2011 Rugby World Cup final

Path to the final

|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#c1e0ff" |Opponent |Result ||Knockout stage |Opponent

| |19–12 |

| |9–8 | |20–6 |}

Match summary

Choice of colours

France won the toss for choice of colours ahead of the final at Eden Park, but agreed to play in their white change kit to allow New Zealand to play in their traditional all-black kit.

Haka and French response

After the national anthems, the New Zealand players performed the Kapa o Pango haka as the French team stared back and then advanced towards them in a V-shaped formation before fanning out into a straight line. The French had decided to meet the haka in this fashion on Sunday morning, and French captain Thierry Dusautoir stated that "it was a great moment". They were later fined £2,500 by the IRB for crossing the half-way line, a decision that was labeled "pedantic" and the "final insult".

First half

In a match of "grim physical attrition", New Zealand scored first. From a line-out in the French 22, Tony Woodcock received the ball and broke through a hole in the French defence to score his first try of the World Cup. Piri Weepu, who had already missed a penalty kick, failed with his conversion effort. Weepu missed another attempt in the 25th minute. Nine minutes later, New Zealand's Aaron Cruden, the team's third choice fly-half, only playing due to injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade, hyper-extended his knee, and was replaced by Stephen Donald. The French were forced to defend stoically for much of the first half, due to New Zealand playing a good running game, but late in the half François Trinh-Duc missed a drop goal attempt and had a run to the line cut off by Weepu.

Second half

Jean-Marc Doussain came on as a late substitute for France, and became the first player ever to make his test debut in a Rugby World Cup Final.

Match details

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Statistics

Refereeing controversy

Craig Joubert's refereeing was heavily criticised by the French team and many international observers. Greg Growden writing for The Sydney Morning Herald accused Joubert of "ignoring offside play and breakdown indiscretions that should have cost the home team penalties". Hugh Farrelly interviewed in The Irish Independent stated laconically that "France were significantly better over 80 minutes" and "Craig Joubert did not referee evenly" and "some of the decisions were disgraceful for a game of this magnitude". On the other hand, former French referee Joël Jutge reviewed 24 instances of the game and concluded 17 times Joubert made the correct decisions, four incorrect decisions favoured the All Blacks and three incorrect decisions favoured the French.

Richie McCaw and New Zealand coach Graham Henry pointed out that New Zealand had deliberately tried to play the game in a way that did not result in them conceding penalties, especially in the second half. After the game McCaw expressed surprise that Aurélien Rougerie was not cited by the IRB for gouging at his eyes and noted that the final became "filthy" as it went on but made no mention of Joubert or his performance.

Dramatisation

In July 2013, it was announced that a made-for-TV movie, to be called "The Kick", would be made. The telemovie focused on Stephen Donald, and his successful penalty kick early in the second half that ultimately provided the winning points. Donald had been unwanted for the All Blacks squad prior to the final, due to some previous poor international performances. However, injuries to Carter, Slade (both earlier in the tournament), Cruden and Weepu led to the opportunity for a "charming story of redemption". David de Lautour was cast as Donald. The movie debuted on New Zealand television on 10 August 2014.

Notes

References

References

1. (18 October 2011). "Craig Joubert to referee New Zealand v France final ahead of Alain Rolland". The Daily Telegraph.
2. (October 2011 }}{{dead link). "New Zealand an overwhelming favorite to win Rugby World Cup". The Washington Post.
3. (31 October 2011). "Harinordoquy admits to French uprising". ESPN Scrum.
4. (18 October 2011). "N. Zealand granted French leave for All Black final". Times of Malta.
5. Jenkins, Graham. (23 October 2011). "All Blacks edge out France for World Cup glory". ESPNscrum.
6. Robinson, Georgina. (26 October 2011). "Too much hoopla over haka: All Black great". The Sydney Morning Herald.
7. Gallagher, Brendan. (25 October 2011). "Rugby World Cup 2011: France fined for advancing on New Zealand's haka before final kick-off". The Daily Telegraph.
8. (26 October 2011). "World media call France haka fine 'final insult'".
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17. (23 October 2011). "L'incompréhension (in French)". L'Equipe.
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23. Growden, Greg. (24 October 2011). "Long dark clouds lifts as All Blacks close the door on 24 years of pain". The Sydney Morning Herald.
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31. (5 March 2014). "Actor to play Stephen Donald revealed". stuff.co.nz.
32. (11 August 2014). "The Kick – So bad it's good, or just bad?". stuff.co.nz.