The story of how William Webb Ellis gifted rugby union to the world formed the central theme to a glamorous opening ceremony at Twickenham last Friday.
Upon Prince Harry of Wales, and World Rugby President Bernard Lapasset cutting the ribbon, the sellout crowd were hopeful of England and Fiji contributing to the occasion with their own brand of fireworks.
Unfortunately, the conditions were not conducive to fast open rugby, and the many unforced errors allowed England to impose their superiority in the set pieces. The score read 35-11 at the final whistle, with a last gasp cross-over by substitute Billy Vunipola giving England, what could be a crucial 4-try bonus point. It was a scratchy performance by England for most part of the first half, failing to build any serious momentum, despite being awarded a penalty try for a collapsed rolling maul. Nikola Matawalu gave us a timely reminder of the threat he poses on the loose ball, when he scampered over 20 meters from a scrum, only to lose control of the ball when tackled over the line. However, the disappointment was short lived when giant winger Nemani Nadolo outleaped Anthony Watson, to collect and score by the left corner. That try by the Crusaders flyer, kept the Fijians in the game going into the half-time break.
The second half presented many chances for Fiji to wrest the initiative. However, lack of composure and experience told on them in those vital moments. The game changed with the introduction of substitutes brought on by Stuart Lancaster. Vunipola, Sam Burgess, Owen Farrell, Joe Launchbury and Richard Wigglesworth entered the fray, and England were a different side. The pendulum swung their way as they launched many an offensive on the Fiji line, which in the end proved too much to handle for the south sea islanders. A lot was said about Burgess’ inclusion in the squad, with opinion divided on his attributes as a Union player. However, ‘Big Sam’ made a considerable impact when coming on, running fine lines, and off-loading in the tackle to put men in space. I believe that cameo performance silenced all his critics, and along with Vunipola, and Launchbury has made a strong case to be in the starting line-up against Wales.
A win against the Welsh, and the host nation are more or less guaranteed a slot in the last eight. They will surely fancy their chances against the injury-ravaged side that is sweating on the fitness of a few other remaining key players.
The whole rugby, if not, sporting community can’t stop talking about what in my estimation is the greatest shock in world sport. Yes, Japan, ranked outside the top ten in the world, upstaged the Springboks of South Africa, ranked 3rd at the time. This upset has been likened to James ‘Buster’ Douglas knocking out undisputed champion Mike Tyson in 1990. Incidentally, that historic bout happened to take place in Tokyo. Well, at least both Boxers were of the same weight category. Japan and South Africa are not. The Boks fielded their most experienced team ever to take the field, boasting of 851 caps between them. Japan’s last and only World Cup win came twenty four years ago. And that against minnows Zimbabwe, a virtual non-identity in rugby circles.
What we witnessed was Japanese efficiency at its best. From how they grubber kicked to start off games, how they chopped the ball carriers at knee height, how they did not commit too many numbers to the breakdown, it just showed how much time and effort had gone into their preparations. The image of substitute Karne Hesketh going over to score the match winning try by the left corner flag will be etched in the minds of all who loved the game for many a year to come. However, it was the try scored before that by Ayumu Goromaru that really broke the spirit of South Africa. The backline move worked off the line-out was executed to precision, drawing the defense with the ball beating the man. The All Blacks would have been proud of that move.
Captain Michael Leitch made the mother of all decisions by turning down, not one, but two opportunities to go for goal and tie the game. Credit to him, they showed the belief, the spirit, and the skill to execute a game plan that they believed in. They were done no favours by anyone. They won on their own terms, and players such as Leitch, Goramaru, and Matsushima, have etched their names in Rugby World Cup folklore. Coach Eddie Jones, has high ambitions of reaching the quarter finals. If they able to pull off a win against Scotland, the Brave Blossoms are more or less there.
For the Springboks, it’s back to the drawing board. Given their rich heritage, experience on the park, and their huge weight advantage, they should have knocked the stuffing out of the Japan, and closed the game by half time. They just couldn’t get enough daylight between themselves and the opposition, as Japan seemed to respond each time they scored. For me, it was a case of too many chiefs and too less Indians. They just did not seem to have that tenacity and ruthlessness that Springbok sides are reputed for. They badly lacked the imposing presence of Brussow or Marcel Coetzee, both of whom were watching back in South Africa having been inexplicably omitted. If they lose their next big game against Scotland, they will take an early flight back to the rainbow nation. Heads will definitely roll then, with that belonging to Coach Heyneke Meyer certain to be amongst them.
In the other big game which happened on Sunday, nearly 91,000 fans turned up at Wembley to watch New Zealand make their bow against Argentina. Midway through the first half, there was a hint of an upset in the air as Argentina fought toe to toe with an increasingly frustrated All Blacks side. It was the Pumas who held a slender 13-12 lead going into the break. One of the much hyped incidents of the first half, dominated by the boot, was the Richie McCaw yellow card. It was an instinctive reaction by the Skipper, when Fernando Lobbe attempted to take a quick tap. Lying on the floor he stuck out a leg and clipped the player, which escaped the view on Wayne Barnes but not the TMO. He was correctly sent to the bin for a ten minute cooler, with a large portion of the partisan crowd booing him each time he was shown on the screens. Not quite what a 143 test veteran deserves, I think. But, he will live to regret that. Apart from the humiliation, it gave the impetus to the Pumas, and at one point they only had thirteen players on the park following Conrad Smith’s expulsion.
However, as the heat was being applied, the All Blacks showed us just why they are the best team in the world. They battled through, held their nerve and when they had their chances, they made it count – except when Milner-Skudder dropped the ball with line starting at him. Where the Boks failed so miserably the day before, New Zealand excelled in. Sonny Bill Williams replacing a woefully inept Ma’a Nonu was a turning point. The ex-league star, much like Burgess did for England, brought in a different energy and popped up all over to hit gaps and release players running off him. In the end, the All Blacks put away Argentina 26-16, with the record crowd getting more than their monies worth.
Argentina will take a lot of heart from that game. They just seemed to run out of gas and ideas in the last quarter. However, they are certain to make the knock-outs. And based on the evidence seen on Sunday, they will fear no side that crosses their path.
