Rugby needs change in attitudes, not laws
Much debate since the end of the World Cup has centred around the tight nature of the key games and how to encourage teams to strive for tries. This is in response to the fact that one of the finalists, England, managed to cross the whitewash only once in their 3 knockout matches, and to the prominence of the kicking game among all four semi-finalists.
Forget that the latter stages saw a return to rugby’s roots as international rugby rediscovered the passion and titanic physicality which has been lacking for some years. We want tries, plenty of them; set pieces which just get the game going again; breakdowns which form merely the quickest punctuation mark among the breakneck speed of a game loaded towards attack.
Sport is at its best when there is an even battle in progress. A balance between bat and ball is preferable to a 10 runs an over batting fest in cricket; server and returner going head to head in tennis is more compelling than a torrent of aces; golfers having to fight for every inch makes for more edifying viewing than persistent 63s and 64s on a course that does not provide a test. There is something irresistible about the clash of defence and attack in rugby where a match can be turned by a moment of magical attacking flair or an heroic defensive hit. The winning of a tight game by a well-earned piece of team or individual brilliance, or even just sheer blood and guts; it is surely towards this that all those with rugby’s best interests at heart must be working.
Criticism has centred on the approach of teams in the latter stages of the tournament. But in the crucial games, teams make fewer errors as they take fewer risks, therefore fewer tries are scored. This is human nature and a fact of many sports – how often does the football World Cup, or the FA Cup serve up a rubbish final? Regularly. This is because stifling pressure breeds caution, but nobody calls for a change in the rules. Brazil often play the best football, but they do not demand an overhaul when they get knocked out.
The game of rugby, as with many sports, goes in cycles. Sometimes defence rules over attack, sometimes attack over defence; the same applies to football, or to bat and ball in cricket. At the moment defences are on top in rugby. As shown in the key knockout matches, games were decided by 3 things; the kicking battle, the lineout area and the error count. South Africa won all of these convincingly in the final. The lineout has always been important but the centrality of the other two areas to the outcome of a game has grown even further. This was clear in the tactics of the most successful teams.
The most striking tactical development in the World Cup was the fact that territory has usurped possession as the most important currency. Teams feared opposition goalkickers, and trusted their own defences to such an extent that they were prepared to let the opposition have the ball as long as it was not in a dangerous area. They feared that if they ran from deep they would get isolated, concede a penalty and inevitably, 3 points. They also trusted their defences to harass their opponents into errors upon which they could capitalise. South Africa carried out this formula with more efficiency than anyone else and took home the trophy. Their peerless kicking game set up position for Montgomery to slot the penalties. Matfield reigned supreme at the lineout and they punished errors ruthlessly.
South Africa’s formula was the same as England’s, and to an extent to all the leading nations. We focus upon the supposed lack of ambition of the Northern Hemisphere teams but in terms of creating opportunities through imaginative use of primary possession, their Southern counterparts are not much better. The difference between the likes of South Africa and New Zealand compared to England and Laporte’s France is their attitude when they succeed in harrying their opponents into errors. When England turn over opposition ball, they regard it as relief and kick the ball to safety. South Africa and New Zealand regard it as opportunity. Back in 2005, it was found that in the Tri Nations and the Lions tour combined, over half of New Zealand’s tries came when the other team had won primary possession. In their World Cup matches against really major opponents (only England and Argentina in truth), South Africa scored 7 tries, all of which came from opposition errors.
The tries which New Zealand and South Africa score on the counter attack are wonderful to watch and bring pleasure because they have been truly earned by, if you’ll excuse the Americanism, offensive defence. Skill levels among the backs of Australia and New Zealand are clearly superior to England’s but it is not really the paucity of their back play which leads the English to struggle to cross the whitewash. It is their attitude when they earn the most dangerous attacking weapon in the game – turnover ball.
Evidence of this attitude has been laid bare by Lawrence Dallaglio’s comments on Brian Ashton in his autobiography. Without getting into the rights and wrongs of whether he should have made the comments at all, there was one statement which stood out as worrying for England rugby supporters, and enlightening for all those disappointed by their lack of ambition in attack. Ashton has a reputation for empowering the players to think for themselves. Dallaglio countered that players did not know what they were supposed to be doing and like to be told what their gameplan is and precisely how they are supposed to play.
