The XV de la Rose won mentally to win the first bronze medal in its history on Friday evening.
England finished on a good note. The XV de la Rose ended its World Cup with a victory by winning the small final against Argentina (26-23), Friday October 27 at the Stade de France. Thanks to this ultimate success, the sixth in this World Cup, Steve Borthwick’s men won the first bronze medal in their history and have now finished on all steps of the World Cup podium.
What does a world medal mean? On the soggy pitch of the Stade de France, the XV de la Rose came very close to the correctional court, before experiencing great happiness. During the last five minutes, almost agonizing for their supporters, the English saw the Pumas miss the penalty which suggested an extension, then resisted the last opposing offensives hard as iron, before letting their joy burst forth.
An England with many faces
Finally adorned with bronze, the English almost always had the upper hand in this small final, but they trembled. Favorites on paper, they had nevertheless started at full speed. Once again imperial against the poles (100% success), Owen Farrell quickly allowed them to take the lead (3rd). In a one-sided start to the match, the English were the first to flatten the opponent’s goal, thanks to Ben Earl (8th), and already seemed to have the match in hand.
Shaken by the Argentines who raised their level of play after returning from the locker room, they faltered but never panicked. Like their second try scored with great opportunism by Theo Dan (45th) just after conceding the Pumas’ second achievement, the work of Santiago Carreras (42nd). Not disturbed by the whistles of the Argentinian supporters coming down from the stands, they contained the storm and the legs of their opponents, until the last minutes, to seal their victory and their first bronze medal.
The Pumas a little too tight
Beaten a second time by England in a month and a half, the Argentines have measured these small details which still separate them from the great historic nations. Despite all their desire, the game that they finally offered, and the noisy support of the public, they did not manage to take advantage of the periods of uncertainty and to realize their highlights (25th, 35th, 70th, 78th).
In a much more balanced second half, they kept the English within shooting distance, barring a converted try, but without managing to get past them sustainably. They will be able to regret their little slags, their too many hand mistakes, and this try conceded when they had just taken the lead. They will undoubtedly replay over and over again the last missed penalty from Nicolas Sanchez (75th), which could have allowed them to get back on track and continue to dream. Michael Cheika’s men failed to reach the podium for the second time in three editions, eight years after losing the small final against the Springboks in London.