A tale of a Nation

The story of the New Zealand Allblacks is one that will forever be told around camp fires while roasting marsh mellows all across New Zealand. This will be the tale of how great the class of 2011 that won the William Webb Ellis Trophy on home soil.

This will be the tale of how courageous captain Ritchie McCaw was in leading his men to that ellusive World Cup title in 24 years. A story how coach Graham Henry lost his job after crashing out in the quarter finals in 2007 to the hands of France to re-gaining his job a week later and then leading his side to world cup glory. This will be a story of how Steven Donald kicked the winning points in the final at Eden Park.
All these stories will keep kids of the next generation in New Zealand interested and proud to be New Zealand citizens and part of a nation of such rich rugby talent and two world cup titles to their name.

The Allblacks came into the this tournament under enormous pressure from 4.2 million rugby mad population of the small pacific Island of New Zealand and to watch the emotion on the Allblacks fans faces on television after referee Craig Joubert blew the final whistle at Eden Park in Auckland was something very special to witness, tears of joy, relief, happiness, triumph, disbelief streemed down the faces of the 90 000 contingent that come to Eden Park to witness the Allblacks claim their 2nd World Cup title in 24 years. The Allblacks had to show some character after the loss of star flyhalf and playmaker Daniel Carter and reserve flyhalve Colin Slade, both suffering groin injuries, many wrote Graham Henry's side off to win the title but they believed in themselves and their abilities. Their replacements also gave a good account of themselves when the opportunity came, 22 year old Aaron Cruden don the important number 10 jersey after the demise of Dan Carter and proved to be a worthy replacement but unfortunately or fortunately injured his knee 30mins into the final and reserve flyhalf Steven Donald proved to be the catalist on the night of great history in New Zealand rugby.

The victory of the French team will never be forgotten in New Zealand and will go down as one of the greatest victories in Allblack history and rightly so. This is a tale of a great rugby nation indeed.

By: Philasande Sixaba
Picture: http://www.allblacks.com/news/17882/Exhausted-McCaw-wont-worry-about-foot-for-now