2011 Rugby World Cup final
{{Short description|Rugby competition in Auckland, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby match
| title = 2011 Rugby World Cup Final
| image = Eden Park panorama.jpg
| image_size = 200
| event = 2011 Rugby World Cup
| team1 = France
| team1association = {{flagdeco|FRA|1974|size=30px}}
| team1score = 7
| team2 = New Zealand
| team2association = {{flagdeco|NZL|size=30px}}
| team2score = 8
| details =
| date = 23 October 2011
| stadium = Eden Park
| city = Auckland
| man_of_the_match1a = Thierry Dusautoir (France)
| referee = Craig Joubert (South Africa){{cite news |title=Craig Joubert to referee New Zealand v France final ahead of Alain Rolland |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8831290/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Craig-Joubert-to-referee-New-Zealand-v-France-final-ahead-of-Alain-Rolland.html |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 October 2011 |access-date=19 October 2011 |location=London}}
| attendance = 61,079
| weather =
| previous = 2007
| next = 2015
}}
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Final was a rugby union match between France and New Zealand, to determine the winner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The match took place on 23 October 2011 at Eden Park, in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand won the match 8–7.
New Zealand were favourites, as they went into the final unbeaten and the French had lost two pool games, including one to New Zealand.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/new-zealand-an-overwhelming-favorite-to-win-rugby-world-cup-beat-france-for-2nd-title/2011/10/22/gIQATVvN7L_story.html |title=New Zealand an overwhelming favorite to win Rugby World Cup |access-date=25 October 2011 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 2011 }}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The French team also experienced a player revolt against their coach Marc Lièvremont, confirmed after the tournament by veteran back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy.{{cite news|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/france/rugby/story/153440.html |title=Harinordoquy admits to French uprising |work=ESPN Scrum |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=26 September 2012}} The match was a close-fought and tight contest with few line-breaks. Each side scored one try and the outcome was determined by kicks – the All Blacks kicked a penalty goal while the French managed only the conversion of their try. The result was the lowest score of any World Cup final.
The match echoed the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final which was also held at Eden Park between the same teams. As in the 2007 final, both teams had progressed from the same pool.
New Zealand's victory marked the first time that a nation had held both the men's World Cup and Women's Rugby World Cup, as the Black Ferns had won the 2010 tournament.
Path to the final
{{See also|2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A|2011 Rugby World Cup knockout stage}}
| style="width:100%; text-align:center" | |||||||||
| style="vertical-align:top; background:#9cf"
!colspan=2 style="width:1*"|France !Round !colspan=2 style="width:1*"|New Zealand | |||||||||
| style="vertical-align:top; background:#c1e0ff"
|Opponent |Result | Pool stage
|Opponent |Result | ||||||||
| {{ru|JPN}}
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 1 |{{ru|TON}} | |||||||||
| {{ru|CAN}}
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 2 |{{ru|JPN}} |83–7 | |||||||||
| {{ru|NZL}}
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 3 |{{ru|FRA}} | |||||||||
| {{ru|TON}}
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 4 |{{ru|CAN}} | |||||||||
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||
| width="200"|Team
!width="20"|Pld !width="20"|W !width="20"|D !width="20"|L !width="20"|TF !width="20"|PF !width="20"|PA !width="25"|+/− !width="20"|BP !width="20"|Pts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background:#cfc"
|align=left|{{ru|NZL}} |4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 4 | 20 |
| style="background:#cfc"
|align=left|{{ru|FRA}} |4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 3 | 11 |
| style="background:#ffc"
|align=left|{{ru|TGA}} |4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 1 | 9 |
| align=left|{{ru|CAN}}
|4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 0 | 6 |
| align=left|{{ru|JPN}}
|4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 0 | 2 |
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Final standing
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||
| width="200"|Team
!width="20"|Pld !width="20"|W !width="20"|D !width="20"|L !width="20"|TF !width="20"|PF !width="20"|PA !width="25"|+/− !width="20"|BP !width="20"|Pts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background:#cfc"
|align=left|{{ru|NZL}} |4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 4 | 20 |
| style="background:#cfc"
|align=left|{{ru|FRA}} |4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 3 | 11 |
| style="background:#ffc"
