 |
| Richie McCaw celebrates the win. Photo: Stuff.co.nz |
There weren't too many Kiwis that weren't glued to the game last night. It was gut knotting stuff too as many of us dreaded the French winning by drop goal or run away try, or both. That last minute falter by the men in black, the "choker" taunts.....aaargh!
But the All Blacks ground them down and pulled the big win off by one point......and we'll take it. A win is a win and finals Rugby is always tight, tough and generally not a free running game.
Its been a fantastic tournament for not only the All Blacks but for New Zealand as we have had a positive focus for six whole weeks. Sure earthquakes come and go, ships run aground and spew oil everywhere but just to have a weekly focus on sport, right here in New Zealand has been gold! Its been an excuse to get together with mates for meals, beers and just to talk footy. The tournament even hit its numbers, turned a profit even. It show cased NZ to the Rugby world and in turn the rest of the world. The gloom merchants must be gutted it didn't all fall over as predicted.
Thanks Graham Henry and the coaching staff for running such an awesome build up and campaign. What a way to go out for Henry. There is one bloke I'd like to single out as a grafter and team hard man and that is Brad Thorn. We may well have seen the last of him in Black but what an All Black he has been. Tough, consistent, fair, physical and just a good southern bloke.
Now its back to the real world? No actually I'm sure we can dine out on this for a few years!
