also didn't bring another opensider. For the Wallabies, your Barnes/Ashley-Cooper combo may well be the go, as Pat McCabe's been ruled out and is presumably being prepared for the panelbeaters. My lord he'll sleep well when this tour's done!! But the 3rd place game - much like at the football WC - is all about open, running rugby, so I think we might be in for a bit of treat. And I hope you're right about it being memorable, because I cannot remember any of the past Bronze games!!
Parisien
Guest
Thanks Brett for your balanced and well-reasoned article. The weekend's rugby has left me with very mixed thoughts and feelings about Deans, the Wallabies, even rugby in general and I'm sure I'm not alone. Red cards, strategies, running rugby versus kicking rugby, territory, possession, forwards versus backs, selections, the French...I've been having some very disturbed nights. Nothing like a WRC to take over one's life for a few weeks. If only they were every two years! I regret some of Dean's decisions, selections and strategies, and that certain key players were absent, but mostly I regret that in the end the Wallabies just weren't good enough on the day. They are a good team but still a work in progress. They are going to have to lift if they want to beat Wales who have looked good, but they are capable of winning and winning well if they get it all together. Well done to the All Blacks for playing some really impressive rugby, hunting like a pack (as usual), and seizing their opportunities. They were clinical, ruthless, and relentless and would be very worthy winners of the WRC which brings me to the French. I'm dismayed to see how some people, including experienced rugby journalists talk of them as trash, rabble, and the worst finalists in history. Anyone who knows the players and who have followed French rugby for more than a few weeks knows this to be wrong and can see the quality, strengths, and depth in this team. They would also know how Lievremont has messed the team up on so many occasions, constantly tinkering with selections, combinations and strategies, which has not helped with their consistency. However France were Six Nations champions only 18 months ago and turned in some mighty performances against the English, French and Welsh. They've won back to back tests before in New Zealand, (unlike many other pretenders), they've won at Eden Park more recently than anyone else, and they generally reserve their best for the All Blacks. Here in France, this is seen as the dream final, the chance to beat the mighty All Blacks, the world's best on their own turf when they are hosting the World Cup. The French play best when written off, and when against the All Blacks, and there is now this emotional belief they are meeting with their destiny. The players and public accept occasional bad performances as long as they produce the occasional brilliant game with flair and panache. And as long as they occasionally beat the All Blacks, the best team in the world! Now a rationalist will say they have very little chance, New Zealand are way too strong, the French have looked very ordinary so far, that they are yet to gel as a team. But as you say above in your article "though at times they didn’t look like they wanted to play much rugby, at the times they had to, they did it very very well." The All Blacks should win comfortably on form next weekend but the French have excellent forwards (all eight of them), very good set pieces, and very talented backs. Their defense has improved, and if they are mentally right on the night, then anything can happen. Whichever team wins,and I hope it will be recognized as such, it will be a good win for rugby!
countryboy
Guest
Read an interview with Rafael Ibanez (I think) a few years ago in which he was asked why the French rugby team was so inconsistent. He shrugged his shoulders and said (in your best French accent) "Sometimes when we play, we fly like the angels......., other times.......we are just shit" ..which just about sums it up.
Nashi
Guest
Brett, nice article. I always look forward to your measured response to such emotion charged outcomes and I appreciate the fact that you respond more than any other journo to the posters feedback. I have a feeling that Joubert was not entitled to go to the TMO re Dagg's foot because it was not "in the act of scoring" as such. An earlier discussion about Joubert's performance highlighted this fact. I also felt pretty comfortable on the single replay I saw of the try that Dagg's foot was in the clear anyway. With regard to Wales, I am not so confident that we can beat them, but I would would ask Robbie and co that if we want to be remembered and respected as a team we need to go back to "our" game. Put Barnes in at 12, AAC at 13 and let the boys play fast and loose. I've had enough of the tight RWC football to last me 4 more years. And there is no other team that offers the same prospect of reciprocation. You could even argue (if you were not talking to a Kiwi) that it has the prospect of being even more memorable than the final. Right now everyone looks at us as a bunch of wannabees on too much red cordial. OK so let's show them what a sugar hit really looks like in full flight!
HunterS
Guest
Paddy OBrian has his other hand on it. It was safe before the start.
Alains-beloved-France
Guest
Hi Brett, This Match is Tolouse v Leinster the tackler is "Leclerc" & guess who the Honourable ref is!!!!! http://www.com/watch?v=jhqUtd8xD00 Did he get this decission right or wrong?????
