PARIS – World Cups are funny things. Most nations run to a four-year cycle, planning things to the minute.
Yet here were the All Blacks, after all of those selection and strategy meetings, all of those miles of preparation into their legs, starting a World Cup with Dalton Papalii at 7, Tupou Vaa’i, a lock, at 6, and Brodie Retallick, apparently not considered for selection because of injury, on the bench.
All of the best laid plans of mice and men.
Not that it seemed to bother them, the first try coming crazy early, to Mark Telea off an old-school Beauden Barrett cross-kick.
That wasn’t the only throwback from Barrett, the All Blacks falling into the skittery, hot-potato play that marked the worst of their play in the Ian Foster era.
Barrett, to be fair, was also responsible for some of the All Blacks’ best play; a gutsy kick and catch, then an impressive chase back to save a dangerous situation, after a costly Ethan de Groot turnover.
It was an unhappy night for the big Southlander, twice earning Peyper’s displeasure at the scrum, and seeming to suffer as much as anyone from the stifling heat and humidity.
Melvyn Jaminet scores the final try. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
It was as if the All Blacks had determined to use the conditions to their advantage, endeavouring to shift the big French pack around, but it was high risk and the inevitable handling and discipline errors allowed France to settle.
Referee Jaco Peyper also pulled an old-school trick out of the bag, pinging France for a man in front at a kick-off; that one last ruled upon a couple of decades ago.
Into the second quarter, the All Blacks finally settled, playing for territory, with Barrett and Mounga ensuring the balance of play was in the French half. The half-breaks came, but so did some impatience, and the All Blacks would have been disappointed not to have converted at least one of them, and gone into the sheds ahead rather than 8-9 down.
That adventure was rewarded early in the second half, with a long-range effort finished off by Telea, running on to a wide pass from Rieko Ioane. Not in a mood to be lectured on the physics of “backwards out of the hand”, the 79,000 strong crowd didn’t like it, but the try stood.
As Mounga lined up for the conversion, the scoreboard read “respect the kicker”. They could have saved themselves the trouble. One thing the French fans bring is passion and unblinding support for their own team, no matter the facts of a situation.
That was as good as it would get for the All Blacks. Penaud dashed for the corner, but Mounga just did enough on the angle to worry him into an early dive and the chance was blown.
It didn’t matter, the French pushed on, kicking for the corner, and Jalibert opened up space for Penaud, this time, to finish cleanly.
A minute later, a poor challenge by Jordan on a kick chase, saw him sat down for ten, albeit the crowd made it clear Jordan deserved nothing less than the guillotine.
The thing about hometown support is that, on many occasions its something that’s implied rather than real. But here, with the All Blacks’ handling errors starting to bite and the sniff of blood in the water, the energy from within the stadium was palpable, and their men duly rode the wave.
By the time Jordan returned, 22-13 was a fair return for their second-half domination of territory, and there was no way for the visitors to arrest the momentum.
Antoine Dupont. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Ahead by more than a converted score, France also controlled the clock, despite the best efforts of Peyper to keep them honest. It’s something that will be an issue at this cup, sides wanting to play at a pace that suits them rather than at the pace the officials direct, but there seems little that can be done to change things.
And on such an oppressive night, who could blame any of the players for dropping a knee and replenishing with fluid?
With the match situation folorn, Barrett ran himself into trouble from the back and, on the turnover, a dinky kick sat up perfectly over the top of Mounga for Melvin Jaminet to snatch, roll and seal the match, 27-13.
There was time for one last All Black attack, but that too summed up their night; the French stronger in contact and Savea spilling the ball forward, as it was ripped out of his hands.
So, what does all this mean? The All Blacks started the last World Cup with a hiss and a roar and their vanquished opponent, South Africa, went on to win.
There is a sense that winning sides grow into the tournament, so in that respect, things are far from lost. For these two teams, it’s always been about the quarter-finals.
For New Zealand, important men were missing and in the – admittedly barren – plus column, Scott Barrett was immense.
France grew into the match beautifully, opting for width only once they had found the pace of the game and felt they had the All Blacks’ measure.
It’s nothing that hasn’t been known for a long time, but this looks and feels like a mature side, supremely confident in its all-round ability. There’s no question they can take it all the way, with the only rider being the weight of expectation that will be heaped upon them.
One thing that is certain, as was just witnessed at the Women’s Football World Cup, and with Japan’s stellar performances in 2019, is that the home side succeeding on the field is a sure-fire way to bring the home nation into the event.
This French win is the best thing for the World Cup; not just because that’s a convenient thing to say, but because it will hook the mainstream media in, and get everyone around the country on the bandwagon, knowing their side is a genuine contender.
Ticketing issues meant that I missed the opening ceremony. I did manage to hear some jets and catch a glimpse of a wispy red, white and blue vapour trail, but that’s all you get when classic French disdain for logic and problem-solving kicks in.
That’s ok, once you’ve seen Rihanna do Superbowl, a few words from Bill Beaumont doesn’t quite cut the mustard.
It was what Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt and their teammates had to say that really mattered.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Who does Nollidge play for??
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
As good a player as Blackadder is he is injury prone attributable to his smash ‘em style of play, admirable but short survival time.. Finau is a wiser choice but this is foster again..