|align=left|{{ru|TGA}} |4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 1 | 9 |
| align=left|{{ru|CAN}}
|4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 0 | 6 |
| align=left|{{ru|JPN}}
|4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 0 | 2 |
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#c1e0ff"
|Opponent
|Result
|Opponent
|Result
|-
|{{ru|ENG}}
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Quarter-finals
|{{ru|ARG}}
|-
|{{ru|WAL}}
|9–8
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Semi-finals
|{{ru|AUS}}
|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.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111018/rugby/N-Zealand-granted-French-leave-for-All-Black-final.389681 |title=N. Zealand granted French leave for All Black final |publisher=Times of Malta |date=18 October 2011 |access-date=4 January 2012}}
= 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/152954.html |title=All Blacks edge out France for World Cup glory |publisher=ESPNscrum |last=Jenkins |first=Graham |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=23 October 2011}} 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".{{cite news |title=Too much hoopla over haka: All Black great |url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/too-much-hoopla-over-haka-all-black-great-20111025-1mi6d.html |last=Robinson |first=Georgina |access-date=26 October 2011 |date=26 October 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}} They were later fined £2,500 by the IRB for crossing the half-way line,{{cite news |title=Rugby World Cup 2011: France fined for advancing on New Zealand's haka before final kick-off |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/france/8847514/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-France-fined-for-advancing-on-New-Zealands-haka-before-final-kick-off.html |access-date=26 October 2011 |date=25 October 2011 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Brendan |last=Gallagher}} a decision that was labeled "pedantic" and the "final insult".{{cite web |title=World media call France haka fine 'final insult' |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/5853198/World-media-call-France-haka-fine-final-insult |access-date=26 October 2011 |date=26 October 2011 }}
= First half =
In a match of "grim physical attrition",{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/new-zealand-win-rugby-world-cup-2374892.html |title=New Zealand win Rugby World Cup |work=The Independent |last=McMorran |first=Steve |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=23 October 2011 |location=London |archive-date=24 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024022931/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/new-zealand-win-rugby-world-cup-2374892.html |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/matches/match=11235/report.html |title=All Blacks survive scare to clinch Cup |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=23 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024053835/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/matches/match%3D11235/report.html |archive-date=24 October 2011 }} 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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15405316.stm |title=2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=23 October 2011}} 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 =
File:Thierry Dusautoir..jpg was named man of the match.]]The French came back into the game in the second half, although it did not begin well for them: Dimitri Yachvili missed the team's first penalty attempt after two minutes, and Stephen Donald pushed New Zealand further into the lead by successfully kicking a penalty two minutes later. The French reacted straight away: Trinh-Duc made a run towards the line, and after several attempts, Dusautoir scored a try, which Trinh-Duc converted to take the score to 8–7. Trinh-Duc attempted a penalty kick from 48 metres in the 65th minute, but missed the goal, and thereafter there were few chances for either side. The French captain, Dusautoir, who was described as "enjoying a heroic game in defence" by The Daily Telegraph{{'}}s Brendan Gallagher, was named man of the match.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8844197/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-New-Zealand-8-France-7-match-report.html |title=Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand 8 France 7: match report |work=telegraph.co.uk |date=23 October 2011 |last=Gallagher |first=Brendan |access-date=23 October 2011 |location=London}}
Another historic milestone occurred when Jean-Marc Doussain came on as a late substitute for France. He became the first player ever to make his test debut in a Rugby World Cup Final.{{cite press release |url=http://www.irb.com/jwc/news/newsid=2060448.html#first+juniors+rwc+2011 |title=First for Juniors at RWC 2011 |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=1 November 2011 |access-date=8 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103235555/http://www.irb.com/jwc/news/newsid=2060448.html#first+juniors+rwc+2011 |archive-date=3 November 2011}}
