European rugby's V-Day

Has European rugby ever known a greater day than Saturday?

For decades, the southern hemisphere has dominated the world of rugby. There have been five Rugby World Cups since the tournament's inception in 1987 and Britain’s ex-colonies in the south have won four of them – two for Australia, one for New Zealand and one for South Africa.

These three sides entered this world cup, which France is hosting, as overwhelming favourites. The New Zealand All Blacks, who have won 38 of their last 43 matches, were not only expected to win the cup but win it in style.

This script was ripped up Saturday when France and England sent shockwaves through the world of rugby by beating New Zealand and Australia respectively.

It is difficult to over-exaggerate the feat of Europe’s two elite national sides. Both France and England started the world cup as arch outsiders and confirmed their status by losing their opening games. In the very first match of the cup, reigning Six Nations champions France were roundly beaten by Argentina in their national stadium in Paris. England started their world cup defence by receiving a drubbing at the hands of South Africa. The two sides’ subsequent pool matches against world cup minnows matches were hardly convincing.

Yet on Saturday England tore Australia apart in a thrilling match that was not settled until the final seconds. The score said the British side won 12-10, but this was no narrow victory. England humiliated the Wallabies by beating them at their own aggressive, macho game. They failed to score a try, but they came close on at least three occasions. They were deserved winners.

France were always the only European side that had a chance of beating New Zealand. They are the All Blacks bete noire, having triumphed over the South Sea island side in 1999 and 2000. But few commentators seriously expected them to win against the bookies favourites in Cardiff Saturday.

The All Blacks dominated the first half, leading 13-3 at the interval. But France responded in magisterial style with a stunning break away try master minded by substitute outside half Frederic Michalak. ‘Les Bleus’ have always been mercurial, but during the last 10 minutes, when they were forced to defend their narrow against an All Black side camped on their line, they proved why they now also the most disciplined side in Europe.

The All Blacks, the most successful side the world of rugby has ever seen, were convincingly beaten by a brilliant but erratic French team. New Zealand, a nation that lives for rugby, will be in a national funk for four more years.

England and France will now play each other in the semi-final, booking at least one European side's place in the world cup final on October 19th. It is entirely possible that whichever side makes it to the final will lose against either Argentina or South Africa. But even if this does happen, and given the Springboks pedestrian performance against Fiji in the third quarter final this seems unlikely, European rugby will be able to hold its head high once more.