Now it is true that a side needs a structure and a strategy but the implication of Dallaglio’s comments is that there was no appetite among the players to take up the challenge thrown down by Ashton. Mike Catt commented that before the South Africa pool match, England had no back moves because Ashton had not told them any. Sorry Mike, but how many caps have you got? One would have hoped that somewhere down the line you might have picked up a few little backs moves to use.
This is symptomatic of the fact that there is an absence of vision in English rugby, of players thinking for themselves. Bernard Laporte also attempted to crush original thinking among his French side who ended up as turgid as anyone during the tournament. This inability to play ‘heads-up’ rugby manifested itself most clearly on turnover ball when it is so important for players to play what is in front of them. What needs to change then is that coaches must encourage players (who must in turn be willing) to think for themselves, play what they see in front of them and be eager to grasp any opportunity that presents itself. They must then commit 100% to that attack with support players pouring through as the All Blacks do. Once England and France rediscover the ability to do this then the way they play the game will be no different to South Africa and New Zealand. It is a change in mindset then, not laws which will help to unlock the defensive stranglehold.
The way the current laws are interpreted and applied is also a matter for discussion. Regularly we see defenders flopping over the tackled player with no real intention of stealing the ball. Instead they are searching for the penalty and very often they succeed. This enables defences to string out across the pitch and reorganise because they know that it only takes one defender to force the turnover or to slow possession down. Space is then reduced for the attacking side. Stricter application of the current laws at the breakdown would be desirable, including ensuring that a defender attempting a turnover is supporting his own weight rather than leaning on the prostrate attacker. But that does not necessarily constitute a wholesale change to rugby as a sport.
Not so long ago many were complaining that the Super 14 (then the Super 12) was akin to basketball. Games were settled by inept defences who leaked 7 tries but only managed to score 6. Tries were not scored through attacking brilliance, but because it was almost harder not to score them than to score them. Changing the laws to loosen the game up is attempting to create tries for the sake of tries. The onus should be on players and coaches to try to find ways of penetrating strong defences from all phases of the game. Defences are so disciplined now at the highest level that even penalty goals are beginning to dry up (scorelines of 28-21 have been replaced by 15-6, despite the improvement in goalkicking). Teams will have to strive to score tries again and the ball is very much in the court of attacking coaches. But let them figure it out for themselves instead of changing the game until it is unrecognisable as the ultimate physical team sport.
There are many ways to play the game and teams should not necessarily be penalised for playing to their strengths. Rugby is a multidimensional game which incorporates so many contrasting and complimentary aspects and the moment the laws are changed to provide a prescriptive way of playing is the moment the game loses much of what makes it so great. Please do not let the game compromise itself in order to compete with other sports. If people do not like rugby, let them watch football, do not change rugby to suit them.
By Stuart Peel
Jumping on the rugby bandwagon - Mrs Jonny’s diary
England’s roller coaster ride at the World Cup will prompt thousands of budding rugby players, men and women alike, to buy shiny new boots, don their scrum caps and get involved.
Here on The Rugby Blog, we will be following the exploits of one such lady that has dived head first into the mud without a second thought. She prefers to remain anonymous, so we shall just call her Mrs Jonny.
Here is the first hilarious edition of Mrs Jonny’s diary.
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As my friends and I nursed our post-world cup final headaches (it wasn’t just Jonny ‘Old Soak’ Wilkinson drowning his sorrows that night), we headed to the park for a little kickabout. Somewhere between the post-party banter, the was it / wasn’t it a try discussions and our mid-morning coffee, I somehow convinced myself, and everyone else, that now - after 28 years and zero experience - was the time for me to learn rugby.
I’m not sure exactly where this sudden urge has come from. I suspect it’s a mix of post-world cup bravado and curiosity, a little feminist why-should-the-boys-have-all-the-fun voice in my head, and the desire to do some winter sport that doesn’t involve poncing about in a gym. Plus plain old stupidity.
