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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
New Zealand Exorcise French Demons of 2007 8 views
25 September 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Richie McCaw,
Israel Dagg
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The All Blacks sounded a warning to their rivals and got the monkey of the 2007 Rugby World Cup defeat to France off their backs with an impressive win at Eden Park tonight. Scotty Donaldson looks at the match.
Richie McCaw in his 100th test match, lead the All Blacks to an impressive 37-17 exorcising the demons of the 2007 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final defeat to France. Statistically speaking this match was relatively even, but the after weathering the initial French onslaught the host nation bagged three tries in quick succession to the delight of the capacity home crowd at Eden Park.
Adam Thomson, Cory Jane and Israel Dagg all scored first half tries from a relatively long range which were well worked as the All Blacks strong ball carrying and ability to offload in the tackle made them unstoppable. The tries shot the All Blacks out to a 19-0 lead and put the game beyond doubt after only 21 minutes. All three of these players left the field in the second half with concerning injuries along with Richard Kahui. The All Blacks will have an anxious few days as they wait to hear the seriousness of these injuries.
Dagg got his brace night shortly after halftime when Sonny Bill Williams, on for Cory Jane, set Carter free on a brilliant movement and Dagg stepped his way to the tryline, at 26-3 France were gone.
The French were rewarded with two opportunist tries of their own with an intercept try to Maxime Mermoz and a quick tap effort that confused everyone to Francois Trinh-Duc.
Sonny Bill Williams had the last say, scoring in the corner after Ali Williams had snapped up the kick off.
This match was an impressive win for the dominant home team who sounded a warning to their rivals at the Rugby World Cup tournament. They would be pleased to get the monkey off their backs from the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It was interesting to see centurion Richie McCaw pack down at Number Eight in the scrums too. There is a nervous wait ahead for the All Blacks medical team with injuries to Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane and Adam Thomson. There could be a reprieve for other outside backs like Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu who could be called into duty if required. Israel Dagg was so impressive, that he would be a huge loss. Finally, while it was great to see Richie McCaw awarded the All Blacks cap for reaching his milestone of 100 test matches, but wasn't it sad to see the once most powerful man in New Zealand rugby and former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs looking worse for wear presenting the cap?
New Zealand 37
Tries: Adam Thomson (1), Cory Jane (1), Israel Dagg (2), Sonny Bill Williams (1)
Conversions: Daniel Carter (3)
Penalty goals: Daniel Carter (1)
France 17
Tries: Maxime Mermoz (1), François Trinh-Duc (1)
Conversions: Dimitri Yachvili (2)
Penalty goals: Dimitri Yachvili (1)
Man of the Match
While it was about Richie McCaw tonight in his 100th test match, it is difficult to go past Israel Dagg who was brilliant under the high ball, scored two great tries, was electric with the ball in hand and kicked well for position. The All Blacks can not afford to lose him to injury.
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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