THE RUGBY WORLD CUP (2)

Perennial favourites New Zealand finally won the rugby world cup yesterday for the first time since the inaugural one in 1987. Like then, it took place against France in front of an adoring home crowd at Eden Park, Auckland, a place where they are almost invincible.

Yet it was a damn close-run thing, reflected in the 8-7 victory score. Indeed, if France had kicked an (admittedly very long) penalty with 16 minutes remaining, then one of the greatest ever upsets might well have happened.

France were a revelation. While New Zealand had romped through their pool matches, defeating France by 20 points along the way, and then comprehensively beating first Argentina and then Australia in the knock-out stages, les Bleus had seemed all at sea. Not only had they lost to New Zealand in their pool match, but they were also defeated by minnows Tonga. In the quarter-finals, they soundly beat a very unimpressive England, but then only scraped through to the final by beating Wales 9-8 in the semi-final, a game they should have lost by some distance, if only Wales had found their kicking boots. Going into the final, New Zealand were the odds-on favourites.

The only people who didn't seem to agree with that judgement were the French. After falling 8-0 behind, they scored a converted try with 30 minutes remaining, and then piled on the pressure. In the end, it was New Zealand's defence that won the day, since France had the better of both possession and territory (55 to 45).

And so the cup returns to the country for whom rugby is almost a religion. France, losing finalists for the third time, will be left to rue what might have been, their only consolation being the award of player of the year to their captain and tryscorer Thierry Dusautoir.

Walter Blotscher