IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 - New Zealand vs. France Quarter-finals Shocker
Hm…
Since this was recommended to me by a friend, I have been asked to write about the devistating loss by New Zealand in the match against France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Ah, when you think of New Zealand, you think of rugby - and vice versa. Rugby has always been a part of New Zealand’s history from the beginning of time, or close enough. Kiwi boys dream of being in the All Blacks, to represent New Zealand against international countries. To tour the globe and play fair matches.
One key event this year is the Rugby World Cup. This year, the matches were held in France. New Zealanders were ready to cheer on their team. Dressed in black t-shirts official or from your dad’s wardrobe - (didn’t matter which one you had so long as it’s black) you’d get in front of your telly at ridiculous times.
Correction: People all over the globe would get up to cheer for the All Blacks.
After all, this year WAS OUR YEAR. The All Blacks had already won two iconic rugby events. The Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe cups. No one could stop us. Even international countries labeled the All Blacks as a potential threat/winner.
However, in the back of every fan’s minds, was the possibility of NOT winning the world cup at all. And so, this year AGAIN, everyones nightmare had come true. New Zealand had played a terrible game and lost to France in the quarter-finals. Way to go AB’s. (All Blacks)
Now now. As expected, people would go searching for scapegoats when they lose. Who to blame? The players, coach or referee?
On top of every diehard rugby fan’s hitlist would be the referee:
To be honest, the referee wasn’t the best choice for such a competitive and important match. Why? Wayne Barnes only refereed for 11 test matches. When comparing with other referees, he was relatively ‘fresh’. A few mistakes he made was the ever-so-famous ‘forward pass’ which he didn’t see (which ended up giving the French a try), and a badly called yellow card to AB McAlister for a contact error (of some sort). People have also criticized why there was even a ‘English’ referee in the first place and some fans have raised up a rumour of deliberately plotting the demise of NZ in this year’s World Cup.
The second person fans are after is our coach, Graham Henry:
Why blame the coach? Personally I have no idea on this one. I guess everyone just goes for the coach because they can’t accept the fact that their country’s players let them down. And why not blame it on the head of the team and the person in charge of the team’s performance? THE COACH. I’ve heard he’s even resigned from the job.
Lastly the players (but they rarely get the blame):
Ah, who could ever blame the AB’s for the failure? No one could be willing to blame it on the AB’s. No one!
After all, everyone enjoys Daniel Carter’s underwear advertisements(oops sorry shouldn’t have said that). They are our little darlings, we can’t blame them. Period.
Well? So who is the scapegoat? Personally I blame the government for even promoting rugby in the first place, for we must be able to accept losses as well as wins. We’re all not children anymore for goodness sake. If you’re going to risk investing millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money into a single rugby tournament and can’t take the shock when they don’t do as you’ve planned, don’t bother doing it. Go invest that money in some toll highways or something, you’d get guaranteed revenue from that for sure.
Also, to the fans. If you bet on the ABs for the win, and now are left with a piece of useless paper, just stick it on your wall to remind yourself of the mistake you just made or something. Paper mache of a rugby ball perhaps?
Anywho, for those who actually understand what I just wrote, give yourselves a pat on the back. If you totally disagree, give me your comments. I totally would love hatemail and hate-comments. Flame away 
PS: I do have to compliment France for having a strong defense throughout the game, after all they are renowned for it. 
Nevertheless, we still have 2011 Australia/New Zealand Rugby World Cup to look forward to. 4 years? Don’t worry, time flies!
For those who want to hear the commentary of the game, click here to go to BBC
i think maybe they will make a good couple but i kind of think vanessa made a good one too