Match details
{{rugbybox
|date = 23 October 2011
|team1 = {{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}
|score = 7–8
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20120415143117/http://www.rwc2011.irb.com/home/matches/match%3D11235/index.html Report]
|team2 = {{ru|NZL}}
|try1 = Dusautoir 47' c
|con1 = Trinh-Duc (1/1)
|try2 = Woodcock 15' m
|pen2 = Donald (1/1) 46'
|stadium = Eden Park, Auckland
|referee = Craig Joubert (South Africa)
}}
| width=92% |
| {{Football kit
|pattern_la = _francerugby11a |pattern_b =_francerugby11a |pattern_ra =_francerugby11a |pattern_sh = |pattern_so = |leftarm = FFFFFF |body = FFFFFF |rightarm = FFFFFF |shorts = FFFFFF |socks = FFFFFF |title = France }} |{{Football kit | pattern_la = _allblacks1112h | pattern_b = _allblacks1112h | pattern_ra = _allblacks1112h | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = _3_stripes_white | leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = 000000 | socks = 000000 |title = New Zealand }} |
| width="100%"
|valign="top" width="50%"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" | ||||||
| width="25"| | width="25"| | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FB | 15 | Maxime Médard | ||||
| RW | 14 | Vincent Clerc | {{suboff|46}} | |||
| OC | 13 | Aurélien Rougerie | ||||
| IC | 12 | Maxime Mermoz | ||||
| LW | 11 | Alexis Palisson | ||||
| FH | 10 | Morgan Parra | colspan="2"| {{blood bin|12|18}} | {{suboff|23}} | ||
| SH | 9 | Dimitri Yachvili | {{suboff|76}} | |||
| N8 | 8 | Imanol Harinordoquy | ||||
| BF | 7 | Julien Bonnaire | ||||
| OF | 6 | Thierry Dusautoir (c) | ||||
| RL | 5 | Lionel Nallet | ||||
| LL | 4 | Pascal Papé | {{suboff|70}} | |||
| TP | 3 | Nicolas Mas | ||||
| HK | 2 | William Servat | {{suboff|65}} | |||
| LP | 1 | Jean-Baptiste Poux | {{suboff|65}} | |||
| colspan=3|Replacements: | ||||||
| HK | 16 | Dimitri Szarzewski | {{subon|65}} | |||
| PR | 17 | Fabien Barcella | {{subon|65}} | |||
| LK | 18 | Julien Pierre | {{subon|70}} | |||
| FL | 19 | Fulgence Ouedraogo | ||||
| SH | 20 | Jean-Marc Doussain | {{subon|76}} | |||
| FH | 21 | François Trinh-Duc | {{subon|12}} | {{suboff|18}} | {{subon|23}} | |
| FB | 22 | Damien Traille | {{subon|46}} | |||
| colspan=3|Coach: | ||||||
| colspan="4"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Marc Lièvremont |
|valign="top"|350px
|valign="top" width="50%"|
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" | ||||
| width="25"| | width="25"| | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg | ||
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane | ||
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | ||
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu | {{suboff|76}} | |
| LW | 11 | Richard Kahui | ||
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | {{suboff|34}} | |
| SH | 9 | Piri Weepu | {{suboff|50}} | |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read | ||
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) | ||
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | ||
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock | {{suboff|49}} | |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn | ||
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | ||
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | {{suboff|49}} | |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock | ||
| colspan=3|Replacements: | ||||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore | {{subon|49}} | |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | ||
| LK | 18 | Ali Williams | {{subon|49}} | |
| FL | 19 | Adam Thomson | ||
| SH | 20 | Andy Ellis | {{subon|50}} | |
| FH | 21 | Stephen Donald | {{subon|34}} | |
| CE | 22 | Sonny Bill Williams | {{subon|76}} | |
| colspan=3|Coach: | ||||
| colspan="4"|{{flagicon|NZL}} Graham Henry |
|}
| width=100% style="font-size: 90%"
| Man of the Match:
Touch judges:
|
Statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | ||
| width=150|
!width=90|New Zealand !width=90|France | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tries | 1 | 1 |
| Conversions | 0 | 1 |
| Penalties (attempts) | 1(3) | 0(2) |
| Drop goals (attempts) | 0(0) | 0(1) |
| Scrums (won/lost) | (7/0) | (6/0) |
| Line-outs (won/lost) | (14/2) | (15/2) |
| Turnovers | 3 | 4 |
| Tackles (made/attempts) | (111/120) | (87/97) |
| Line breaks | 2 | 2 |
| Possession | 45% | 55% |
| Territory | 45% | 55% |
| Time in opp. 22 | 4'34" | 6'35" |
| Errors (hands/kicks/restart) | (3/2/1) | (7/3/0) |
| Possession kicked (in play/touch/errors) | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties conceded | 7 | 10 |
| Replacements | 5 | 7 |
| Yellow cards | 0 | 0 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="3"|Reference: IRB{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/matches/match=11235/statistics.html |title=2011 Rugby World Cup Final: Match Stats |publisher=International Rugby Board |access-date=23 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025101535/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/matches/match%3D11235/statistics.html |archive-date=25 October 2011 }} |
