Men in Red
Well the All Blacks won in the end - but the real story of the Rugby World Cup Final was the second half fightback by the French.
Having gone down 0 -8 down to New Zealand soon after the re-start - France rallied and scored a great try - which forced the All Blacks on to the back foot for the rest of the game.
The two sides fought an engrossing battle over inches of territory - it seemed to me - in the hope of delivering a knock-out blow to their opponents.
Attractive to watch it wasn't.
But the ebb and flow of the game - the relentless thrust and counter thrust - served simply to underline the importance of rugby as a team game - and the absolute reliance on players to support on another.
One mistake would have ended it all for either side - as they fought each other to a complete standstill - and the All Blacks clung on desperately to their slender lead.
Yet it proved to be enough on the day and - in a World Cup Final - any win is a good win.
So congratulations to New Zealand - the Men in Black were undoubtedly the best team in the tournament.
In four years time though my money will be on Wales - and the Men in Red.
Having gone down 0 -8 down to New Zealand soon after the re-start - France rallied and scored a great try - which forced the All Blacks on to the back foot for the rest of the game.
The two sides fought an engrossing battle over inches of territory - it seemed to me - in the hope of delivering a knock-out blow to their opponents.
Attractive to watch it wasn't.
But the ebb and flow of the game - the relentless thrust and counter thrust - served simply to underline the importance of rugby as a team game - and the absolute reliance on players to support on another.
One mistake would have ended it all for either side - as they fought each other to a complete standstill - and the All Blacks clung on desperately to their slender lead.
Yet it proved to be enough on the day and - in a World Cup Final - any win is a good win.
So congratulations to New Zealand - the Men in Black were undoubtedly the best team in the tournament.
In four years time though my money will be on Wales - and the Men in Red.