To put this in context, (starting with the most obvious), I’m a girl. I had never - until two weeks ago - kicked or passed a rugby ball. I play a little hockey, but have never been that big on team sports (I’m too grumpy and intolerant). I’m not unhealthy, but I’m not exactly at the peak of my fitness either. And, most worryingly for me, while I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as ‘dainty’, I’m hardly one of the scary beefcakes one normally associates with ladies rugby.
And so it was, with some trepidation, that I attended my first training session last night. My boyfriend (who is genuinely concerned for my safety / sanity / femininity) took me to the park last weekend to check I could handle the difficult concept of holding a ball and running with it, but otherwise I had no experience and no idea what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised. The 20 or so other girls there were very friendly and mainly wholesome, outdoorsy types with thick west-country accents and rosy cheeks. I was by no means the smallest or the largest person there. The coach - a gruff ex-military man who clearly loves his little team - made sure the new arrivals (I was one of three!) got stuck in. We spent a couple of hours doing exercises (but no tackling practise, thank god) and - that ubiquitous sports training regime - running through cones.
The most terrifying moment came towards the end of the session when we practised a set piece. The forwards (who apparently don’t seem to mind being described as ‘warthogs’) did a line-out. The scrum half - a gobby little pipsqueak who I bet really pisses off the opposition - picked it up and then passed it along the line of backs until it reached yours truly who was on the far wing.
I knew I then had to run forwards and “dive” to the ground as if I’d been tackled, but what I didn’t realise is that this was so the rest of the team could practise a maul (or is it a ruck?). With me at the bottom. Anyway, from my vast telly-watching experience, I remembered that you can’t keep your hands on the ball once you’re on the ground so, thank god, I let go. By this time, the other 14 girls on the pitch were all charging towards me and pipsqueak was shouting her head off. I was just lying on the ground screaming, at which point the coach came running over, swivelled me round 90 degrees in the mud so everyone else could clamber over me and instructed me to put my hands over my head ‘for protection’. No sh*t!
But I survived, tired and exhilarated, and I’ll be back next week. In the meantime, the team is looking forward to (hopefully) winning its first match of the season this weekend, and the coach is thrilled that the three new players all drink. Perhaps this is my kind of game…
Send Dallaglio into retirement
Lawrence Dallaglio has made a right mess of things by criticising Brian Ashton in order to sell copies of his book.
Make no mistake, I’m his biggest fan, but vent your frustrations by sending him into retirement with this ridiculous game, and post your score underneath. It’s all about timing!
South Africa’s victory fails to obscure English dominance
Stuart Peel argues the controversial notion that England have been the best team in the world for the last twenty years - no doubt you will have some views on this, so make sure you leave your comments or start a thread in the new Forum.
South Africa’s victory in the World Cup final may have been well-deserved, but it failed to mask a fact which is inescapable in the rugby world. Although they were pipped at the post in the final, England’s position as the dominant force in world rugby remains indisputable and the controversial way in which they were beaten in the final has cast a shadow over an otherwise magnificent tournament. Their defeat does not hide the question of whether England’s continuing untouched position at the top of the game is really good for the sport.
Cast your mind back through past World Cups. That England have only one Webb Ellis trophy to their name is a combination of bad luck, outrageous decisions and, at times, nothing short of conspiracy on the part of their rivals. Yet they have ruled the roost for 15 to 20 years. The facts speak for themselves. England were not strong in 1987 but the inaugural tournament was little more than a tin-pot competition played in a rugby backwater. Indeed, I side with the many who believe that the 1987 should be expunged from the record books altogether.
In 1991, David Campese’s criminal deliberate knock-on denied England a try at a time in the final when it was clear that if they could score one, then the floodgates would open and they would win by 50 or 60 points. In 1995, New Zealand somehow got away with producing the world’s first, and to date only genetically modified rugby player. Rugby’s steroid inspectors had failed to find evidence that the New Zealand were undertaking a sustained, centrally controlled programme of enriching rugby players until it was too late, and poor Mike Catt had been trampled several feet beneath the Cape Town turf. South Africa then managed to overcome the Kiwis by arming their centres with tranquiliser guns to bring down Lomu and poisoning the rest of the team just to be sure. However it was the memory of the staggering injustice against Queen Elizabeth’s boys which lingered from that tournament.
