South Africa, rugby world champion and agony in an exciting final (11-12) against New Zealand
They won the quarterfinals by one point, the semifinals by another and again by a single point they won the decisive match this Saturday. South Africa has beaten New Zealand (11-12) and retains its title as rugby world champion. He achieves this with a team that has grown in each tie, that has been imposing itself in an agonizing but unstoppable way against France, England and, finally, the All Blacks.
The two best teams in the southern hemisphere came out this Saturday willing to avoid risks. His priority, to get the ball as soon as possible, with his foot, to the opposite field. From the exchange of kicks to the exchange of setbacks. New Zealand was left behind for ten minutes due to the expulsion of Frizell and South Africa lost its heeler MBonambi due to injury.
It didn't take long for flyhalf Pollard to leave his mark. He scored the first shot with sticks (0-3, min. 2) to give peace of mind to your colleagues. The very high defense of the Springboks left the All Blacks without the ball or spaces, their attack made them retreat, their dominance translated into points (Pollard 0-6, min. 12).
New Zealand had been the most dangerous team in the rival 22 in the previous matches. In his first foray this Saturday he came close to trying but settled for Mounga's close shot (3-6, min. 17). It took Pollard a minute to respond with his telescopic leg (3-9, min. 18).
Pollard catches a ball against Telea AFP
New Zealand also appeared almost infallible in their throw-in and yet they have not been up to expectations at the start. He was also penalized for his indiscipline. Their captain, Cane, was gone for ten minutes for hitting an opponent's face with his head during a tackle.. And the referee bunker made the exclusion final after reviewing the play. The All Blacks were left with fourteen for the rest of the final.
Although they recovered precisely by stealing throw-ins, the worst symptom for them was the lack of good balls. They played drowned. South Africa controlled the rucks, the pace and the scoreboard. I was looking, by hand or foot, for the back of the black rear. Another exchange of kicks between Pollard and Mounga left the score at half-time at 6-12. In essence, a fact. No team, in the previous nine finals, had come back from the locker room.
Despite the differences in style, the All Blacks and Springboks agree on the solidity of their defense. A firmness that they maintained in the first half and that was on the verge of breaking when South Africa came close to scoring in the restart.
The Springboks played the game they had planned. A lot of pressure in the contacts, high kicks from Pollard to make his predators come to the hunt and the threat of his wings. When the final was going to the All Blacks, with a yellow card to the South African Kolisi they glimpsed an opportunity.
Fourteen against fourteen the oceanicians looked strong. With the imposing Savea ahead, they began to break the lead line, determinedly seeking the try. Twice they stayed one meter away. In another, finally with rhythm, the connection between the midfielders Smith and Mounga ended in a mark canceled due to a forward ball. Suffering, as usual, South Africa resisted. The combat on their line of marking was fierce, with each contact a pyramid of twisted bodies grew.
Beauden Barrett poses for New Zealand Anne's essay AFP
Percussion by percussion, even playing against fifteen, New Zealand found the light. Beauden Barrett doubled down the sideline against an overwhelming Telea, picked up his pass and placed it. Mounga could not transform (11-12, min. 59). The encounters two inches above the ground were brutal. New Zealand, focused on its offensives; South Africa, intent on picking up every lost ball.
The green and gold team is used to playing two games in one. The second begins when his forwards from the bench appear on the grass. Neither with them, nor with numerical superiority, has South Africa managed to stop this match. Contested in a hurry, the final suddenly favored an already unleashed New Zealand. With initiative and speed he led to Kolbe's expulsion and a distant and cornered penalty shot in which Jordie Barret came close to the comeback.
The All Blacks, in keeping with their legend, tried to play every ball, desperately advancing against the defense and against the clock.. In the last minute, a scrum decided the World Cup. South Africa introduced it, they barely maintained it, with it they closed the conquest of a fourth title that New Zealand has also deserved.
Since they lost against Ireland in the first phase, these very seasoned Springboks have been an example of conviction. They have suffered many minutes of adverse scores, they have squeezed their rivals with comebacks in extremis. This Saturday, their collective play and the 12 points from Pollard have put them ahead from the beginning. With strength and experience they have endured. South Africa has competed in eight World Cups, winning four. He has never lost the final. If his style can be discussed as a matter of taste, there is no room to dispute his winning legacy.