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2011 Rugby World Cup Final: All Blacks 8, France 7. And there you have it – an unbeaten run and the moment we’ve been waiting for. Every heartbreaking quadrennial Rugby World Cup years since 1987, we have been longing to hear four simply beautiful words.
“How sweet it is!”
It finally arrived at approximately 2245hrs, 23rd October 2011 at fortress Eden Park. Job done, mission accomplished, leading to an unbelievably huge relief of an entire nation.
As the fulltime whistle blared, the excitement from the reserves bench reverberated around the country, celebrating in a great big huddle, whereas the players on the field rejoiced, turning to a team-mate nearest to them and hugged jubilantly.
Tough guy Brad Thorn erupted in tears, while in stark contrast the placidity of the usually calm, collected Richie McCaw could only collapse in wonderment and disbelief, trying to enliven the power of miracles.
Emotions were running high, the sheer triumph in savouring an incredible moment for the history-making All Blacks led by the most powerful connection in world rugby, a modern King Henry and his right-hand man, King Richard the Lionheart.
Wild scenes of joy and elation could be felt across the world, courtesy of, indeed, the stadium of four million.
So where do we begin? Besides the brilliant stand-off during the awesome Kapa O Pango, France should be commended for putting up a great fight to leave more than a night to remember.
The media were virtually on their backs all week leading to a rare rugby grand finale on any given Sunday, treating the French with massive contempt and expecting the All Blacks to just turn up with their headphones.
The All Blacks came out firing but it was immediately a deadly battle of war of attrition when both packs would barely give an inch.
The backlines hardly needed any revving up with tight defence the order of the day and most of the action going full-on in the ruck collisions, starved of attacking ball like flash cars sitting idly in the garage.
Dangerous players Cory Jane and Israel Dagg were kept in check, with Ma’a Nonu and Richard Kahui occasioning actual bodily harm with their countless thrusts.
Kieran Read was in ominous form, although Jerome Kaino will admit that it wasn’t one of his best games.
Piri Weepu must have believed the papers and t-shirt prints to the point where he cheekily decided to play with good ol’ Ronald MacDonald’s boots, hence missing crucial kicks he’d usually slot over.
Not to mention a lazy suicidal flick of the ball from the big-toe boot into the gleeful hands of Maxime Mermoz, resulting to his captain Thierry Dusautoir’s try against the run of play.
Credit where it’s due though, and France deserves to be applauded for the way they came out with the right attitude. Aurelien Rougerie at centre was also a handful, while veteran No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy certainly showed his vast experience in the trenches.
Although yours truly felt a bit of travesty when Dusautoir was voted as man-of-the-match.
McCaw could not have done any more than what he had contributed in this game, a phenomenal effort considering his ongoing foot problems, let alone the lack of fitness training.
Yet he was everywhere, scraping up the mess and typically made his usual presence felt at just about every ruck. Need I remind you that he was battered right from the word go.
The inspirational All Blacks skipper was also extraordinary during the semi-final against Australia the week before, when the master taught his students the art of perfecting the breakdown.
It was only befitting for the winning captain of the winning team to be recognised accordingly for his magnificent performances. There is not enough superlatives to describe the true mark of the man.
To understand the value of Richie McCaw’s contribution, he may not have wanted a bar of it but it would’ve been a nice gesture had the Franks brothers lifted their captain onto their burly shoulders.
Or perhaps fellow loose forwards Read and Kaino for a bit more height, and briefly parade him to the appreciative crowd.
Especially how he had done everything in his power to achieve a successful campaign since the humiliation of the 2007 tournament.
Great names and hall of famers that they are, Dave Gallaher, Wilson Whineray, George Nepia, Fred Allen, Graham Mourie, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Jones, Jonah Lomu, Sir Brian Lochore and the legend himself, Sir Colin Meads.
But Richie McCaw is all alone as the heir to the throne.
As far as I’m concerned – and despite the enormous talent of Daniel Carter – not only is McCaw the best All Blacks player ever, but the all-time greatest rugby player in history.
While continuing an exemplary career that is still going strong, the team harmony epitomises the reflection of the quality of McCaw’s temperament.
He typifies the importance of representing his country without a hint of arrogance, self-satisfaction, egotism, smugness and conceit, yet take extreme pride with his passionate actions on the field that his team-mates can only be privileged and honoured enough to follow.
That alone, is a true definition of an ultimate warrior.
To personify and illustrate his game with unparalleled accomplishments that probably will not be witnessed again for a very long time.
Take a bow Sir Richard Hugh McCaw.
PS: Congratulations to Martin Snedden and the NZRU for organising a wonderful Rugby World Cup. Well done. Many ex-pats would’ve been very proud and ecstatic to have been watching from abroad. Fantastic.
Sitting right here in the heart of Sydney, Australia, boy I can tell you it is great to be a New Zealander. Once were Kiwis, always will be.
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.