In 1999, England were somewhat weaker than usual and were undone when Jannie De Beer hit a lucky streak and started banging drop goals over from everywhere. But England, enhancing their reputation as the most fast-thinking, adaptable rugby nation, simply returned four years later better at drop goals, and every other aspect of the game, than any of their rivals. England were so clearly the best team in 2003 that playing the tournament seemed almost cruel to other aspiring countries, but little did we know that a dastardly plan was being hatched in the Southern Hemisphere.
Suspicions were first aroused when referee Andre Watson was seen shortly before the final pulling a truly enormous brown envelope on a trailer (it was too big to carry), packed with thousands of Aussie dollars (totalling at least £150 sterling, or 20 million Rand). These doubts were confirmed when England’s front row was penalised repeatedly for bullying and being too rough, an admirable stance in a primary school playground, but less welcome in the uncompromising world of a World Cup final. As we all know, the plan failed and England deservedly won their first, scandalously overdue trophy. But four years later, it came back to haunt them. Australia were grateful for Watson’s efforts and their very own Stuart Dickinson was duly installed as video referee for the 2007 final. After 44 minutes, his moment came. Cueto scored in the corner with at least a foot to spare and Dickinson inexplicably disallowed the try. A clearly doctored picture was then released to support the decision but nobody was fooled.
So the trophy cabinet is bare again and the machinations of jealous rivals have worked once more. But the truth of England’s dominance is not obscured. Their approach to the recent tournament almost strayed into arrogance and they should be wary of complacency. They won the 2003 World Cup after thrashing everyone in sight for months, nay years, beforehand. They then decided it was sporting to give as many people as possible the chance to play for the World Champions, capping hundreds of players over the four year period. Entering the 2007 tournament without bothering with preparation (why would they), they scratched around early and had their gullible rivals believing they were diminished. Their appearance in the final though, was inevitable.
We live in an era when many sports are dominated by one exceptional individual or team. Tiger Woods and Roger Federer are the names that spring to mind here. In truth Woods’ dominance has waned at times in the past decade and he now only holds one of the four majors. Federer is therefore probably the most apt comparison with England’s rugby team. His run of championships is more impressive but in individual sports, sabotaging a rival is more difficult as it is rather more obvious, such as when ice skater Tonya Harding persuaded her lunatic of a husband to kneecap her main rival with a cro-bar. Some of the attempts to stop England achieving their birthright of winning the World Cup over the years have not fallen far short of this, they have just been marginally more subtle.
The alleged competitiveness of the rugby world is merely an illusion which no one with a broad understanding of the game believes. It could be argued that the efforts to prevent England winning 5 World Cups in a row, which they surely would have done, are good for the game as spectators continue to flock through the turnstyles expecting a contest. The truth is far more sinister though and, while it may turn supporters off, should be broadcast to the public. The Webb Ellis trophy is tainted and the joy of anyone who holds it other than England must know that they do not truly deserve it. We don’t begrudge the minnows the odd upset, such as when New Zealand won the first tournament (even though it did not really count), but at the business end of the competition dirty tactics have no place in rugby. All of us who love the game then, must salute England and admire their sustained and unsurpassed excellence in the field of rugby union.
New discussion forum on The Rugby Blog
The Rugby Blog has launched a new discussion forum where rugby fans can share opinions, start their own debates and interact with each other.
Every Friday, we’ll start a ‘Friday Debate’ so check back for the topic of the week and feel free to start your own threads.
Just the tonic for post-World Cup blues
Rob Douglas lifts the mood, previewing some of the action coming up, and you can follow it all here on The Rugby Blog.
The Aftermath: Has anyone else got a hollow, empty feeling inside them at the moment, almost like a distant family member has passed away? Am I the only one who feels that life has just got a little more dreary, less focused and slightly jaded? Work seems less fulfilling than ever, it seems there’s nothing much to do or talk about and there’s nothing to look forward to over the dark winter months. Oh, and the clocks are being put back: mega.
