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All Black skipper Richie McCaw hoisted the William Webb Ellis trophy at Eden Park last night, but France played the better rugby in the heart-stopping 8-7 victory to the men-in-black.
In an extraordinary decider, the All Blacks ended a 24-year drought. The French made it three defeats in the final every 12 years, losing to the All Blacks in 1987, the Wallabies in 1999, and last night.
In seven RWC finals, the team leading at half-time has always won.
The All Blacks led 5-0 at the break last night, but there was a huge question mark over the end result until the final whistle.
To put the drought in perspective, All Black full-back Israel Dagg (23), lock Simon Whitelock (23), and fly-half Aaron Cruden (22) weren’t even born when David Kirk lifted the last All Black RWC in 1987.
This time the All Blacks required four number 10s to win, in a war of attrition.
The first three succumbed to tournament-ending knee injuries – Dan Carter, Colin Slade, and last night Cruden – leaving the final tick of the box to benchman Stephen Donald who last week was fishing in the Waikato River, believing his international career was done and dusted.
He landed the All Blacks only goal, after mainstay Piri Weepu missed all three. Francois Trinh-Duc landed France’s sole goal in four as well, with top kicker Morgan Parra another number 10 casualty last night with fractured cheekbones.
But nobody can deny the All Blacks their victory. They have been by far the best side in the world for the last four years, and weren’t beaten in RWC 2011.
France lost three – 37-17 to the All Blacks, with a shock 19-12 loss to Tonga in the Pool rounds, and last night.
But on the night, it was Les Bleus who shone. They came to play.
It was the French who spun the ball wide at every opportunity, and looked dangerous.
The best forward was 77-cap veteran No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy who dominated the lineouts and the mauls, closely followed by McCaw in the loose. Harinordoquy was more devastating than his skipper and man-of-the-match Thierry Dusautoir.
The best back was another Frenchman, outside centre Aurelian Rougerie with his 71st cap, always dangerous in attack with half-breaks and setting up supports. His defence was spot-on as well.
The scrum was won by France, despite being 49 kilos lighter – 850kg to 899kg.
However, the best coach was All Black Graham Henry. In probably his swansong after 103 games for 88 wins, Henry’s incredible 84.53% success rate with a home record of 48 wins from 51 – 94.12% speaks for itself.
Having said that, Henry didn’t send the potentially dangerous centre Sonny Bill Williams into battle until the 75th minute, and that was testing providence with Ma’a Nonu out on his feet – but Henry got away with it.
Where the All Blacks won it was their defence, led by the tireless McCaw. The hosts made 111 tackles to France’s 87, the result of France’s 55% territory, and 55% possession.
But the decider had momentum thanks to South African referee Craig Joubert. He kept his whistle in his pocket as he did in the Wales-Ireland quarter final, and allowed the game to flow. At long long last.
Sure Joubert made mistakes, but he made many more good decisions than bad. The first scrum wasn’t set until the 18th minute – an unheard of stat as he played the advantage law to advantage.
My lasting memory of the final was Sir Brian Lochore, All Black legend and coach of the successful 1987 campaign, with 10-year-old Ted Murray from earthquake devastated Christchurch in a Crusader jersey, bringing out the RWC for the presentation.
It sent shivers up the spine watching the massive Sir Brian, and the diminutive blond-haired Ted walking off with their arms around each other – three generations apart, but closely knit.
Moments like that in sport leave a warm feeling. It’s not all blood and guts.