4800

So, if you hadn’t caught it yet, the All Blacks are out of the Rugby World Cup. Aside from the question of who to support now, the folk back home are looking for a sacrificial lamb to blame it all on (the usual suspects have emerged, the players; the coach; the referee); other folk are calling it a choke.

For me, New Zealand was beaten by a better team (or perhaps a smarter team). The last twenty minutes New Zealand attacked the French line; wave after wave of silverbacks attacked the French line and for next to no gain. The French defended beautifully and on that alone they are deserved winners. (Check out some of the stats).

As for the referee; some say he made a mistake; but we should remember that there are 4800 seconds in a Rugby match, and each of these can turn a game. During the last 10 minutes, the All Blacks had near to 25 phases and at any point during this time, NZ could well have set up for a drop goal attempt, which may have turned a 2 point deficit into a 1 point win. It does sadden me to read that the NZRU laid blame at the referees feet, and some fans have threatened the referee. Anyway, was said famously not so long ago… "four more years" for the Kiwi’s (and Aussies).

I haven’t decided which of the remaining teams I’m going to support, but I do think it will be nice for “Bill” to go somewhere new; Argentina or France maybe but I’m expecting England and South Africa to meet in the final. Given last weekend, I’m not making that prediction with any degree of confidence.