Blog to the rescue: But no, there is hope. Rugby fans, pick up your pint glasses, they are indeed half full. Now that the burden of being world champions is behind us, our players can go back to expressing their talents unhindered and light up the domestic season, now alongside many mercenary Southern Hemisphere cousins.
Upcoming highlights: Fear not, the tonic to sooth post-world cup depression comes in many guises. Jonny Hobbs has been keeping us up to date with the comparative trivialities of the Premiership (go on the Quins, cracking start), and there is now a 3-week sabbatical before the resumption of that competition as cup rugby takes centre stage again.
The EDF Energy Cup kicks off today, giving English clubs the chance to add further misery to Wales’s world cup blues. Wasps have made a diabolical start to the season, but as the club with the most amount of players absent on world cup duties, contributing to four national sides, they should see an upsurge in form following their return. They will need to, because the favourites for pool A in this cup will be their old rivals Gloucester, who in contrast have been impressive at the start of the season, with a wealth of new talent from the summer signings boosting an already strong squad.
There will be no love lost in Pool B as Bath, Leicester and Sale go head to head. The Mighty Quins will undoubtedly dominate Pool C, though the Ospreys may prove a tough test, and Llanelli are likely to be the pick from the relatively weak Pool D.
The Heineken Cup picks up where the EDF Energy leaves off in a fortnight’s time. After all the shenanigans and political wrangling surrounding this outstanding competition in the summer it is now back on track, better than ever and guaranteed to provide some fireworks. International players have a chance to make up for disappointing world cups (they know who they are), capitalise on success (swing low) and re-live bitter rivalries in what is considered to be the closest thing to Test match conditions away from the national sides. Ulster begin proceedings at Ravenhill against Gloucester on Friday 9 November, while at the same time the Dragons travel to the Perpignan hotbed for a stern away test.
Pool 6 is probably the pick of the groups, featuring Edinburgh, Leicester, Leinster and Toulouse, but Pool 5 won’t be far behind for competitiveness and Wasps will not surrender their crown easily. The 13th Heineken Cup final returns to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on the weekend of 24 / 25 May 2008: the smart money’s on Quins.
Internationals aren’t too far away either so the rugby fiesta didn’t by any means stop in Paris last weekend. Twickers welcomes newly crowned world champs on 1st December to face the Baa-baas in what is supposed to be Jason Robinson’s swansong, so here’s wishing the big guy a speedy recovery.
Furthermore, we only have to wait till the first weekend in February for the resumption of 6 Nations hostilities. First up sees Ireland and Italy attempt to get back on track at Croke Park after their world cup debacles, followed immediately by England-Wales at HQ. It’s a shorter wait than being an Argentine rugby fan in any case – they need to be included in the Tri-Nations, I don’t care what anyone says!
So basically, lets all drag our chins off the floor, re-locate our club colours and empty wallets and get back to doing what we know best. Finally, a brief tribute to Stuart Abbot, who was forced into early retirement this week due to an ongoing shoulder injury, at the age of only 29. South African-born, he has been a stalwart of the English club game for a number of years, mainly at Wasps and latterly at the Mighty Quins. A player who never seemed to realise his full potential and had persistent bad luck with injuries, he was nevertheless a world cup winner in 2003 and has numerous domestic honours to his credit. You’ll be missed Stuart, and Quins’ success this year is already dedicated to your fine self.
Post-World Cup coaching merry go round
Rob Andrew refused to confirm the extension of Brian Ashton’s contract as England coach, whilst Australia, Wales, Argentina and probably New Zealand are all on the lookout for a new man at the helm.
Jake White may or may not remain as South Africa’s coach, and by this time next week, there could be a plethora of talent available.
Those on the job hunt could include Brian Ashton, Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Jake White, Eddie Jones and John Connolly, with others such as Warren Gatland, Dean Richards, Robbie Deans and Sir Clive potentially throwing their hats in the ring.