Jacko
Roar Rookie
So what do you do then, when your team you say you support has a coach you don't support??? You hate on your team just to get st the coach. Ill never be like that.
Greco Dominicus
Roar Rookie
I think your confused. I don't support the All Blacks, I support the Springboks. This is not a partisan opinion, been watching New Zealand for 30 yrs and I value their contribution to World Rugby. Here's a prediction for you Robertson will be better than Foster guaranteed. Might not win every game but he'll be better by miles, you are the one who is going to say Foster built the team he succeeds with next year without acknowledging how much better the players are under Robertson but I digress.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Nollidge is not as important as imagination I imagine.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
The issue is not the crowd but their nollidge of the Laws. Regrettably the crowd most in need of edjamacation is in Hamilton.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
My thought as well Geoff. The AB vacuums were more crucial to AB cohesion than the other team, who seem to have something approaching Bok-level depth. Say what you like about Cane as a backrower, or even as a captain, but to reshuffle the chain of command so late is no small thing.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ One thing the French fans bring is passion and unblinding support for their own team, no matter the facts of a situation.” Geoff, this is an easy shot, but I think you’ve left your ribs exposed when you threw this pass. Eden Park, the large mammal section in Dunedin, or NRL-‘nuanced’ Aussie crowds could easily fit into that sentence.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep Jacko I’ll always be an AB supporter but not a supporter of a head coach that’s apparently not doing his job thoroughly overall. Remember one more loss, in these pool rounds, & thankfully that’ll be the end of his tenure, or even if we do get into the final series, that win or not, it definitely will be time to see him getting the flick!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Greco, you are a confused msn. Its no one's opinion that Foster is the coach thats fact. Another fact is I cannot change that. Another fact is he won't be changed before the end of the world cup. So I'm simply accepting those FACTS instead of letting it get to me like its got to you. Is France a garranteed 16 points better than the ABs if they meet again? Will SA win 35-7 if we meet them again? The simple answer is you have no idea. Yep I still believe NZ CAN win the cup. If they don't I will then start believing Razor will improve the team next year, but what if he doesn't instantly get results? Do you then bag him and the team out for another 4 years? If results are what makes you an AB fan then you are nothing but a fair weather fan. Jumping on the bandwagon when times are good and changing to the next bandwagon when it gets a bit tough. I will have a pleasant day and that won't depend on whether my team won overnight or not. I'm an ABs life fan not just when they have the best coach in the world or not. Coaches come and go. Players come and go, and they all know the team remains well after they have gone.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Came here for the Monday Wrap and discovered this article 'way below the line. I obviously missed it even though I've checked The Roar many times over the course of the weekend. Weird, which planet are we all on, I'd have expected this analysis as a lead in place of one of the samey samey items. In belated comment, I concur: French excellence exposes All Black fragility. Blackadder is now on the plane to Paris. He should make a difference.
Greco Dominicus
Roar Rookie
Jacko you are entitled to your opinion as am I but I think the mistake you are making is to imply the All Blacks downward trend is unrelated to the coaching choice the All Blacks made. The Crusaders also thought Deans was just a coach, then he left and they waited a decade for another Super Rugby title. Fans like you thought anyone could be an effective All Black coach because Henry and Hansen were effective. Foster has just proven you wrong. The All Blacks will be immediately better under Robertson gradually at 1st and then better long term. It's like how the Springboks had potential under Coetzee and improved leaps and bounds under Erasmus. Yes rugby is just a game, most projects you undertake in life are not life and death but that does not mean mediocrity born of carelessness is okay. The All Blacks have lost their last 2 matches by an average of 20 points, has that ever happened in history? France has won their last two matches against the All Blacks by an average of 15 points. Do you really think France is 15 points better than the All Blacks or maybe just maybe they are lacking in leadership. Have a pleasant day.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
He isn’t SOLELY responsible. There are a number of contributing factors here. France and Ireland having their best ever teams has nothing to do with Argentina beating New Zealand though. The fact two particular NH teams are in ascendancy while NZ is in decline just make the gap look larger and more ‘sudden’.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Im hoping they play Talea as often as possible. Its about time someone set a new try scoring record at a WC and he's got 2 against a strong team.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
They are favourites.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
JJ I never once saw an AB not trying hard. I dont expect any more than that and if they lose when giving their best effort so be it. Best performance is very different to best effort.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I thought ALB was good and agree it dropped a bit when Havili came on but the match situation also changed a bit. For me I was annoyed the ABs kept kicking the ball back when we needed to be the next to score. I felt the wide opportunities wernt taken and the handling let them down too.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Paul you cant win everything if the players arnt world best in some positions and very good in the rest. Many here say the current crop arnt the best but they still expect the team to win as tho they are the best. I have said for a long time the WC has come a couple of years too early for NZ.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I saw many calls to replace Foster Geoff. Imagine that LOL.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
west you are spot on. It appears non ABs supporters are all frothy that the ABs may be on a downward turn. Its happened before and will happen again. Such is life. I havnt ruled out an ABs win. Im not expecting them to win but Im expecting them to go into any match with the possibility they will win. Cant help it if they arnt good enough.