The All Blacks took on the French in the biggest game of rugby in the last four years. The game that would decide who will reign supreme for the next four years. The IRB Rugby World Cup Final. The Anthems where sung and the teams lined up for the All Black Haka. Still wondering why the All Blacks would stick out their tongues at the French, a nation of lovers...


The crowd counted down the last 10 seconds before kick-off and Craig Joubert blew the whistle for the final to start. Yachvili started of proceedings and the All Blacks received the kick-off. For the first 15 minutes it was a back and forth between the two teams. Much like two light weight boxers feeling each other out. Then suddenly from a line out about 15 meters out Tony Woodcock got the ball and a gap the size of the English Channel opened in front of him. The big prop forward went over to put the All Blacks in the lead. Piri Weepu missed the conversion. Weepu also missed two penalties.

After the try the All Blacks closed up shop for the next 10 minutes or so. The French attacked through running and kicking the ball at the All Blacks. Both teams discipline and handling during the first half were excellent with the first scrum awarded after only 17 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of the first half the French tried desperately to get on the board but the teams went into the change rooms with the score at 5-0.

Shortly after the break Stephen Donald, who replaced Aaron Cruden, step up and landed the All Blacks only kick at goal to make it 8-0. the Frogs then started playing rugby like we have not seen from them during the whole tournament. For the next 35 minutes they were the attacking team and the Kiwis had to defend like crazy. The french were rewarded with a Thierry Dusautoir try after 48 minutes. Francois Trinh-Duc made no mistake with the conversion.

The French kept up their attacking play but couldn't breach a strong All Black defence. Two penalties by the French went wide and an attempted drop goal well right. The bookies and everyone that predicted a run away All Black victory must have grabbed for heart medication or the bottle up to the 78th minute. The All Blacks turned the ball over and kept control. Just after the hooter sounded the end of the game they won a penalty that was kicked into the stand to secure the All Blacks their 2nd World Cup title in 24 years.

This was not the boring one sided final that most expected, but one of the best finals I have ever witnessed. The French showed that even though they lost two games coming in to the final, they were good enough to win it. If they played in the first 30 minutes like they did in the last 50 the Cup might just have gone to France. Well done to them for putting up a valiant fight.

The All Blacks will be relieved that for once they didn't choke again in the final. If there ever was a team that deserved this win it was the All Blacks. They have dominated rugby for the last 24 years and to end it like this is well earned. To Richie McCaw and his team: "Congratulations on a game well played and won."

My last remark on this game is an edited version of a Smokie song: " 24 years just waiting for a chance, to tell him how we're feeling, to hold him in our hands. 24 years of waiting for William Web-Ellis".