The beauty of sport for those of us who are such avid fans is that it is by its very nature unpredictable and yesterday in the Rugby World Cup we saw not one but two remarkable upsets that turned all preconceptions on their head.
Last week the pundits were discussing the supposed terminal decline in northern hemisphere rugby and talking expectantly of the first all southern world cup semi finals. The European game was written off as being dull and moribund, unable to stand comparison with the supreme athleticism and lightning handling skills of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Since the rapid decline of England’s great World Cup winning side the tri nations giants have not only won every game of note against European teams they have totally dominated. The All Blacks have, above, all looked regally supreme, last year they were unbeatable and at the start of the tournament were massive odds on favourites to win the World Cup. Australia were not far behind they probably have the finest central backline in world rugby and certainly the best defence. These two giants were comfortably expected to contest the semi final next week but both find themselves on a long, depressing flight home at the expense of what everyone said were lesser teams.
Australia were undone by an English side that ruthlessly exposed their only weakness – the scrum. The Australian pack was pulverised by a towering performance by the English front five led by that freak of nature Andrew Sheridan. The Australian forwards were so dominated in the set piece that it affected their entire game and England were able turnover ball after ball in the loose. The immensely talented Australian backs looked dangerous every time they got the ball but such was the supremacy of the English forwards that they only had the ball four times in the entire match.
The France – New Zealand game was different, The French were fuelled by a massive surge of Gallic passion that never allowed New Zealand to settle and control the ball the way they usually do. They signalled their intent by facing down the haka; standing just a couple of yards from New Zealand warriors with an intensity that sent shivers down the spine.
New Zealand started brightly and it seemed there would be an avalanche of points but the French played a canny game with the boot, kicking deep and pinning the All Blacks deep in their territory. New Zealand looked unconcerned almost cock as Carter attempted a crossfield kick in his own 22, However the sheer intensity and passion of the French rocked the Kiwis and they were forced out of their usual pattern of play to resort to a pick and drive game through the forwards. New Zealand went ahead through a Rodney So'oialo try but the French refused to fold. Frederic Michalak was brought off the bench and into the fray and immediately made a sublime break and split the New Zealand defence asunder to allow Jauzion to score a try. Ellisalde converted and then stout French defence saw them home for a famous victory.
It was one of the great days in rugby’s history, the delicious irony of two of the best teams in world rugby being beaten by the sheer passion, commitment and guts of the underdogs.
Watch all the Rugby World Cup games in Chiang Mai at Tuskers
