Madrid
Updated Saturday, October 28, 2023 – 23:54
Twelve points with Pollard’s foot give the title to the Springboks in a match that the All Blacks played with merit and bravery despite playing half of it outnumbered.
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They won the quarterfinals by just one point, the semifinals by another and again by one point they won the decisive match this Saturday.. South Africa beat New Zealand (11-12) and revalidates her title as world rugby champion. She achieves this with a team that has grown in each tie, that has been imposing itself in an agonizing but unstoppable way against France, England and, finally, the All Blacks.
The two best teams in the southern hemisphere came out tonight, willing to avoid risks. His priority, to take the ball as soon as possible, with his foot, to the opposite field. From the exchange of kicks to the exchange of setbacks. New Zealand was left behind for ten minutes due to the expulsion of Frizell and South Africa lost their heeler due to injury MBonambi.
Opening soon Pollard in leaving his mark. He scored the first shot with sticks (0-3, min. 2) to give his teammates peace of mind. The Springboks’ very high defense left the All Blacks without the ball or spaces, their attack made them retreat, their dominance translated into points (Pollard 0-6, min. 12).
New Zealand had been the most dangerous team in the previous matches when entering the rival 22. In his first foray this Saturday he came close to trying but settled for the shot with sticks. Mountain (3-6, min. 17). It took Pollard a minute to respond with his telescopic leg (3-9, min. 18).
Pollard catches a ball from TeleaFranck FifeAFP
New Zealand also appeared almost infallible in their throw-in and did not live up to expectations at the start. He also penalized him for his indiscipline. His captain, Cane, he was gone for ten minutes for hitting a rival’s face with his head during a tackle. And the referee bunker made the exclusion final after reviewing the play. The All Blacks were left with fourteen for the rest of the final.
Although they recovered precisely by stealing throw-ins, the worst symptom for them was the lack of quick balls. They played drowned. South Africa managed the rucksthe rhythm and the score. He was looking, by hand or foot, for the back of the black rear. Another exchange of kicks between Pollard and Mounga left the score at half-time at 6-12. Basically, a fact. No team, in the nine previous finals, had come back from the locker room.
Despite the differences in style, the All Blacks and Springboks agree on the solidity of their defense. A firmness that they maintained in the first half and that was on the verge of breaking when South Africa came close to scoring in the restart.
The Springboks played the game they had planned. A lot of pressure in the contacts, high kicks from Pollard to make his predators come hunting and the threat of his wings. When the game was going to the All Blacks, with a yellow card to the South African Kolisi they glimpsed an opportunity.
Fourteen against fourteen the Oceanians looked strong. With the imposing Clay ahead, they began to break the line of advantage, determinedly looking for the try. Twice they stayed one meter away. In another, at last with rhythm, the connection of the media Smith and Mounga It ended in a mark canceled due to a forward ball. Suffering, as usual, South Africa resisted. The combat on their line was fierce, with each contact growing a pyramid of twisted bodies.
Percussion by percussion, even playing against fifteen, New Zealand found the light. Beauden Barrett he rolled down the side to a A lot overwhelming, he picked up his ball and placed it. Mounga could not convert (11-12, min. 59). The encounters two inches above the ground were brutal. New Zealand, focused on its offensives; South Africa, intent on picking up every lost ball.
The green and gold team usually plays two games in one. The second begins when his forwards from the bench appear on the grass. Neither with them, nor with numerical superiority, has South Africa managed to stop this match. Contested in a hurry, the final suddenly favored an already unleashed New Zealand. With the initiative and fast balls, Kolbe was sent off and a distant and cornered penalty shot in which Jordie Barret almost came back.
The All Blacks, in keeping with their legend, tried to play every ball, desperately advancing against the defense and against the clock. In the last minute, a melee decided the World Cup. South Africa introduced it, they barely maintained it, with it they closed the conquest of a fourth title that New Zealand also deserved.
Since they lost against Ireland in the first phase, these very seasoned Springboks have been an example of conviction. They have suffered many minutes of adverse scores, they have squeezed their rivals with comebacks in extremis. This Saturday, their collective play and Pollard’s 12 points put them ahead from the start. With strength and veteran they have endured. South Africa has competed in eight World Cups, winning four. He has never lost the final. If his game can be discussed as a matter of taste, there is no room to dispute his winning legacy.
2023-10-28 21:26:43
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