At the Stade de France,
Maybe it’s because they’re the ones who took out our little Blues and we haven’t really recovered from it yet, that we’re jealous of these matches that have always turned out for them or that we don’t There are not enough rugby connoisseurs to fully appreciate their tactical science put at the service of an iron defense. Or a bit of all three at once, surely. In any case, it’s a little difficult this Sunday morning to be ecstatic about the final victory of the South Africans, crowned kings of the world at the end of a final that began with a long yawn before ending with just as much oxygen. than at the top of Mont-Blanc. Others will not be of this opinion and will praise the tenacity of the men of the Nienaber-Erasmus duo.
As in the quarterfinals against France (29-28) then in the semi-final against England (16-15), the Springboks won by one point. A tiny nothing that shows both a journey to the edge of the precipice and a certain know-how. “Rassie [Earsmus] said a few weeks ago that it’s the sign of a very good team to win the matches you’re not supposed to win, says second row Jean Kleyn. I think we deserved it today [samedi], that we also deserved it in the quarter-final. The confidence in the team is immense and we never thought we were going to lose this match. »
The elements were on the South African side on Saturday evening, once again, between the rain which suits their game of occupation and fighting better than the New Zealand intentions, the interpretations of referee Wayne Barnes and his acolytes in the video booth (we will return to this in another paper), and the clumsiness of the opponent against the poles – as against the Blues. They had nothing to do with it if Mo’Unga (59th) and Jordie Barrett (74th) missed the two kicks that could have put the All Blacks in front, that’s just how it happened. The opportunity to underline, all the same, that the New Zealanders had the victory at their fingertips, and that they can therefore blame themselves above all.
148 races against 83, 217 passes against 83, and yet…
The regrets are immense for them, because they had managed to come back in a match that we thought was over five minutes from the break, when Pollard scored the penalty for 12-3 and we learned immediately that Cane would not return not on the pitch, definitively expelled by the bunker for his shoulder shot in Kriel’s head. But rather than finishing them off, this hard blow sounded like a whiplash for the Blacks, who after coming back to six points just before the break sent play to each corner of the field after returning from the locker room. “This red card strengthened us,” said center Rieko Ioane. When Sam came out, we didn’t shake, we stuck together. »
It’s time du petit point statsto realize the difference in content between the two teams at the end of the meeting: the All Blacks, it is 148 races against 83, 66 crossings of the advantage line against 35, 217 passes against 83 (!!) , 36 defenders beaten against 13, 115 rucks won against 56… Obviously, on the other side of the spectrum, the South Africans display monumental defensive data, including 172 successful tackles (including 28 for Du Toit alone, designated man of the match and who “would even chase away a plastic bag that arrived on the field” according to the witticism of his coach) and seven turnovers won.
“It would be a lie to say that we had all the best opportunities, but we did everything we could to give ourselves the chance of winning,” said New Zealand coach Ian Foster. From the bench where he was nailed, Sam Cane could only helplessly watch the vain revolt of his people. “I am disgusted, disappointed, especially for my teammates. They showed incredible courage. It’s really difficult. »
If South Africa emerged victorious, it was firstly because they conscientiously scored points when the wind was favourable, that is to say in the first 35 minutes. Not a penalty attempted after the referee’s whistle, even when it would have been easy to come and play 5 meters from the opposing line, she left everything at the foot of Handré Pollard. So it’s not sexy, of course, but it pays off big.
“They have this ability to play the match at their own pace”
She also knew how to adapt to the injury exit of her only professional hooker, Nbonambi, from the 5th. It was Deon Fourie, 37 years old and third row in his state, who stuck to it, with some success. Generally speaking, it’s the whole team which has once again gone to work, starting with its dragsters Kolbe, Arendse and Willemse, who could have other desires than to struggle in the tackle and in the rucks but who rush headlong into it.
“The main thing is that it’s a real team,” greets conductor Jacques Nienaber. They had already participated in a World Cup final. They got away with the experience. They are all warriors. » His New Zealand counterpart can only approve, after coming up against a column of armored vehicles for 80 minutes. “They are strong, experienced, they know and master their game,” explains Foster. They have learned how to fight and have this ability to play the match at their own pace. »
So it’s annoying for the opponents, frustrating for the public, who had clearly chosen their side on Saturday evening, but that’s how it is and for the South Africans, it makes this success even more beautiful. This team has that in their blood, that’s what they are and they don’t intend to win any other way. We have the right not to love, and for our part we do not deprive ourselves of it, but sometimes we have to give in. There’s going to be a day when we’ll have them.