Refereeing controversy
Craig Joubert's refereeing was heavily criticised by the French team{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/breves2011/20111023_170736_l-incomprehension.html|title=L'incompréhension (in French)|date=23 October 2011|work=L'Equipe|access-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102230205/http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/breves2011/20111023_170736_l-incomprehension.html|archive-date=2 January 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/rugby/2011/10/24/02002-20111024ARTSPO00435-les-bleus-frustres-par-l-arbitrage.php|title=Les Bleus frustrés par l'arbitrage (in French)|date=24 October 2011|work=Le Figaro|access-date=2 June 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/153014.html|title=Furious French hit out at Craig Joubert|date=2 June 2013|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=2 June 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/french-media-les-bleus-feel-robbed-4481846|title=French Media: Les Bleus feel robbed|date=2 June 2013|work=TVNZ|access-date=2 June 2013}} and many international observers.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/rugby/article-24001600-all-blacks-emerge-from-the-trenches-smiling.do |title=All Blacks emerge from the trenches smiling |date=24 October 2011 |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=2 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231022558/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/rugby/article-24001600-all-blacks-emerge-from-the-trenches-smiling.do |archive-date=31 December 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/article2751268.ece|title=Sad kiss for Bill from French hero|date=24 October 2011|work=Johannesburg Times|access-date=2 June 2013}} 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".{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-world-cup/long-dark-cloud-lifts-as-all-blacks-close-the-door-on-24-years-of-pain-20111023-1meoz.html|title=Long dark clouds lifts as All Blacks close the door on 24 years of pain|last=Growden|first=Greg|date=24 October 2011|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2 June 2013}} 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".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/world-cup/comment/hugh-farrelly-a-final-word-from-down-under-2914704.html|title=A final word from Down Under|date=23 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=2 June 2013}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.lerugbynistere.fr/news/le-debrief-de-joel-jutge--vis-ma-vie-de-craig-joubert--.php|title=Vis ma vie de Craig Joubert » - Le débrief de Joël Jutge|work= Le Rugbynistère|date=2 November 2011 }}
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.McCaw, Richie and McGee, Greg, The Open Side published Hachette New Zealand LtdHowitt, Bob, Graham Henry: The Final World published Harper Collins Limited 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/richie-mccaw-breaks-silence-on-eye-gouge-20111206-1og0j.html|title=Richie McCaw breaks silence on eye gouge|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 December 2011 }}
Dramatisation
In July 2013, it was announced that a made-for-TV movie, to be called "The Kick", would be made.{{cite web |title=Movie planned on Donald's winning kick |date=4 July 2013 |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/213687/movie-planned-on-donald's-winning-kick |publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date=4 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221033834/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/213687/movie-planned-on-donald%27s-winning-kick |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live }} 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".{{cite web|title=Donald's heroic kick to be made into movie|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/8877764/Donalds-heroic-kick-to-be-made-into-movie|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|access-date=4 July 2013}} David de Lautour was cast as Donald.{{cite news|title=Actor to play Stephen Donald revealed|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/9793035/Actor-to-play-Stephen-Donald-revealed|access-date=11 August 2014|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=5 March 2014}} The movie debuted on New Zealand television on 10 August 2014.{{cite news |title=The Kick – So bad it's good, or just bad? |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/blogs/couch-potato/10369225/The-Kick-So-bad-its-good-or-just-bad |access-date=11 August 2014 |publisher=stuff.co.nz |date=11 August 2014 }}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|2011 Rugby World Cup final France vs New Zealand|2011 Rugby World Cup Final}}
{{2011 Rugby World Cup}}
{{Rugby Union World Cup}}
{{France national rugby union team}}
{{New Zealand national rugby union team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:World Cup}}
Category:2011–12 in French rugby union
Category:France national rugby union team matches
Category:New Zealand national rugby union team matches
Category:History of rugby union matches between France and New Zealand