Rugby World Cup Blog | Jonah Lomu | 2007

Down to the final

Mon Oct 15 11:27AM

Yesterday I went to Rugby Town and dedicated a sculpture designed by Gerald du Crest for the French foundation for Transplants Foundation Greffe de Vie. This sculpture along with three others will be auctioned in 2008 with all the proceeds going to the Foundation. As a recipient of a kidney transplant this is a cause close to my heart and I was very happy to have been able to assist with this.

It was a beautiful day in Paris yesterday, there was a marathon being run to aid in raising funds for cancer and there were bands playing and crowds of people cheering them on. My best friend from home and his wife arrived in and we had a great lunch at the Crillon together with some other Kiwis and of course it took some time for the conversation to move away from the All Blacks loss.

This was a highly anticipated game, the Argentineans being the newcomers to the World Cup and this year's surprise package. They have bought the Latin flavour to this World Cup with their colourful supporters, their songs, their smiles and their passion. Not only the supporters but the players as well. South Africa, one of the super powers of World rugby were expected to win but as many teams at this World Cup have shown nothing is a given, there have been some major upsets.

The game didn't get off to a good start for the Argentineans with Fourie du Preez scoring the first try, a fantastic individual effort came from an intercept when Argentina were deep in South African territory. Argentina's Felipe Contepomi had his good boots on and was able to keep them in the game and keep them in the game for a short time. South Africa's second try was a brilliant effort by Brian Habana and this took the game away from the Argentineans.

The tactics applied by the Argentineans were to attack them in the forwards, they tried the rolling maul but with the size and physique of the South Africans they were able to nullify these efforts and put Argentina on the back foot. Careless mistakes and a number of drop balls and knock ons were costly for the Argentineans especially against such an experienced South African side.

There were plenty of opportunities for Argentina in the first-half but they were unable to capitalise on them and continued to make errors producing penalties for the South Africans and with a kicking ace like Percy Montgomery nine times out of ten he is not going to miss the target. Percy had a great game and further cemented his position as top points scorer at the tournament.

The second-half was a bit of a let down due to ill discipline from both sides at the breakdown. I think advantage could have been given a bit more by the referee to both sides and the last quarter of the game saw two players given yellow cards, one for either side. It was a shame to see this happen and for their sides to be let down. That said for the most part the game was played in good spirits.

The game finished up at 37-13 with the Boks heading into the final and the opportunity to win the World Cup again, they last held it 12 years ago in that amazing moment in history where Nelson Mandela passed the Cup to Francois Pienaar. They now face England next week who are the current World Cup champions and who have surprised everyone with their turnaround. They last met the South Africans in pool play and were not even able to register a point. Next week's match is a different situation, it will be a test of will, want, heart and mind.

Argentina on the other hand go into Friday night's game for the third and fourth play-off, a repeat of the opening match back on September 7. This will be a measure of both teams to pull themselves up from the losses this week and to find the strength to play for their own pride and their countries pride.

Good luck to all the teams for next week, I'll be there at the final and look forward to the match.

SPECIAL MENTION: Congratulations to Brian Habana who has equalled my record of the most tries scored in one World Cup tournament.

NOTE TO FANS: Contrary to popular belief amongst many South African supporters I've met on this trip you are not the only the only country I have never scored against. Wales holds that title also!

