Rugby World Cup: Does French defeat of New Zealand signal a power shift?
Watching the All Blacks lose at World Cups is a sport in itself, writes JULIAN LINDEN, and the Wallabies can find more than schadenfreude from the result.
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The unpredictable beauty of the Rugby World Cup always goes two ways.
On one hand, France’s stunning 27-13 victory over New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament is perhaps the first sign that the southern hemisphere’s long domination of the tournament may be coming to a shuddering halt.
Once unchallenged as the best provincial competition in the world, the rapid drop in the playing standards of Super Rugby has seen the balance of power shift north of the equator.
Nowhere was this more brutally demonstrated than by France’s demolition job on the Kiwis.
Les Bleus beat the All Blacks everywhere it mattered, physically, tactically and in their hearts.
While it’s not the end of the road for the All Blacks because they remain odds-on to safely qualify for the knockout phase, the result has already transformed the tournament in the blink of an eye.
In each of the nine previous Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks had never lost a pool game. Now they look vulnerable and uncertain.
History shows that’s not necessarily a death knell.
Four years ago, South Africa won their third World Cup after dropping their opening match, against New Zealand, and getting it right when it mattered.
England (1991 and 2007) and France (2011) have also all gone on to reach finals after slipping up in the group stage.
Even so, that’s a sobering reminder to the Wallabies to be on their guard.
So, while it’s premature to write of our Tasman neighbours yet, the celebrations should be kept to a minimum because there are good and bad signs for the Wallabies.
Perhaps the biggest lift it will give the Wallabies is seeing the glum look on the faces of the All Blacks players.
Watching the All Blacks lose at World Cups is a sport in itself because no team in world rugby pumps their own chests more than the Kiwis and takes defeats harder.
Relying as much on intimidation as skill to terrify their opponents, they strut the world stage like it’s their own private stage so whenever they lose, it gives everyone else a lift.
This should include the Wallabies.
Already tipped to be the most open Rugby World Cup ever, France’s win is the early proof that the greatest trophy in rugby is there for the taking – for the team which wants it the most.
As the French showed the 80,000 fans in the Stade de France and the millions watching on television, past form and reputation counts for nothing if teams don’t deliver when it matters.
For months, the Wallabies have been trying to reassure everyone their dodgy form this year – five losses on the trot – is irrelevant because it’s what teams do when the blowtorch is applied that really matters.
It sounds like a cop out but it’s true and on that front, the Wallabies should take a lot of confidence from watching the way the French raised their game.
It wasn’t perfect. Some of the kicking out of hand became tedious to watch but it was old school guts and glory, reminding the Wallabies about the power of being patient and sticking to their plan even when it doesn’t look like paying off.
Three times, the French came from behind to take the lead. When they did for the final time, the contest was as good as over.
That alone vindicated Rugby Australia’s decision to part ways with Dave Rennie and appoint Eddie Jones.
Criticised at the time, it was a bold decision but one that could pay off handsomely with the Wallabies gifted a comparatively softer draw at the World Cup.
The test now is whether they can capitalise on it.
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Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Does French defeat of New Zealand signal a power shift?
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