The Rugby Blog’s poll as to whether Brian Ashton should lose his job - it ran from after the South Africa game until the quarter final with Australia - suggested that the majority thought he should go, but he now seems to be back in favour.
Which coaches would you like to see where? Should Brian Ashton stay? Will Graham Henry be given another 4 years?
Mark Waite wins prediction league double
Not only has Mark Waite scooped first prize in The Rugby Blog RWC Prediction League, but he’s also gone and won the whole thing with a huge 190 points.
Mark, congratulations and drop me a line - you’ve won a T-shirt from Front Up.
Check your final score here.
Rugby World Cup Dream Team
Here’s my team of the World Cup - let me know what you think.
One or two controversial selections, but the wealth of talent on show meant there was always going to be disappointment for those that missed out.
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
First name on the teamsheet, primarily because I started at the top, but also because he’s now the most-feared scrummager in World Rugby.
2. John Smit (South Africa)
The World Cup-winning captain led his team with pride and courage, and I would have liked to have seen Thabo Mbeki hoisting the big hooker onto his shoulders, rather than the other way around.
3. Census Johnston (Samoa)
Gave the Samoan pack its teeth. Several teams of the tournament have selected Carl Hayman, but surely only on reputation rather than impact at this World Cup.
4. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
The best lineout forward in the world, and made a big contribution in the loose. Was responsible almost single-handedly for dominating England at the set-piece.
5. Simon Shaw (England)
Powerful tight game and prolific loose game. A revelation for England in this World Cup, and helped give Sheridan the necessary shove to destroy Australia.
6. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Despite wearing the number 7 shirt, he was far and away the best blindside in the tournament. Marshalled South Africa’s defence in the final, and regularly contributed to their score throughout the competition.
7. Thierry Dusatoir (France)
A star of the French victory over the All Blacks, Dusatoir emerged as an outstanding openside, winning the battle of the breakdown with Richie McCaw.
8. Finau Maka (Tonga)
Spearheaded Tonga’s famous victory over Samoa, and almost carried them through to the knockout stages. Big guns, big hair, big game player.
9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
Now widely regarded as the best scrum-half in the world, and deserved to lift the trophy. His tactical nous took some of the pressure away from Butch James.
10. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
My player of the tournament, without question. Executed the Pumas’ gameplan expertly, dropping the ball onto a sixpence whenever required.
11. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
The record-equalling try-scorer had a great World Cup. Several of his tries required a lot of finishing, and luckily he’s now on the same dream team as Takudzwa Ngwenya.
12. Luke McAlister (New Zealand)
The only kiwi representative, but deserves his place. Always looked dangerous with ball in hand, and some might say he was unlucky to be sin-binned against France!
13. Stirling Mortlock (Australia)
Looked a class act throughout with hard, direct running and nearly rescued his team despite the watching forwards crumbling around him.
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA)
Bryan Habana couldn’t get near him, and makes this team for that searing break alone. He lit up the World Cup, and will be dining out on it for years to come.
15. Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
Percy epitomised calmness under pressure in the final, slotting four penalties for the winners, and standing firm at the back.
One Night in Paris
I love South Africa. It is a diseased country (literally as well as metaphorically), and I pray not terminally, but there is no other nation where sport has the ability to transcend all other social problems so congratulations to them on this famous and deserved victory.
I love the country, the climate, the culture (basically braiis and rugby), the people (well, mainly the girls) and I love their passion. For all these reasons I do not begrudge their win in the slightest.
From a supporter’s perspective, I am immensely proud of the English team and of the huge contribution they made to a fierce, uncompromising contest and I am equally delighted to have been there and help the English win the fans’ battle by a distance. There was a universal feeling of heartache at chances missed and an opportunity lost, but I did not witness any vitriol directed at any of the officials, no depression and no regret. Our island race has its faults, but self-pity is not one of them, and the party afterwards was no less raucous because of the result.
Kiwis take note, points and composure win big matches, not refereeing decisions. You can keep your whinging, we’ll simply applaud our boys for overachieving, which I realise must be an unfamiliar concept for rugby-lovers of the silver fern persuasion.
