When Charles Monro returned home in 1870 after studying at Christ’s College in Finchley, England, he had no idea that the oval ball he hid in his bag would become New Zealand’s best ambassador to the world. Since then, the land of the white clouds, or more specifically the silver fern team, has dazzled the planet with its rugby excellence and put a distant country of barely five million people on the map. The team that Mandela used to prevent a civil war, change history and unite a country took the stage in Paris this evening. Two teams that go beyond rugby and sports. All Blacks and Springboks. The final of finals.
But they also exemplify two schools of rugby: Yin and Yang, physicality versus skill, collision versus dodging. A last minute guest sneaked into the duel, rain. Their game plan is in favor of the South Africans, who are under pressure, with their short kicks into the penalty area. South Africa, as expected, came out giving it all and demanding a lot in the battle points. And things started to happen… South Africa in three minutes mountain pile Frizell cleared Mbonambi’s neck inconclusively and the African caught his knee. This posed a problem for Bokkes considering that starter Malcolm Marx was already injured. Still, the South Africans pressed the blacks and Pollard took two shots, including one from Mounga (6-3).
From Red to Cane
Bokkes tightened every game, tightened every game mountain pileThey destroyed every accusation, insisted on everything to touch. New Zealand were left without the ball, not making a single show in half an hour. Karpov cornered Kasparov. And then something happened that left its mark on the game. In another minor fight, Cane was too high on Kriel and the yellow was painted red. Hell in the lower is more hell. Competing with South Africa physically is an epic, competing with one less is a utopia. South Africa’s dribbling left the All Blacks bleeding, but the Oceanians remained within a try at half-time (6-12).
He returned from the All Blacks dressing room feeling invigorated. South African captain Kolisi saw yellow for another header in a tackle. New Zealand again thrived by playing evenly, putting the South Africans inside their own half for as much as two tries. The first was canceled out by a previous advantage, while the second moved up the scoreboard after great play from Telea which led to a try for Beauden (11-12) with Kolisi already on the field. However, the transformation did not occur…
Victory was being played out in every percussion, in every race, in every decision. New Zealand were left at a disadvantage against their superior opponent, who rejuvenated their lungs and legs by introducing a seven-forward ‘Bomb Squad’ that put further strain on the Kiwis’ vertebrae. The rain brought a ceasefire and the expected heroes began to emerge: Kolbe, Barretts, Mounga… While the war ahead was bloody, the heroes were sought behind. Whitelock and Retallick acted as assistants, and Scott Barrett disguised himself as a third alongside Ardie Savea to make up for the indignity in the carnage that was their battle point. In attacks, Jordi compensated as a winger.
The finale of the finals would be determined by a gesture, a detail. The slightest mistake will decide the fate of a historic match. And then a recovery kiwi This caused a stampede which forced Kolbe to stop with a hard slap and go to the bench, leaving the final ten minutes on equal terms, again fourteen against fourteen. Jordie Barrett missed the kick and the tension kept the score at one point. South Africa tried to win through coups, as in 2015. New Zealand were more ambitious and Barrett’s effort kept them ahead.
The game ended on the New Zealand field. Seconds consumed in phases on the way to the most epic victory in rugby history. Kolbe was crying uncontrollably in the sin bin. South Africa, which could beat any opponent it faced, gave up its life to beat New Zealand at the lower level. The one who didn’t rehearse won Rugby rustic, but has the enormous virtue of beating a team superior in talent. The team that Mandela, Madiba’s grandchildren, believed would stop one war, won another. Glory to all Blacks, honor to South Africa.