The New Zealand Herald, as anyone who knows anything about the media
in New Zealand will know, has been deteriorating for many years.
Perhaps most distressing of all, for sports fans at least, the
standard of the Herald's rugby reporting has never recovered since the
retirement more than a generation ago of the brilliant and diligent
T.P. McLean. It probably reached its nadir on the eve of the 1999
World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and France, when the Herald's
rugby "expert" Wynne Gray wrote that a "huge" win to New Zealand was
"the only sensible prediction". It later emerged that Gray, despite
being paid to do so, had been too lazy to even watch any of the French
team's lead-up matches, and was therefore unaware that in their
Quarterfinal against Argentina, the Tricolors had rediscovered some of
their famed rhythm and timing. Since then, Gray has rejoiced in the
splendidly disrespectful, ironic nickname of "Mr. Sensible".
Gray is the most infamous, but the rest of the "talent" being paid to
do bugger-all at the Herald is little better. Chris Rattue, Dylan
Cleaver, Paul Lewis, Paul Thomas... it's depressing list of
mediocrity, unrelieved by anyone capable of leavening the dross with a
modicum of wit.
So, bearing this depressing legacy in mind, it's no surprise to read
something as mind-numbingly mediocre as the following article by
someone called MICHAEL BURGESS.
In this poorly written and poorly informed piece, Burgess makes a show
of paying tribute to a "courageous" French team, and feels compelled
to mention the match referee's astonishing refusal to referee one
team, which he no doubt realizes (but does not dare to state) was
probably responsible for the All Blacks' win. As well as making
spurious claims---for instance, he compares Joubert's almost criminal
non-performance to Wayne Barnes' honest refereeing of the 2007 quarter-
final---the writer's tone is condescending throughout. Note how
deliberately (and dutifully) vague he is and how, in his bloviating
peroration, he reiterates the claim that the All Blacks' defence, as
opposed to biased refereeing, won it for them.
NOW READ ON . . . .
How did France nearly win Rugby World Cup?
by MICHAEL BURGESS 10:30 PM Sunday Oct 23, 2011
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
As we were warned during the week, we probably should have expected
this from the French.
They produced a performance completely at odds with their almost all
their previous tournament form, dominating possession and territory
(at 55 per cent for the match) and even edging the second half.
On reflection the buildup to the final was verging on disrespectful;
not only did we completely dismiss the French as worthy opponents but
every mainstream newspaper gave front page coverage to the 'filth
factor' in the days leading up to the final.
The French have certainly had their underhand moments over the years
but come on - does anyone remember Richard Loe?
We had forgotten that the French had been to the depths of utter
despair at least four times in this tournament. They had faced the
real prospect of defeat against minnows Japan and Canada, been
towelled over by the All Blacks and then fallen to Tonga.
Being in those places builds incredible resilience, desire and
determination - as we have seen in many other sporting tournaments -
and that was the backbone of a courageous French display last night.
Viewers in Paris will say they were a little unlucky; they were
arguably the better side in the second spell and they certainly didn't
get any favours from referee Craig Joubert despite their mountain of
possession.
Indeed, don't expect the French to gripe about it until 2015 but there
were some definite parallels with Cardiff and a certain W. Barnes in
Joubert's reluctance to find a penalty.
Definitely the best side throughout the tournament, suddenly the All
Blacks looked rudderless and seemingly bereft of attacking ideas,
especially in the last 40 minutes of the match.
But they hung on and it means that France remain the only nation of
the 'big five' not to taste victory at a World Cup. They have now lost
three finals - in 1987, 1999 and 2011.
The French started with an absolute determination to run the ball at
all costs and held possession for most of the first ten minutes,
without making major inroads.
Their attack, while containing some swift passing, still tended to
crab sideways, making their runners easy prey for Richie McCaw, Jerome
Kaino and Kieran Read.
At times they didn't help themselves. After gaining an outstanding
turnover on their own 22 at one point through some fierce counter
rucking, the French then elected to run the ball where they were
outnumbered. The All Blacks blew over the top and regained possession,
eventually winning a penalty which Piri Weepu should have converted.
There were other wasteful occasions. A terrible penalty kick by Israel
Dagg - which landed 15 metres inside touch was returned with a kick
straight back to the elusive fullback; he ran the ball back with
interest.
The All Blacks' try - while well worked - had to be one of the softest
ever scored in a World Cup final, as the French left a gaping hole.
In the second half the Europeans emerged first out of the tunnel -
like they had against England - and looked like they meant business.
They started the second half impressively and rarely faltered.
The sight of the All Blacks being driven back over 20 metres in
possession - through ten phases is a rare sight indeed at Eden Park.
Equally foreign is the fact that the All Blacks did not create a
single clearcut tryscoring opportunity in the entire second half.
The Tricolors on the other hand scored a brilliant try through their
captain Thierry Dusautoir and consistently looked dangerous with ball
in hand.
Only some resolute New Zealand defence, which has been their strength
over the last few years though most choose to focus on their attacking
prowess, stopped the French from making a more incisive and possibly
match winning break.
In the end France will be left to rue a knock on forty metres out from
the All Black line with a little over four minutes on the clock. It
gave up possession and the home side held it within their grasp to
seal the win.
By Michael Burgess Caroline O'Brespy (Ireland) | 01:25AM Monday, 24
Oct 2011
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
No comments:
Post a Comment