Comments1 - 19 of 19

Go Go Go ...Sud Af. We like a spetacular Rugby not only based on a strong defense
From patricech on Mon Oct 15 12:46PM
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Great article jonah. Despite being a die hard springbok fan, as a kid i had your poster on my wall. I hope your return to rugby is sucessful, and that you get to play for the all blacks again, and score that try against wales (but not the boks!!!)
From owenmcmullen on Mon Oct 15 03:09PM
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when did you play wales?
From richard.dunn8 on Mon Oct 15 05:28PM
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I know you are going to be suprised and some of you from SA are going to be bitterly dissapointed by this time next week. The Lion hearts of the English players will not hand over this Trophy too easily. the spirit of St George will be on the field, we will slay the Dragon.
From jones197 on Mon Oct 15 06:04PM
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Dear Jonah, I was surprised to read here that you didn't score a try against South Africa or Wales. Did you ever score one against England? (only joking) Your column is great. Best wishes.
From camerajournal on Mon Oct 15 10:08PM
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i know Wales hold the title as well but how many time did you play Wales as compared to South Africa who you played year in and year out in the tri nations?With all due respect to you Jonah,i sense a bit of a negative vibe towards the Boks,is it because that loss in the Final was so heartbreaking such that you'd prefer Argentina in the final?You seem to note that South Africa where pushed to the limit by Tonga but quick to praise Englands turn Around,please be fair South Africa are undefeated in this competition they are playing better than everyone and when they win you shall be dissappointed as i know you will be routing for England.
From taf213 on Tue Oct 16 12:28PM
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Hi Jonah, i think ur article was fairly balanced. I remember reading u were once married to a girl from SA? Anyways, I am a die-hard Joel Stransky fan....i guess he is as loved in New Zealand as Ricky Ponting is loved here (heeheehee)..i think Johnny Wilkinson will be the only danger to the Boks, they have to make sure no drop goal wins the Cup for England. Although Boks have been having scrum issues, they are still strong enough to beat England.
From surajflower on Tue Oct 16 03:19PM
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Boks v uk...bye uk
From patricech on Tue Oct 16 05:55PM
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this was a good article. i love rugby and have a few things planned for the english when we beat them (since i live in the UK it will be so sweet! ha ha) but dont get me wrong, england will be tough and it will definately not be a walk over like it was in the pool stages. i am glad though. i would like the final to resemble that of the 1995 world cup, that was such a nail-biter (even though i was only 8 at the time i remember it well!). good luck to everyone and may the best team win! COME ON THE BOKS!!!
From lmdavis16 on Tue Oct 16 08:27PM
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I think all Rugby nations have one thing in common, they love Try's and winning. While watching the Matches (at 03h00 in the morning as i am in China) I noticed that all the Top teams in the last 8 only played deffensive Rugby, And kicking Rugby, The only real effort to score points was through Drop kicks, Many wasted Try Opportunitys, South Africa Was one team who, worked at try Scoring, Yence The fact that, they have scored more try's from the quater finals, Than The other 7 teams Combined, That is the reason, they are in the final, England are there like (winning at pool, if the opponent sincs the black ball.)
to read a real rugby blog try keo.co.za
From garth.cargin on Wed Oct 17 09:00AM
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Hi Jonah! What do you think about the FINAL? Who will be the world champion?
GO ENGLAND!
From szelezsan on Thu Oct 18 07:33PM
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Jonah, I have followed your blog throughout the World Cup - thank you for keeping us all updated; I lived in Cardiff during your playing days for that great side and have always been a fan of yours; keep up the great work,
Mike Lawrence
From mikelawrence96 on Fri Oct 19 12:59PM
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Good to see you're so well and able to enjoy life. Do you still play your car stereo so loud? I got out of bed one night to tell you to turn it down. . . . . . . then I saw who it was, and thought I can't even run faster than you. So went back to bed and put a pillow in the wife's mouth. Oct. 1999 Camberley. Hazlehurst Hotel.. Mike.
From lynetteshaw on Fri Oct 19 01:13PM
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England are going win the World Cup!The drop goal kings again!
From tbunia on Fri Oct 19 01:44PM
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England are the 2007 World champions!
From tbunia on Fri Oct 19 01:46PM
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Hi Jonah, congratulations on your gracious and balanced writing thorughout the World Cup. I'm English, and perhaps symapthise with your facing some of the arrogant SAfrican comments I've seen on your site. Whereas I respect NZealand rugby and their admirable approach to the game, to beat the Springboks (however improbable it may seem) would seem so sweet as a victory for the game as ti surely should be approached, without arrogance or bitterness. However you see it, I enjoyed your writing and your rugby. (38 year-old English player in Greece!)
From rogerthegoodwin on Fri Oct 19 05:49PM
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Stop Whinging about wanting spectacular S.A. rugby to triumph over the supposedly boring 1 dimensional game that we English play.
We've seen what happens to the teams who can't do the basics well, they've gone home.
You may have the sprinters and the flair players and you may think you've got it all sewn up and our crown is as good as yours.
Not without a fight !!!
Come on England and good luck to the Boks (you are going to need it)
From bodachi1 on Sat Oct 20 03:52AM
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Oh and Jonah Lomu has my vote for world president.
From bodachi1 on Sat Oct 20 03:57AM
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Hey Jonah! Have to say that this is a great blog. Im a South African and I remembered when the Sprinboks played the All Blacks we always feared when you got the ball! (I think all the other countries did). Sad that the All Blacks left the RWC 2007 in such a way, we South Africans always respect and fear the All Blacks side. Im just happy that we won RWC 2007..... YEAH BABY!!
From edward_john_muller on Sun Oct 21 01:06AM
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