Desperation in Cardiff
October 5th 2007 12:33
The All Blacks
This evening we take the train to Cardiff for tomorrow's Rugby World Cup quarter final match between the All Blacks and France in Cardiff. The Railway Stations are already thronging with Blue and Black. It promises to be an exciting weekend. It promises to be a hard, tense and desperate game.
The French remain steadfast in their goal to win this World Cup despite their shaky beginning and difficult ride through the pool games. Les Bleus are taking a "war-like spirit" into the test, with the battle plan to beat the All Blacks in the lineouts and to dominate territory through kicking. Coach Bernard Laporte describes his team as "bonded and motivated" and flanker Serge Betson says "we are ready to play the best match we've ever played....we're well-prepared and we've studied the videos" . Popular opinion before the tournament held that France would be severely disadvantaged if they had to play this quarter final game in Cardiff, off the home turf and away from the mass of hard core support. Now however, the belief is that a little distance from the iclaustrophobic level of interest in France and from the intense pressure of the French public might be a good thing. Many remember and hope for a repeat of that 1999 World Cup game in Twickenham, where off their native soil, the French defeated New Zealand 43 to 31. "Maybe it's better to be here" said David Marty "Away from our supporters and the press and, yes, we remember '99" .
On the other side, the All Blacks are equally determined and battle-ready in spite of, or perhaps because of, their "armchair ride" through the pool games. Says flanker Gerry Collins "Being able to force yourself harder than your opponent when the going is tough is the key to winning close contests. From a lot of these games that is all it is - who can push the hardest ...we've just got to put the best 80 minutes of the World Cup so far on the track. " However, Collins is philosophical and realistic about the game's outcome. "The French have shown that they can beat anyone on the day, just like us and we can lose, like anyone else if the other team have their day"
For both teams, this will be their toughest contest so far. According to some, desperation will be a key factor in the game. With Laporte's future as Minister of Sport rumoured to be threatened by a loss, he'll be pushing desperately for a win. As the Cup's host side, the French team will be fighting desperately to avoid the humiliation of defeat at this stage. On the other hand, the Kiwis will be fighting desperately to avoid another Twickenham '99, as well as a quarter final knockout and yet another World Cup failure. So, both teams are prepared, both are motivated and both have the key factor - desperation. Now, let the best team win but let that best team be the All Blacks .
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
You must believe me when I say (type) that the result of this match has me equally shellshocked.
Yes, I wanted the All Blacks to lose but...to The Wallabies. In the final.
You didn't hear this from me...the All Blacks are a great team, past, present and future and why this keeps happening I do not understand.
I feel so awful for the ABs...not as awful as I feel for 'our' men but pretty bad.
I couldn't bear to watch Larkham after that match (the emotion overcame him when he went to hug Gregan) and I just couldn't watch McCaw at the press conference.
Oh God...I know it's not a human tragedy on a world scale but...that's how it all feels. A few more
yearsdays and my priorities should right themselves!I just take this so personally...so personally that people (family, friends, colleagues...hell...neighbours!) ring/write/see me to ask if I'm okay!!..and I'm supposed to be a cool, calm and collected adult!
How are you all feeling? Are you staying for the duration of the RWC?
I do hope you're well Patricia.
Dusk
Comment by Patricia
Travel Stripe