One game at a time, of course …
As this morning it builds towards the next turn of the screw – its second semi-final between South Africa and Wales this morning – this momentous 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with its infectious, joyous, festival atmosphere is proceeding towards its climax a week hence accompanied by a growing and inevitable crescendo of celebration, anticipation, disbelief, wonder and excitement … together with a glorious reaffirmation of the spirit of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘twin imposters’ (Triumph and Disaster, from his poem If [circa 1895]) that underpins contests in every great sport known to Man.
I composed and signed off my opening paragraph above – mindful that it may well feature in the Pseuds’ Corner section of the next edition of the iconic UK’s satirical magazine Private Eye – but without hesitation after England’s sensational 19-7 victory over New Zealand in Yokahama yesterday.
Personally I watched the game on television – from the commencement of ITV’s preview coverage at 7.30am to the final knockings shortly after 11.0am – in the company of family, friends and neighbours, having been fortified by a substantial full cooked breakfast featuring fried bread, fried egg, bacon, sausage, black pudding and baked beans laced with brown sauce. A more idyllic set-up it would have been hard to imagine.
After the epic of the day was over I deliberately avoided sports reports like the plague for the remainder of the daylight hours.
That said, ever since the clocks went back an hour at 2.00am this Sunday morning, I have been surfing the internet to review a cross-section of the world’s rugby media reactions to the reigning world champions’ defeat but without bothering to read any of them in detail.
At times like these every sports fan who watched a game ‘live’ (whether in the stadium or on television) will have their own view upon why the match unfolded as it did and the verdict of any report/opinion piece they read with be judged through the prism of their own perceptions.
Accordingly, I am left to share with Rusters but a few comments and observations.
Firstly – and obviously – huge congratulations to the England match day squad, head coach Eddie Jones and defence and scrum/lineout supremos Kiwi John Mitchell and Steve Borthwick.
When I tuned briefly to Radio Five Live yesterday I heard Alan Pardew – doing media work on the Manchester City v Aston Villa football Premier League game – being asked about England’s victory.
Pardew had spent a little time with Eddie Jones and the England squad during the last four years and was fulsome in his praise, commenting that from the outset Jones’ priority had never been the annual Six Nations contests but solely and exclusively the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final: “From a fellow sport’s perspective, full credit and congratulations to the England rugby squad – it will be a truly extraordinary achievement if they win the Final”.
And that brings me to my second point: not that for a moment will anyone in the England team now take their collective feet off the pedal.
No sporting tournament is over until the fat lady sings. This close to immortality not a man jack associated with the squad is going to relax until that precious Webb Ellis Trophy is raised aloft – assuming they ever earn the right to lift it.
Even the also-rans – I’m referring here to the likes of Ellis Genge, Jack Singleton, Piers Francis Joe Launchbury and last-minute bolters Lewis Ludlam, Ruarih McConnochie and Joe Cokanasiga who have barely figured on-field, if at all – will be as focused upon the ultimate goal as anyone.
Because Eddie Jones won’t allow otherwise.
He is a world class coach, famous for being a workaholic and harder on himself than anyone else.
One of his key attributes is that – the more intense the pressure – the more he loves it and steps up to meet it. He’s in his element now.
Finally, a word of tribute to the All Blacks and specifically Steve Hansen, their retiring coach.
I’ve always been impressed that – for an outfit that has dominated its sport like no other – the Kiwis remain humble.
From all-time great Richie McCaw downwards, win or lose, in their post-match interviews they always pay tribute to the opposition. And appear never to forget that, despite the cultural importance of rugby to everything they stand for, it’s still only a game.
Yesterday was a case in point.
No doubt Steve Hansen was hurting inside big-time when he pitched up for his post-match interview in the stadium.
But – when lobbed an opening question about the disappointment he must be feeling – he completely ignored it and said something like “Look – first I want to pay tribute to England, who played a magnificent game and thoroughly deserved their victory. I’m proud of my boys and all the effort and hard work they’ve put in, but today we came off second best and were beaten fair and square by the better team on the day. Well done to England, and I wish them every success in the Final.”
Now that’s class. It came direct for the core ethos of the game of rugby and from the man whose statistically has been one of – if not the – most successful All Black coach of all time.
Steve Hansen is a class act and hats should be taken off to him today.
