The two meetings attracted their share of criticism, on the level of play, the suspense, and the atmosphere.
An opposition folded from the 15th minute of play on one side, a match mockingly compared to Pro D2 on the other… The semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup between Argentina and New Zealand (6-44), then England and South Africa (15-16), did not excite the crowds. The fault lies in a difference in level that is sometimes too great, in a game offered that is not always brilliant, in a special atmosphere. Were these two matches worthy of a final four of the World Cup, and of the highest level of world rugby?
“No, there is regret”, first responds with a smile Vincent Clerc, France Télévisions consultant. Rugby fans were left wanting more after these two meetings. Friday evening, it was the suspense that was lacking. With such a difference in level and collective experience between New Zealanders and Argentinians, uncertainty did not hang over the Stade de France for long.
Lack of suspense, lack of spectacle
After 17 minutes of play, the All Blacks had already scored two tries. Then, they spent the rest of the match playing out, facing the Pumas who very quickly gave up. “New Zealand deployed its game and put in the right ingredients to not give the Argentines hope, without forcing too much, they were even able to coach early”analyzes Vincent Clerc. That same evening, the international specialized press was already reporting a “one-sided match” (The Guardian), of a “semi-final in name only” (Irish Times).
The next day, it was this time the level of the meeting between English and South Africans which caused a lot of talk. In difficult weather conditions, the vast majority of the match was played through duels and kicks, for a long time the only way to pick up points. “Zero play, zero emotion, zero fun”notably tweeted former French international Olivier Magne during the match.
“It’s a shame, the South Africans had on paper a composition to make a play. Very quickly, they understood that they would not be able to make three passes”rewinds Vincent Clerc. If the end of the match was stunning and more dramatic, it is difficult to shake the impression that the match really began in the 70th minute, after the first and only try, far too late for a match of this level.
The atmosphere was not always up to the occasion either. During the first semi-final, the Stade de France, not helped by the scenario, never really caught fire. “The atmosphere was clearly disappointing. The New Zealand supporters are often calm but we didn’t hear them singing! The Argentines set the fire at the start, but it quickly died down, it’s a shame”whispered Antoine, a French supporter, as he left the stadium.
Special atmosphere
Saturday evening, the still bruised stands of the Dionysian enclosure reflected the elimination of the Blues six days earlier and whistles were heard throughout the match against referee Ben O’Keeffe and certain Springboks (Etzebeth, Du Toit, Kolbe), siphoning off the atmosphere and noise from the English and South African fans.
This last square which will not be remembered is also the result of the draw carried out three years ago which is causing a lot of talk. Obviously, team dynamics have evolved enormously. Placed in a more favorable half of the table, Argentina and England, respectively 6th and 8th nations in the world at the start of the tournament, were able to advance to the semi-finals, while Ireland (1st) and France (3rd), among the favorites, bit the dust at the end of the pools.
Especially since their matches were remarkable thanks to the excellence of the rugby offered, which reinforced the comparison with a much paler final four. “We have the impression that these quarter-finals came too early, while a World Cup normally increases in level”, regrets Vincent Clerc. Enough to reinforce the expectation around the shock in the final, to erase this feeling and end on a good note.