Rugby World Cup Final Recount
At 8:15pm on Sunday night hundreds of thousands of peopled pushed and shoved to get through the gates of Eden Park to watch the Rugby World Cup Final between the French and the mighty All Blacks. The fans sat excitedly in their seats as they waited for the whistle to blow, marking the start of what was to become a thrilling match of rugby.
The two teams took their places on the field and the All Blacks formed a group to perform the Haka. The crowd is silent as Piri Wepu lead the Haka. The French team held hands as they walked steadily forward. The Haka finished and the teams took their places on the field once again, ready for the kick off whistle.
The crowd started to count down. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The referee, Craig Jubert blew his whistle and Aaron Cruden of the All Blacks kicked the ball high into the air.
Fourteen minutes into the game and the All Blacks had a line out throw. Kevan Mealamu threw the ball in and Brad Thorn was lifted high above the rest of the players. He knocked the ball down into the waiting arms of Tony Woodcock, who then bursts through a gap in France’s defensive line and dives over the try line. The crowd erupts like a volcano. The All Black fans cheered, clapped and waved their flags in delight. Piri Wepu placed the ball precisely on his kicking tee and takes his stance ready to take the conversion. Whack. Wepu struck the ball and it sailed off towards the posts but drifted off to the side. All Blacks-5, France-0.
The All Blacks had the ball and it got passed to the Fly Half Aaron Cruden. He stepped and ran at the French line. Suddenly Cruden stepped as his knee buckled. He went down in a hard tackle to one of the French players. Whilst Cruden was lying on the field the team medics rush to his aid. Aaron Cruden had seriously injured his knee and was now out of the Rugby World Cup Final. He limps off the field with the assistance of the medics. Crudens replacement, Stephen Donald ran onto the field to clapping and cheering from the crowd. Not long afterwards Craig Juberts whistle went again to signify half time.
The two teams ran out of their changing rooms and onto the field ready to start the second half. Craig Jubert cheeked his watch for the time, blew his whistle and the second half commenced.
Five minutes into the half the All Blacks got a penalty kick directly out in front of the posts. Stephen Donald stepped up to take the kick as Piri Wepu had missed a few prior penalties. Donald kicked the ball, and it flew straight over between the posts. The crowd went wild! He turned and ran back to his team mates with a smile spread across his face. All Blacks-8, France-0.
The restart was made and France were in possession of the ball. They spread it wide and then cut through a gap on the inside. The ball was off loaded to the French Captain, Theirry Dusautoir who strode through New Zealand’s defensive and scored next to the posts. The fans supporting France went crazy. Dimitri Yach Villi lined up to take the kick. He slotted the ball straight down the middle of the posts. All Blacks-8, France-7.
The game had just two minutes to go and it was right down to the wire. Fans of both teams were not sure what the outcome would be. New Zealand have the ball and it’s given to the Captain, Richie McCaw who drove into the French with the force of the props and forwards behind him. He went down and the ball was given to Kieran Read who did the same. The siren for full time sounded and Andrew Ellis did the honors of kicking the ball into touch. New Zealand had won the Rugby World Cup Final! There was excitement and disappointment from both the players and the fans.
The final score. New Zealand-8, France-7.
The French players received their silver medals and then the All Black team received their gold medals. Richie McCaw walked up to get the William Web Ellis Cup which was given out by Jock Hobbs and John Key. He shook their hands and lifted it high into the air for everybody to see. The crowd roared like thousands of hungry lions. Smiles were on everyone’s faces except for the French. The All Blacks celebrated by spraying Champaign and performing one last Haka for the audience.
Written By Logan
The Rugby World Cup Final!
“God defend New Zealand” the final words of our national anthem rang out through the stadium. The crowd was going wild; they knew what was going to happen next. The All Blacks were in formation to perform the well known war dance. The Haka was amazing, loud with great strong movements. It was enough to send a chill running down your spine.
I sat there snuggled up on the couch as the shrill noise of the whistle sounded. The ball was kicked strongly, sending it in a powerful ark down the pitch. I was nervous and excited all at once. I hoped the All Blacks would have a victory against France but there was still a chance that France would play really well and beat our team, the All Blacks. If The All Blacks played as well as they did against the Wallabies I was sure we would win, especially with all the support being on home ground!
To start with not much happened. The All Blacks had the ball for a bit then France had the ball for a bit. It wasn’t until around the 13th or 14th minute where things got exciting. The French got a line out inside their 22 line; only about 15 metres away from the All Blacks try line! The line happened and then all of a sudden the T.V screen showed Woodcock sprinting with the ball towards the try line none of the French team were between him and the try line it was almost a certain try! I was so excited and so was the crowd! They were standing up cheering and screaming and Woodcock was getting closer and closer to the line 5 metres, 4 metres, 3 metres and a few seconds later he was touching the ball down over the try line! “Go Woodstock!” I yelled. The atmosphere was victorious even though the game had only progressed 15 minutes.
Then I was glued to the screen along with many other people all over the world. The penalty was lined up and the ball was kicked, sadly the aiming was a bit off so New Zealand had to settle for 5 points instead of 7.
After the second kick off not much happened France got close to their try line and New Zealand got close to theirs. It wasn’t until Cruden made a break that there was a bit of action. Cruden was sprinting to the line with only a few of Frances defenders in his way. He side step past one and was now well inside the 22 line. He went to side step the next one when thud! He was on the ground grasping his knee, his face a picture of pain and agony. The medics rushed onto the field and leant over looking worried. But then something surprising happened Cruden looked like he was going to keep on going. I thought there was no way Cruden could keep on playing after watching the brutal replays, the knee crunching and the crash in to the ground. Cruden stood up but his knee collapsed underneath him. He was lead limping of the field.
Suddenly a wave of sleepiness washed over me I fought to stay awake but couldn’t. No I must watch it but, no I was already asleep. Next thing I knew I was awake with the sun pouring in through the edges of my blinds. I got out of bed and groggily walked down to lounge. Who won? I asked. “The All Blacks, by one point!” Said Mum “yes” I said “we are champions for the second time!”
By Anna