The weekend began with a phenomenal Friday afternoon of ESPN Classic re-runs, including the inside story from the road to world cup glory 2003 and the best of the world cup. Hours of non-stop goosebumps and spellbound viewing set the tone and raised impatience levels. However, it was a good 24 hours later when first hitting the bars around the Bastille that any sign of real world cup fever was evident, although the ferry over was a sea of white shirts and a good number of cars were sporting the Cross of St George.
It was typically French to organise the transport strike for this weekend - good lads - but when I asked the taximan if the chaos on the roads was because of the final/strike/Saturday afternoon he replied it was like that everyday in Paris. Absolute carnage. Getting to the ground via Metro and RER wasn’t as hard as it might have been and the banter on the packed trains helped build the atmosphere. It was also good to see the variety of national shirts being sported by optimistic fans who had retained their tickets anyway.
It is also typically French to construct a brilliant stadium with so many basic design faults. Firstly location, in what is essentially an industrial swamp meaning the walk to the ground is funnelled by grumpy chat-deficient Gendarme down a ridiculously thin passage next to a main road, which bottlenecks horribly at the subway entrances,
Then there is the toilet issue within the ground. It must be the only place in the world where women can answer their calls of nature quicker than the lads, although the absurd lack of urinals does mean you can opt for the more efficient method waz and hand-wash at the same time!
Last stadium issue that slightly disappointed me was actually the acoustics, as despite the fantastic spectacle and sweeping stands, the singing never really rumbles around the place like it can at HQ, and as a sporting coliseum it comes nowhere near matching its predecessor the Parc des Princes for sheer noise by all accounts.
Having said that, it was a privilege to have been there, and I was captivated by every second of the game. There has probably been enough written about the match and every facet analysed to death. The was it/wasn’t it a try was a seminal moment and undoubtedly would have altered the game’s dynamic. The debate will continue as Mark Cueto claims he is 100% confident he scored, whilst Stuart Dickinson is equally happy with his decision, which still photographs hazily seem to back up. My interpretation and I think that of every other pair of eyes in the stadium was that it was a try and when the agonising wait ended in frustration I was stunned as these decisions have generally tended to go the attacking side’s way in moments of doubt.
Regardless, the South Africans won this match for the right reasons. They were clinical, their kicking was near flawless, their lineout was actually flawless and they played error-free final-winning rugby. We might have provided more of the wide stuff, but we didn’t have a game-breaker.
The one we did possess at the back ended his career in a hugely sad way, his aging body now broken twice by the merciless Springboks. There is not a genuine rugby fan worldwide of either code who hasn’t appreciated Jason’s genius over the years: all hail Billy Whizz. In fact, the nearest I have been to seeing any real aggro at a rugby match (off the pitch) was when a Bok fan got slightly impatient at the Englishman in front of him saluting Robo’s limping heroics as play went on, and was swiftly silenced by a torrent of abuse and accusations of lacking respect.
It is a mystery to me why Jonny didn’t take more shots at the drop-goal from numerous great field positions, surely the costly early miss didn’t dent the great man’s confidence? Overall though, neither side left anything on the pitch less for an Herculean amount of sweat and a fair bit of claret.
As ever, the stats don’t come close to telling the story but the simple truth is, South Africa 2 finals, 2 wins, England 1 from 3. In two games we scored 6 points, they put 51 on the board. At least we have a better final record than the Frogs, and the partying into dawn was very much a multi-national, cordial effort. One Englishman we met insisted the Saffas were terrible at celebrating their win, chastened by the unfairness of the try decision and not being able to afford it anyway having spent all their Rand getting to Paris. He got put in a bush.
At the conclusion of an unforgettable tournament, it is only right to thank the Frenchies for putting on a great show, congratulate South Africa for achieving the ultimate accolade and repeat Kenny Rogers’ immortal words from the team’s new adopted anthem:
You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, know when to run.
You never count you’re money, when you’re sitting at the table, there’ll be time enough for counting, when the dealin’s done…
Four more years boys, four more years.
By Rob Douglas
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