Off and Stumbling

The All Blacks signal their intent with the trademark 'Haka'

The Rugby World Cup kicked off with all the style, razzmatazz and passion that you can expect from the rugby obsessed nation of New Zealand. The All Blacks took on Tonga in the opening match, expecting to win and win well. That they did, but not before they exchanged the stunning spectacle that is the Haka. The debate as to whether or not this has a place in elite sport should have been put to bed long before now, as it is a remarkable spectacle and sets the tone for what is after all, a war of attrition, a physical conflict between the countries best.

The hosts 41-10 victory came from a first half in which their tactical superiority and skill set, won over the Tongans heart and desire. A 29-3 half time score, led to New Zealand taking the foot off the pedal in the second half having secured the try bonus point. The All Blacks have never lost a pool match in the history of the finals, and France aside they should add to this record. Whether or not the favourites can lose the tag of ‘chokers’ we will find out soon enough.

Simon Danielle spares Scottish blushes.

The northern hemisphere sides France, Scotland and England all started with wins. All bar the latter with a try bonus point, but it was far from easy. Scotland were indebted to two late tries from Simon Danielle to squeeze past rugby minnows Romania 34-24. Romania who led 24-21 with twelve minutes remaining showed that no match in this pool will be easy. Scotland will have to raise their game considerably to qualify for the quarter finals.



Julian Pierre opens France's account.



France took on Japan, who have only ever won one match at the finals, back in 1987, looked as though they would have no trouble dispatching the side who have been hit with ‘cricket scores’ in the past. 20-3 up and in complete control France were pegged back to 25-21. With Japan in the ascendency and looking hungry for more, it appeared that the enigmatic French were on the verge of one if not the greatest World Cup upset. Dramatic it was, but romantic it was not, as the French found another gear to score three tries in the last ten minutes to take the win.

Ben Youngs provided the inspiration for a below par England

England took a huge step to the quarter finals after an attritional win over a solid rumbustious Argentinean side. Played under the roof of the Otago stadium, the only fully enclosed arena in world rugby, the ‘perfect conditions’ were made a mockery of by the fact that between them, eleven penalty kicks were missed! The fact that many of these were from distance, such was the tightness of this match, we should not overlook the fact that against a more clinical side, a lack of discipline at the breakdown will be punished more severely. As it was England were down and out, 9-3 behind lacking in ideas with just over ten minutes to go before sub Ben Youngs changed the match with a trademark dash to score under the posts.

Argentina finished third in 2007, and whilst they have lost key players, they are still a force, winning ‘ugly’ after all is still winning. Having spent just over four minutes in the opposition ‘22’ compared to Argentina who almost doubled that shows just how tight the match was. Finishing top of the group should mean that a quarter final against the French and not the host nation beckons. But on this performance England will need to raise their game, curb the penalties and increase the energy from what was a largely flat performance. Scotland, Georgia and Romania will not lie down and Martin Johnson needs to find a way to utilise his speedsters when it matters.