Thu 20 Oct 2011 | 02:07
Rugby World Cup Daily - Tana Umaga, France, and 1987

6
Comments

All Black legend Tana Umaga chats about facing the French in today's Rugby World Cup Daily, referee Craig Joubert opens up about what influenced him, and we get a look at what happened in the 1987 finals. 

All this week the talk has been about if France will turn up for the final. Cliches have been flying about thick and fast, but with good reason. France have underperformed in this World Cup, and that's an understatement. They've been written off as simply making up the numbers. 

As Tana Umaga touches on however, you can't count your cockrels before they hatch. Not even this side, a group that hobbled to the final, seem to have all sorts of inner struggles going on, and possess a coach who is more certain about his facial hair than who should play flyhalf. 

You can hear the pain in Umaga's voice, as he knows all too well that France are not only a talented side, but historically they've tormented the All Blacks. Judging by the body language and feeling coming out of their camp, they seem pretty determined to prove the doubters wrong.

Craig Joubert has the honour of officiating the match, and we get to hear how he got into refereeing, and what it's like to still be involved in rugby many years after he stopped playing. 

There's also a quick look at the third place playoff and final from 1987, also in New Zealand, and with the same four sides facing eachother. Back then Wales and the All Blacks won. In a few days time we'll get to see if history repeats itself. 

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6 Comments

  • frenchie
    12:46 AM 21/10/2011

    @ WelshOsprey
    Mate, you don't win a game because you deserve it. You win a game because you do the right things on the pitch; Warburton did a stupid thing when he tip tackled Clerc; full stop.
    Wales was the better team on the day but i don't think they deserved to win.

    By the way i hope Wales win the Aussies.

  • andrej
    8:25 PM 20/10/2011

    France doesn't deserve anything. But for some strange reason and sheer luck from alot of awful ugly games they are in. I have to say if France does win. Im jumping out a window. Cause life is unperdictable. Even the best teams can lose and for Wales to lose was already a heart break, but to see New Z lose would mean absolute insainity and a party in Paris never ever seen before?

  • welshosprey
    8:15 PM 20/10/2011

    France dont deserve shit

  • colombes
    7:16 PM 20/10/2011

    whatever the result, i just hope a great final, both teams
    both teams would deserve the title:

    if France win it, it would be the biggest upset of RWC history, an incredible fight-back despite the critics and it would send a good message to others non-anglosaxon rugby nations of the world

    if NZ win it, it would be completly deserved as they are the best nation since 4 years if not longer, this nation is rugby, and what a relieve it would be for them to win it 24 years

    can't wait sunday

  • stroudos
    6:10 PM 20/10/2011

    What are the French up to at 6:48?? Never seen that before. Looks like they've got their own haka-esque psyching up routine then?

  • irishbob
    5:19 PM 20/10/2011

    I hope the French show up and give them a game. The game needs a good show to sign off the world cup and showcase the sport around the world. Still like to see NZ win it, they deserve it for being the best team for the last four years at least.