New Zealand pip France to win rugby World Cup

All Blacks end 24-year jinx, coach credits team’s resolve.


Afp October 23, 2011

AUCKLAND: New Zealand lived up to their world number one ranking as they held off a stern challenge from France to win the World Cup final 8-7 at Eden Park and spark a national outpouring of joy mixed with relief.

Not since 1987, when New Zealand beat France 29-9 in the inaugural final (also at Eden Park) had the All Blacks been able to call themselves world champions.

But they were pushed to the limit by a France team derided by many pundits as the worst side to have ever made it to the tournament’s climax.

The All Blacks carved out an 8-0 lead after 46 minutes, but were tottering when the French hit back with a converted try by man-of-the-match Thierry Dusautoir moments later to set up a gripping last 33 minutes.

But the All Blacks dug deep and held out the French, who had a 48-metre shot at a potentially match-winning penalty from Francois Trinh-Duc with 15 minutes left only for the replacement fly-half’s kick to sail well wide of the posts.

‘Grit and discipline were key factors’

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said his team’s grit and discipline were the reasons why they were able to end New Zealand’s 24 years of World Cup heartache.

“This team has been ranked number one in the world for a long time and it was great that they were able to hang in there and do the business under pressure,” said Henry.

“We had to play a situation that was unexpected and the French played really well and held on to the ball. The ability to hang in there and get the job done was probably something we couldn’t have done two or three years ago.”

Dusautoir left disappointed

France captain Dusautoir said luck had finally deserted his side. “We rode our luck as much as we could, but we failed by one point,” the blindside flanker said.

“It’s a moment we’ll remember all our lives. It’s a nice story, which would have been a lot better if it had been capped with victory.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2011.

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