Rugby World Cup - 
Article published the Sunday 23 October 2011 - Latest update : Sunday 23 October 2011

All Blacks beat France in Rugby World Cup ... but only just

France after their defeat at the hands of the All Blacks
Reuters/David Gray

By RFI

New Zealand beat France in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final but their 8-7 win was the result of a better-then-expected showing by les Bleus. The victory is the All Blacks’ first since they won the inaugural tournament in 1987.

Prop Tony Woodcock scored New Zealand’s only try, while replacement fly-half Stephen Donald hit a penalty in the second half.

Some disappointed French fans took virtual revenge on South African referee Craig Joubert by changing his French Facebook entry. “Craig is a bitch,” one gender-confused commenter declared, while another called him colour-blind.

Both comments have since been removed.
 

But France defied their critics – who lambasted their semi-final win and described them as the worst team ever to make a final – hit back with a try by captain Thierry Dusautoir and conversion by François Trinh-Duc.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw declared that he was “proud of every single one of the guys”.

"You've got to be warriors to win this and keep getting up and keep getting up, believing in your mate beside you, trusting him to do his job and making sure you do yours,” he said. “All 30 guys, plus the management, everyone did their part.”

"I'm so proud to be a New Zealander standing here,” commented coach Graham Henry. "There was a bit of turmoil up there in the coaching box, but Richie and the boys just hanging in there right through 80 minutes to win this thing is superb. This is something we've dreamed of for a while, we can rest in peace."

The two men were in the same jobs when New Zealand lost to France in Cardiff four years ago.

Dusautoir declared he was proud of his teammates, adding “we proved a lot of people wrong today”.

tags: All Blacks - Competitive sport - France - New Zealand - Rugby - Sport - Wikipedia
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Wonderful game France

Submitted by Duncan (not verified) on Mon, 2011-10-24 06:51.

Such a great, thrilling game, commiseration to the French team, you came so close and showed France to be one of THE best. As a Kiwi, you scared the living daylights out of around 4 million rugby mad New Zealanders all around the world. Never let it be said that the French are unworthy opponents. Merci France.

Way to go France

Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Mon, 2011-10-24 02:36.

France played better and deserved to win

This is true, but France

Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Mon, 2011-10-24 17:37.

This is true, but France shouldnt have even been there. They got lucky with the red card to the Wales skipper and beat Wales, one man short, by one point. So while they did play better than the All Blacks this game, karma caught up

I thought the Sa ref was

Submitted by bobigb (not verified) on Sun, 2011-10-23 20:25.

I thought the Sa ref was abysmal every decision went to the home team..he enabled NZ to win and is a disgrace

mate look at the penalty

Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Mon, 2011-10-24 17:04.

mate look at the penalty count between the 2 nations...pretty even to me mate

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