Sport Rugby World Cup
A nation is in mourning – France’s frustration after the World Cup exit
As of: 2:40 p.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
World Cup frustration: Disappointed French rugby players after quarter-final defeat against South Africa
Quelle: picture alliance / Kyodo
Millions at home in front of the screens, millions at the public viewing: hopes for the first World Cup title were high in France. But the hosts failed in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup – and are now angry with the referees.
The shock was deep. Apparently so deep that Antoine Dupont, the French superstar, didn’t care at all about the otherwise emphatically good manners in rugby. “I don’t want to be a sore loser who complains about the referee after a loss. But I’m not sure he was up to the challenge,” said the best player in the world.
His frustration was of course understandable after the 28:29 defeat against defending champions South Africa in the quarter-finals. Just three weeks after breaking his upper jaw and cheekbone, Dupont threw himself into a gripping, high-class and breathtaking battle. After the outstanding group phase, it was only supposed to be a stopover on the way to the final. The Webb Ellis Cup should stay at home and the Grande Nation should become world champions for the first time.
But after the final whistle in the sold-out Stade de France there was only emptiness and tears. “These tears are for eternity,” wrote the sports daily “L’Équipe”.
Ratings record – 16.5 million TV viewers
Above all, there was the matter with referee Ben O’Keeffe, which made the French’s disappointment skyrocket. “The frustration is great and we will see images that will make it even greater,” said Dupont. Two scenes in particular annoyed Les Bleus. In the 40th minute, South African Eben Etzebeth hit Uini Antonio’s head while defending. Normally a sending off, O’Keeffe left it with a ten-minute time penalty. Etzebeth came back – and his try gave the Springboks a 26-25 lead.
Thrilling duel in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup between the French and the green-clad South Africans
Quelle: picture alliance/dpa/MAXPPP/Jean Michel Mart
Shortly afterwards, South Africa received a certainly debatable penalty and brought the score to 29:25. Too much for the French, they couldn’t make any more attempts. Former French top referee Alexandre Ruiz defended Ben O’Keeffe’s performance. “He stuck to his line consistently for over 80 minutes. “He communicated a lot and clearly from the first minute,” said the 36-year-old. South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber naturally said “Ben had a good day”.
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And “L’Équipe” tried really hard not to let the French’s hangover get too bad after the six-week rugby frenzy. “If your coffee tastes like vinegar this morning and the face you see when you wake up is annoying, don’t throw it all away. It’s just a tough phase,” it read.
From the perspective of French rugby, however, this phase has lasted quite a long time. It was the third time in a row that a World Cup had already ended in the quarter-finals. An average of 16.5 million TV viewers tuned in and the broadcast of the game was the most watched program so far this year.
Disillusionment after the French exit from the World Cup at public viewing, like here in Bordeaux
Quelle: picture alliance/dpa/MAXPPP/Fabien Cottereau
And yet the end came, which seems grotesque, because Les Bleus currently have a team with world-class players in every row. Above all, Dupont. But he was powerless to “derail the South African machine,” as “Le Monde” analyzed. France was ahead in all crucial statistics – except for the final score. And so ultimately it has to be stated that South Africa were simply smarter and played the way they should in a World Cup quarter-final.
The South African Manie Libbok (2nd from left) claims the equipment in the World Cup quarter-finals against France
Source: picture alliance/dpa/MAXPPP/Mylene Deroche
The Europeans’ hopes now rest on England, who are in the semi-finals alongside South Africa, Argentina and record world champions New Zealand. On Saturday, the team around the famous kicking connector Owen Farrell will face South Africa. It is a new edition of the 2019 final, in which England had no chance. Given their previous performances at this World Cup, South Africa go into the game as clear favorites. This can be a good omen for England, as four years ago this role was theirs.
