The All Blacks meet Roumania in Toulouse
October 1st 2007 19:01
The Blacks' mobile and drivers in a Square
Toute Toulose, it seemed, had turned out for the All Blacks’ game against Roumania at the Stade down on the far side of the Garonne last Saturday. The day was warm and sunny and there was a carnival atmosphere even if black was the colour of the day. Whole families of French had decked themselves out in All Blacks attire, many with moko (facial tattoos) and silver ferns. A little blonde Francais with a shiny bowl-cut strutted past in a shirt saying Umanga 13, while a baby in a back-pack, grinned toothlessly from under All Blacks cap. The Roumanians, in their cheerful red and yellow, were in high spirits despite the predictions of certain defeat. The bag inspectors and ticket collectors at the gates smiled and wished us “Bon metch” in those “droles d’accents du sud” (the French obviously didn’t earn their reputation for rudeness au Sud) Bands played, singing laughing groups posed for photos and enjoyed pre-match starters in the sun.
A pair of tatooed legs
The match was described on allblacks.com as “a minnow-bashing romp” which was probably fair comment on this clash between the well-conditioned Kiwis and the battle-weary opposition.
Some superheroes at the game
The Roumanians put up a plucky fight, scoring a try and kicking a penalty. But, before long, holding back the New Zealander machine proved too much. They ran away with the game and tallied up 85 points to Roumania’s 8.
Roumania battle the Blacks in the scrum
The All Blacks were sharper and surer unit than they were last week in Edinburgh - there were none of those handling errors or botched tries. They gave us plenty of that fluid, fast, running action that makes us rise in our seats and roar as well as plenty of those bold tries, slipped over the line against all odds, which make us cheer and laugh aloud. Still, if there was a starring piece of play among all the examples of skill and speed seen last Saturday afternoon, it was in the 63rd minute of the game, when the ball moved from Chris Jack, to Conrad Smith, to Brendon Leonard, in a swift and almost seamless series of passes, then finally on to Andrew Hore, who scored the try.
One of those All Blacks tries
Watching the All Blacks’ performance at Toulouse was in many ways like watching a tightly choreographed ballet where impressive demonstrations of coordinated effort give way to breathtaking displays of virtuosity.
The All Blacks take a bow
There were moving moments at the end of the match when the teams received their medals for the participation thus far. For Roumania, it was the end of a proud run, with defeats by some mighty big fish and a victory over a worthy minnow. For the All Blacks, too, it was a moment to give pause. It’s the end of the golden weather. The easy part is over.
The crowd sings at the end of the game
And for the people of Toulouse, too, this was a moment tinged with sadness. It was the last of the Rugby World Cup games in their city. Reluctant to leave, they stood for ages after the match, singing (among their songs was the haunting "Toulouse") They and their visitors will always remember the Rugby World Cup in Toulouse as a truly wonderful time
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