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We didn’t choke. But certainly gagged a little. And for the New Zealand All Blacks, it came down to a single point that separated our highly anticipated world championship from another ghastly four years in rugby wilderness.
Thankfully for 30 All Blacks plus 4.2million Kiwis, that single digit fell on the host nation’s side of the ledger.
The lowest scoring and smallest margin grand final in RWC history, every ounce of All Blacks might and willpower was spent repelling a valiant French XV that very nearly pulled off the ‘mission impossible.’
French Captain Thierry Dusautoir was epic. As the arrowhead of France’ formation in response to the All Blacks cut-throat haka, his impenetrable defense inspired 14 countrymen to answer every question asked of them.
Except one, a lineout breach on the 15th minute that led to the All Blacks solo try; Tony Woodcock the surprise finisher of a meticulously planned attacking lineout – a surprise in so far as the French were concerned, and most definitely the bookmakers.
Dusautoir’s nemesis Richie McCaw was equally inspiring. By the 70th minute New Zealand’s captain had run himself into the ground, seemingly held together only by tape and bandages.
Raw courage and dogged determination saw him through the remaining minutes. His departure unthinkable with this life-defining match in the balance.
And remarkably, for some 56-minutes of this grand encounter, McCaw’s burden was shared by the most unlikely suspect, fourth string first-five Stephen Donald. Donald’s call-up came when Aaron Cruden hyper-extended his knee in the most awkward of movements.
It was a cruel blow for Manawatu’s little man, the third member of Carter’s cursed No. 10 club in as many weeks.
So Donald was thrown into the fiery furnace in Cruden’s undersized jersey riding routinely up to his bellybutton. If Donald was surprised to take the field, he was doubly surprised to be lining up the crucial penalty goal. And that’s because the usually calm and collected Piri Weepu was unraveling by the minute, having squandered three penalty attempts and a conversion.
Meaning the hopes of the nation rested squarely on Donald’s shoulders. By his own admission, he hadn’t kicked a goal for at least six weeks. It hardly mattered because his kick was flawless. And so was his 56-minutes.
Weepu’s wayward boot was also the offending party for the freakish French try.
His flippant fly-kick found its way into French arms, unleashing a miniature French revival akin to that of 99 and 07.
The outcome? That man Dusautoir scoring at the base of the posts – the host nation aghast. Francois Trinh-Duc added value with the conversion to bring the French within a whisker of the All Blacks lead, 7-8.
Weepu’s woes compounded with an overcooked kickoff that afforded the French a scrum restart with options left and right. Graham Henry reacted immediately, replacing Weepu with Andy Ellis to see out 25 nail-biting minutes till fulltime.
What a horrendous final quarter, 4.2million New Zealanders forced to endure a Francois Trinh-Duc penalty attempt that was willed away from the posts to preserve their First XV’s one-point lead. Either that or Trinh-Duc buckled under the pressure. Likely the latter.
Not to be perturbed, the French kept coming hard and fast. Wave after wave was met with staunch All Black resistance, which had clearly defaulted to defense-mode to see the match out.
And so they did. Eight All Black forwards plus the watchful eye of Conrad Smith sealed the ball in their innermost parts to suffocate time with only seconds remaining. The tactic forced an inevitable French infringement. Referee Joubert awarded the penalty, making the final act in clearing to touch a mere formality.
Triumphant embrace and jubilant cheers rang out from the players and into the stands. 20 years of Rugby World Cup baroness and bitter defeats appeased in that piercing blow of the fulltime whistle.
Said victorious coach Graham Henry immediately afterwards:
“This is something we’ve dreamed of for a while. We can rest in peace now. I’ve just got so much respect for what the boys have done over eight years. It’s been outstanding.”
Dreamed of for a while? Make that 24 years Graham. It is the fulfillment of the fantasy for the coach, the captain, the players and an immensely proud rugby nation.
And yes – peace and tranquility – for at least the next four years anyway.
For this grand finale, victory didn’t come by our poster boys like Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Richard Kahui. But who cares.
Winning ugly has never felt so good!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.