Date 23 October 2011 Venue Eden Park Event 2011 Rugby World Cup | Man of the match Thierry Dusautoir Attendance 61,079 | |
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Referee Craig Joubert (South African Rugby Union) Similar 2011 Rugby World Cup, 2015 Rugby World Cu, 2007 Rugby World Cup, 1999 Rugby World Cup, 2007 Rugby World Cu | ||
2011 rugby world cup final new zealand v france 2nd half
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Final was a rugby union match between France and New Zealand, to determine the winner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The match took place on 23 October 2011 at Eden Park, in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand won the match 8–7, the slimmest margin by which any Rugby World Cup Final has been decided.
Contents
- 2011 rugby world cup final new zealand v france 2nd half
- Choice of colours
- Haka and French response
- First half
- Second half
- Controversy
- Dramatisation
- References
New Zealand were considered to be favourites, as they went into the final unbeaten and the French had lost two pool games, including one to New Zealand. The French team also experienced a player revolt against their coach Marc Lièvremont, confirmed after the tournament by veteran back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy. The match was a close-fought and tight contest with few line-breaks. Each side scored one try and the outcome was determined by kicks – the All Blacks kicked a penalty goal whereas the French managed only the conversion of their try. The result was the lowest score of any final in World Cup history.
The match echoed the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final which was also held at Eden Park between the same teams, and also the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final in that both teams had progressed from the same pool. In the 2011 pool stage, France lost to New Zealand and Tonga, and it was only Canada's previous upset 25–20 victory over Tonga that allowed the French to progress. New Zealand won every match they played in the tournament.
New Zealand's victory marked the first time that a nation had held the World Cup and Women's Rugby World Cup, as the Black Ferns had held their title since 1998.
Choice of colours
France won the toss for choice of colours ahead of the final at Eden Park, but agreed to play in their white change kit to allow New Zealand to play in their traditional all-black kit.
Haka and French response
After the national anthems, the New Zealand players performed their traditional haka as the French team stared back and then advanced towards them in a V-shaped formation before fanning out into a straight line. The French had decided to meet the haka in this fashion on Sunday morning, and French captain Thierry Dusautoir stated that "it was a great moment". They were later fined £2,500 by the IRB for crossing the half-way line, a decision that was labeled "pedantic" and the "final insult".
First half
In a match of "grim physical attrition", New Zealand scored first. From a line-out in the French 22, Tony Woodcock received the ball and broke through a hole in the French defence to score his first try of the World Cup. Piri Weepu, who had already missed a penalty kick, failed with his conversion effort. Weepu missed another attempt in the 25th minute. Nine minutes later, New Zealand's Aaron Cruden, the team's third choice fly-half, only playing due to injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade, hyper-extended his knee, and was replaced by Stephen Donald. The French were forced to defend stoically for much of the first half, due to New Zealand playing a good running game, but late in the half François Trinh-Duc missed a drop goal attempt and had a run to the line cut off by Weepu.
Second half
The French came back into the game in the second half, although it did not begin well for them: Dimitri Yachvili missed the team's first penalty attempt after two minutes, and Stephen Donald pushed New Zealand further into the lead by successfully kicking a penalty two minutes later. The French reacted straight away: Trinh-Duc made a run towards the line, and after several attempts, Dusautoir scored a try, which Trinh-Duc converted to take the score to 8–7. Trinh-Duc attempted a penalty kick from 48 metres in the 65th minute, but missed the goal, and thereafter there were few chances for either side. The French captain, Dusautoir, who was described as "enjoying a heroic game in defence" by The Daily Telegraph's Brendan Gallagher, was named man of the match.
Another historic milestone occurred when Jean-Marc Doussain came on as a late substitute for France. He became the first player ever to make his Test debut in a Rugby World Cup Final.
Controversy
Craig Joubert's refereeing was heavily criticised by the French team but also by many international observers: "ignoring offside play and breakdown indiscretions that should have cost the home team penalties" according to Australia's Sydney Morning Herald Greg Growden, he "refereed France but not the All Blacks", "infuriating even neutrals" according to British newspaper The Guardian . The Irish Independent stated laconically that "France were significantly better over 80 minutes" and "Craig Joubert did not referee evenly" and "some of the decisions were disgraceful for a game of this magnitude".
Richie McCaw and New Zealand coach Graham Henry pointed out that New Zealand had deliberately tried to play the game in a way that did not result in them conceding penalties, especially in the second half. After the game McCaw expressed surprise that Aurélien Rougerie was not cited by the IRB for gouging at his eyes and noted that the final became "filthy" as it went on but made no mention of Joubert or his performance.
Dramatisation
In July 2013, it was announced that a made-for-TV movie, to be called "The Kick", would be made. The telemovie focused on Stephen Donald, and his successful penalty kick early in the second half that ultimately provided the winning points. Donald had been unwanted for the All Blacks squad prior to the final, due to some previous poor international performances. However, injuries to Carter, Slade (both earlier in the tournament), Cruden and Weepu led to the opportunity for a "charming story of redemption". David de Lautour was cast as Donald. The movie debuted on New Zealand television on 10 August 2014.