England go 12 rounds with France and win on points
Chris O'Keefe
Two heavyweights went to war in Paris on Saturday night and the Stade De France might as well have become Madison Square Garden for the night. One thing is for certain. It was the fight of the century where souls where sacrificed and so where bodies. Not pretty, but a war of attrition.
The first round, Les Bleus lower their guard to a box kick - a preverbial jab if you will - Damien Traille pays with a huge blow from Josh Lewsey. Taking the retaliation, Lewsey powers through, first blood England.
France go to their jab, their fly half, the loose play, constantly chipping away at the English guard. Chabal, the French equivalent of the haymaker knockout blow, is entered into the fray. Can the impact player make the impact this far out from the final whistle?
Only a couple of kicks, light hits, not damaging. England now behind on points, and heading for the ropes. France put more points on the scorecard, but not England to the sword. Chabal, pounding away, England standing tall and taking the punishment. Then the cross-field kick.
Imanol Harinordiquy, taps back and Vincent Clerc has an open target. The killer punch, surely? Enter Joe Worsley, his own tap, Clerc's ankles lose his balance and the chance seems gone. Chabal trying to hit through the rearguard, not to be. The referee intervenes and England breathe again.
Now England believe they can snatch the honours with their counter punching. Wilkinson a rapier boot, normally, is off target, but for how long? Not long at all, as Robinson takes a blow to head for his trouble. Jonny, with precision, strikes and French heads begin to drop. 11-9 in the final exchanges. Then Chabal the menace, the brut, the player to fear gets in trouble with the referee for an illegal shot. Not only had heads dropped but France were losing theirs with indiscipline.
A kick to touch and England tried to set up the killer blow, the inevitable shot that everyone knows, opponents try to stop it but still fail to succeed. Jonny Wilkinson's boot. He nearly got through with a right foot effort early in the second half but was denied by the post. France were still standing. However, when England pounded away with the travelling maul setting up the final punch. Wilkinson getting into position, delivers with a kick travelling alomst in slow motion.
France on the canvas and need a knockout blow. England hold out to the final bell and the referee confirms it. They've beaten their heavyweight rivals for the crown and one win away from eternal glory.
It may not have been pretty, indeed it was brutal but it was an interesting spectacle and a test of resolve and commitment to the cause. You can keep your Rumbles in the Jungle and Thriller's in Manila, this was the heavyweight contest to behold. Next week, there's another one...somebody should call Don King really!
Two heavyweights went to war in Paris on Saturday night and the Stade De France might as well have become Madison Square Garden for the night. One thing is for certain. It was the fight of the century where souls where sacrificed and so where bodies. Not pretty, but a war of attrition.
The first round, Les Bleus lower their guard to a box kick - a preverbial jab if you will - Damien Traille pays with a huge blow from Josh Lewsey. Taking the retaliation, Lewsey powers through, first blood England.
France go to their jab, their fly half, the loose play, constantly chipping away at the English guard. Chabal, the French equivalent of the haymaker knockout blow, is entered into the fray. Can the impact player make the impact this far out from the final whistle?
Only a couple of kicks, light hits, not damaging. England now behind on points, and heading for the ropes. France put more points on the scorecard, but not England to the sword. Chabal, pounding away, England standing tall and taking the punishment. Then the cross-field kick.
Imanol Harinordiquy, taps back and Vincent Clerc has an open target. The killer punch, surely? Enter Joe Worsley, his own tap, Clerc's ankles lose his balance and the chance seems gone. Chabal trying to hit through the rearguard, not to be. The referee intervenes and England breathe again.
Now England believe they can snatch the honours with their counter punching. Wilkinson a rapier boot, normally, is off target, but for how long? Not long at all, as Robinson takes a blow to head for his trouble. Jonny, with precision, strikes and French heads begin to drop. 11-9 in the final exchanges. Then Chabal the menace, the brut, the player to fear gets in trouble with the referee for an illegal shot. Not only had heads dropped but France were losing theirs with indiscipline.
A kick to touch and England tried to set up the killer blow, the inevitable shot that everyone knows, opponents try to stop it but still fail to succeed. Jonny Wilkinson's boot. He nearly got through with a right foot effort early in the second half but was denied by the post. France were still standing. However, when England pounded away with the travelling maul setting up the final punch. Wilkinson getting into position, delivers with a kick travelling alomst in slow motion.
France on the canvas and need a knockout blow. England hold out to the final bell and the referee confirms it. They've beaten their heavyweight rivals for the crown and one win away from eternal glory.
It may not have been pretty, indeed it was brutal but it was an interesting spectacle and a test of resolve and commitment to the cause. You can keep your Rumbles in the Jungle and Thriller's in Manila, this was the heavyweight contest to behold. Next week, there's another one...somebody should call Don King really!
Picture: IrishRugby.ie
posted by C O'K @ 9:45 pm
<< Home