Three key take aways from Rugby World Cup final

Three key take aways from Rugby World Cup final

Web Desk
October 29, 2023

Three key take aways from Rugby World Cup final

South Africa defeated New Zealand 12-11 in the Rugby World Cup final.
Sam Cane was the first captain to be red-carded in a Rugby World Cup final.
None of the starting hookers survived the game.

In an intense and hard-fought match at the Stade de France on Saturday, South Africa defeated three-time winners New Zealand 12–11 to win a record-tying fourth Rugby World Cup.

The international news agency highlights three significant points from the game:

Flood of cards

Only Ben Smith of New Zealand had received a yellow card in a final before Saturday’s game. By the time the game at the Stade de France ended, four players had been sin-binned, and captain Sam Cane of the All Blacks created history by being the first player to receive a red card.

Cane had envisioned himself hoisting the Webb Ellis trophy and creating All Blacks history by becoming the first team to win the championship four times.

However, towards the end of the first half, the 31-year-old’s yellow card for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel was upgraded to a red, meaning he could only watch helplessly from the sidelines.

Referee Wayne Barnes brandished the card in his direction as he sat looking stunned in his seat near the pitch.

When Cane got into an unlawful ruck clear-out, his teammate Shannon Frizell warmed his seat for him after the flanker’s knee went in on Bongi Mbonambi’s knee.

Cane briefly had a chance to be joined by Siya Kolisi, the captain of the Springboks, after the flanker received a yellow card for a high tackle early in the second half.

But as the game neared its conclusion, his teammate Cheslin Kolbe was put to the bench. He was given the all-clear to return.

Hookers´ tale of woe

At the conclusion of the contest, none of the starting hookers survived.

Mbomambi´s only lasted three minutes, which is eighteen minutes fewer than he played in the 2019 championship before being knocked out.

The news that the lone specialized hooker for the Springboks, Deon Fourie, a 37-year-old converted backrow forward, had to leave early was certainly not what he wanted to hear.

But it was his All Blacks counterpart Codie Taylor who struggled in the first half, giving up two crucial lineouts. The All Blacks have only lost one game during the competition before the final.

Even while Taylor’s performance was not as bad as it was in England’s 2019 semifinal loss, he still looked uncomfortable and was substituted in the 65th minute.

After appearing confident at first, Fourie lost his cool a little bit in the second half. It’s possible that exhaustion had some influence, as the All Blacks quickly took two of his line-outs.

But the old warhorse persevered brilliantly, making 21 tackles and producing a pivotal turnover halfway through the second quarter.

Du Toit – a one man wrecking machine

Pieter-Steph du Toit, a flanker for the Springboks, was named man of the match for his incredible display of fierce tackling.

The 31-year-old harassed the All Blacks, occasionally straying on the verge of legitimacy, and came up with 14 tackles in the opening quarter.

Du Toit, who never backs down, was drawn to Jordie Barrett.

Early on, Du Toit let Barrett know he was there by nailing him twice with late tackles.

Richie Mo´unga’s penalty kick into the ribs cost the Springboks three points and caused the All Blacks center to smile ruefully.

Nevertheless, Du Toit remained unfazed, and his brutal tackle on Will Jordan inside the All Blacks’ 22 put them under such pressure that they soon gave up a penalty.

In the second half, Du Toit was called for a tackle on Scott, one of the Barrett brothers, but he got away with it because the All Blacks opted for touch rather than a simple three-point conversion.

The Springboks brilliantly turned the ball over and defended their line.

As the All Blacks ran it out of their 22 in the last minutes, Du Toit, who finished with an incredible 28 tackles, had not finished with the unfortunate Jordie Barrett. He knocked him backwards with a bone-cracker of a hit.

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