Walking along the Southgate waterfront in Melbourne, heading for an Irish pub to watch the semi-final clash with Jess all kitted up in her All Blacks jumper and me in the gold Wallabies jersey, I may have jinxed the Australians by saying that the Rugby World Cup is gearing as a 1987 replay.
The same teams, the same location.
Last Friday night I was at the same venue watching as the French overcame an emotion-charged Welsh outfit that had their leader sitting on the sidelines after being sent off for a dangerous tackle – a tackle that in my opinion only warranted several minutes in the sin bin, not the rest of the match.
Fast forward 24 hours and there we were with a beautifully positioned bar table right in front of the big screen. With a cold pint of Guinness in hand and a Australian-NZ crowd standing around waiting for the kick-off, the scene was set.
Quade Cooper walked to the line, picked up the Gilbert World Cup ball and kicked to his left – out on the full. For someone in such a form slump, there couldn’t have been a worse of a way to start a crucial battle.
You could sense something in the air when the All Blacks faced off against the Wallabies to perform the haka. With a home crowd behind them, Weepu sounded off and the Kiwis put on an inspirational show to the thousands plus in the stands and millions more glued to the box around the globe.
There was no stare down this time. They completed the Haka and then simply turned and went to their places with determination in their eyes and the look of we will not let this one slip away on their faces.
If the haka wasn’t enough to bear my statement, the first ten minutes should’ve been. New Zealand put on an amazing opening passage which resembled a powerful locomotive moving at full steam ahead. The Australians had nothing, their response nil. They were stunned, confident less and repeatedly making error after error.
There was no Lawrence-like refereeing performance in the match. Last weekend against the Springboks, David Pocock was the hero and man of the match – mainly due to his ability to play the referee. Against the All Blacks, he would be the villain for the exact same reasons as the preceding game. He had several mates who would join him.
New Zealand was dominant in their 20-6 triumph. Ma’a Nonu crossed the line early, Piri Weepu converted four penalties however he missed several other attempts including the conversion points for the try, and Aaron Cruden put through a drop goal. The Wallabies score card read a James O’Connor penalty and a Quade Cooper drop goal. They just didn’t get close.
The All Blacks shut out the Australians in every way possible and now only one hurdle remains for the hosts.
In 1987 the might of New Zealand rallied behind their warriors at the same place which this Sunday’s final will be played, Eden Park, and against the same nation, France. The All Blacks thrashed the French 29-9 and in doing so would be crowned the inaugural Rugby World Cup champions.
In that game France paid greatly for their impressive effort against the Australians a week earlier. Could this year’s edition of the Rugby World Cup be more alike?
France will need to recharge their batteries after a tough and poignant performance last weekend but that big question mark will still be lingering as they walk onto the park – did they play their final a week early?
The final will be played on Sunday 23 October 2011. On the Friday before, Australia tackles Wales in the playoff for third-position.
The same weekend line-up as ’87.
2many1ndians
Roar Rookie
I told you my thoughts Cameron, had you forgotten? France v AB's final all the way were my exact words. You couldn't even get one of them right. Stick to AFL mate.
guinness14
Guest
Yes the RWC final was played last week, as I like to watch the Wallabies and the All Blacks battle it out. The friendly rivalry we have has continued for many years through sport. Rugby, Netball, Sailing, Horse Racing, just to name a few. As I am a passionate AB supporter, I feel for the dissappointment of the lose your young Wallabies have just experienced. It will make them even more dangerous for the future.
mace 22
Guest
I agree about the stare down that the wallabies wanted. If the all blacks had of stayed thier to see which one blinked first. It would have played into the wallaby hands,got thier juices flowing as it were. When the blacks just walked off you had a sense the wallabies didn't know what to do with themselves. just as a side bar I was hoping I'd actually get to watch a world cup final for once but no not to be. The first one in nz I was playing a game of league at the time. In those days union and league weren't the best of buddies. The 95 final we had a power cut ten m inutes into the game would you believe it. The rest all blacks weren't in it so didn't watch because I was still hurting. this time will be working 6a to 6p shift here in wa. Wife said take a sickie but I suffer from gout. So need all my sickies for when it really counts. People who suffer from gout will know what I mean.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Classic 2many1ndians. Thoughts on the games last week or this week?
2many1ndians
Roar Rookie
"I may have jinxed the Australians by saying that the Rugby World Cup is gearing as a 1987 replay" Nah, your article the other day predicting an Australia vs Wales final probably jinxed them, not the Southbank sudden change of heart. Anyway, goodluck for Friday night's curtain raiser of Sunday's main event.