After two months of competition, the World Cup bowed out on Saturday with South Africa’s fourth coronation.
Curtain on the Rugby World Cup. South Africa’s victory against New Zealand (12-11), Saturday October 28, concluded two months of competition at the highest level on French soil. From surprises to great stories, including disappointments, franceinfo: sport takes stock of the teams involved.
The champion: South Africa in history
They are definitely the kings of the rugby world. Crowned world champions by dominating the Blacks in the final, the Springboks led the defense of their title acquired in 2019 to the end and made oval ball history by becoming the first team to win four Webb Ellis trophies. A deserved coronation after an almost perfect competition (only one defeat in groups), marked by physical domination, great tactical intelligence, and resistance to any test.
The surprises: New Zealand regains color, England on the podium
The All Blacks will leave France with regrets, but their World Cup is still a success. As they emerged from a year and a half of doubts, they rediscovered their identity and the exciting game that characterized them for so long. Brilliant offensively, supported by solid forwards and three-quarters on fire (Jordan, Telea…), they believed they could overthrow the Springboks in the final even with one player less.
The XV de la Rose achieved an unexpected and promising podium. Arriving with little certainty, beaten by Fiji in their last preparation match, the English advanced quietly to the podium. Quietly qualified first in Pool D, ahead of the Argentinians and the Japanese, they moved to the more favorable part of the table and climbed into the last four. They even came within a small point of the final after having made the South Africans, then future world champions, doubt.
Disappointments: the Australian disaster, Italy misses out
Australia has never experienced such a difficult Rugby World Cup. Lost on the field and shaken by internal waves (rumors of Eddie Jones’ hasty departure…), the Australian selection suffered a major downgrade. Beaten by Fiji, humiliated by the Welsh, hung by Portugal, the Wallabies did not exist in Pool C. For the first time in their history, they did not even reach the final phase.
Italy does not have the same aura as Australia, but its World Cup can also be on the side of disappointments. While the Nazionale seems to be progressing, driven by a promising generation, it was unable to compete in Group A. Despite a good start to the tournament against the two weaker teams (Uruguay and Namibia), it exploded against the Blues and to the Blacks (22 tries and 156 points conceded) and stopped in the groups when she had her destiny in her hands to reach the final phase.
Frustration: France and Ireland, so close but so far
Two nations and two performances difficult to classify. We cannot say that the French and the Irish disappointed, even if they were expected higher. LThis is due to a controversial draw which placed the two best European nations heading into the World Cup on the road to the two best nations in the southern hemisphere (South Africa and New Zealand). Authors of impressive group stages, during which they remained undefeated, France and Ireland fell in the quarter-finals, after two very high level matches, and by less than five points difference.
The beautiful stories: Portugal already victorious, Uruguayan anger
Who could have predicted that the Portuguese would be greeted like heroes at the airport upon their return from France? Not frightened by their status as little thumbs, Patrice Lagisquet’s men thrilled hearts throughout the group stage. Noisily supported in the stadiums, the Lobos held on to Georgia, valiantly resisted against Australia, and finally won their first victory in the World Cup, on the last day in the final minutes, against Fiji (24-23) .
The Uruguayans also showed heart and impressed. French supporters will not soon forget the anger of the Teros, who had picked up the Blues cold during the second group match, and who had long posed problems for Fabien Galthié’s men. The Uruguayans also shook the Italians, against whom they were leading at the break, and held their ground against Namibia. After their group stage, we can only want to see them evolve quickly at the highest level.