Brett McKay
Expert
History, the IRB most certianly have issued directives on these "tip" tackles, as I mentioned in the article. The RWC site re-published it again only this week: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2059102.html As I mentioned in the column, this article here also mentions: "A directive was issued to all Unions and Match Officials in 2009.." It goes on to describe the scenarios that constitute a red card, one of which I referred to above, others have been posted in comments above, and which I won't repeat again. And surely you're not suggesting I'd be crying blue murder if and Australian player got the red card?? The law's the law, there's no getting away from it. Thanks for questioning my objectivity though. What you're also getting into is consistency among referees, and that's a whole other issue. If the next 'tip tackle' isn't punished the same way, that doesn't make Rolland's decision on Warburton wrong. Consistency among referee rulings shouldn't be constrained to tip tackles either - you alluded to the breakdown yourself. No doubt the IRB and Paddy O'Brien have a job on their hands addressing this..
Brett McKay
Expert
Hi Sheek, wasn't able to reply to your post before, for some reason.. No doubt that tackle got away from Warburton, and I think that was partly the look on his face after the card was issued. And I agree, there's no point blaming him or Alain Rolland for the Welsh loss. It was just one of things that happens - and gets adjudicated accordingly - on the rugby field. It will be an interesting case study over the next few years, to plot the developing Welsh side against the developing Wallabies. They play each twice in the next month, and it would be nice if there's a few more fixtures before the Lions tour and obviously RWC2015..
History Repeats
Guest
Brett theres some good articles on here, but whether wales should have won with 14 is a mute point. The IRB never set a concrete directive through the early stages (& still havent). I agree these tackles can be dangerous & should be stamped out, having copped a couple myself in my playing days. In Warburtons favour there was no malice. So where does this leave us as there is still no absolute blanket ban as yet. The interpretation is still wide open to individual reffs as the IRB have still not acted. History will definitely repeat only next time it could be Australia at the receiving end, I wonder your thoughts then? This is a bloody good Welsh side & I for one was relishing the final with the AB's. I had my doubts about Rolland after the Wales/Samoa game where the Samoans were absolutely lawless at the breakdown & rucks & Rolland cast a blind eye. Just watch the game again to get my drift. The fact that he reffed the 6 nations in this semi concerned me & proved to be correct. Why wasn't he allocated the other final, I can tell you we would have been over the moon to get Joubert for the semi as well.. If these tackles are a red from this time on, then I have no further comment, but I bet they wont be & the next time it happens there will be a lot of adjudication which will have made the Wales v France final a farce.
Justin
Guest
No show of crucial stats like missed penalties and penalties from scrums? Stats tell part of the story, never the whole truth. For instance our possesion often was static or under pressure and stats wont show that.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Wow, that is one of the most sporting things I've ever heard in my life. Imagine that, in the professional age from a team that has so roundly been criticised at this World Cup and who has never won one either. If I wasn't cheering for the French already, I most certainly will be now.
Brett McKay
Guest
cheers Temba. I know what you mean regarding yellow/3 weeks, but in that case, the tribunal ruling may well have been that yellow should ahve been red, and so 3 weeks is now actually 5. It's happened in the past. Otherwise, I agree with you, and I think Wales earned a lot of fans down this way. Be interesting to see the Wallabies play them in Cardiff in November/December..
the other Steve - and AB fan
Guest
The French got rattled and then knocked over by Tonga, so their mental state and confidence can be knocked around within a game. Now Tonga is good, but they are not the All Blacks. If the All Balcks play their high tempo, pressure game from the beginning (as they did against the Wallabies), then France will never get the chance or the self-belief to get the 'French Fury' going. In the NZ - France pool game, the French kicked off and had the initiative for that first 10 minutes of high pressure rugby. The All Blacks defence held and hit back, and the French never really got going again.
TembaVJ
Guest
Good article, very good post Brett and Sam, wish we could get this sort of quality on a Monday morning if you know what I mean. The red card issue is very tough for me to side on... The law is the law but it ruined a nations hopes and to be fair we have seen similar tackles through out the year some of them not even receiving a yellow. In the end a penalty, 10 minutes in the bin and a 3 week ban would have been justice to me. Kick Wales out of a RWC semi is harsh. its not hard to guess who would have won if not for that red. I feel for Wales, they deserved to go on, besides the AB's Wales have been a good advertisement for the game, under dogs, heart and not scared to run with the ball.
the other Steve - and AB fan
Guest
they did get the Kapo O Panga
Brett McKay
Guest
Hoy, it seems Kapo O Panga comes out for games they really want to win, and I think the Frenchies might have even got it during the pool stages..