by Seb Martin
The Rugby World Cup 2019 was billed as the most competitive and anticipated rugby event in history, and did not fail to deliver. Big upsets, electric players and exceptional tries turned out to be the perfect ingredients for a thrilling tournament.
The tournament got off to a flying start with an immense battle between New
Zealand and South Africa which ended in a win for the All Blacks and set the
bar high for the rest of the teams. The highlights of the group games were
Japan beating Ireland on home turf, England running out convincing winners
against a strong Argentina side, and Wales edging out Fiji in an immense
physical battle which resulted in the birth of one of the stars of the world
cup, Radradra, who lit up the stage with his physical presence and pace.
Some say George North is still trying to catch him.
As the tournament progressed into the knockout stages the predictions started coming in thick and fast: ‘New Zealand are too strong', 'England look scintillating', 'South Africa are too one dimensional’. England and New Zealand backed up these statements by recording huge wins over Australia and Ireland, and scoring some of the best tries of the tournament. This set up the semi final between arguably the two best teams in the tournament, England vs New Zealand, Jones vs Hansen, a battle of wits.
On the other side of the draw Wales rather unconvincingly despatched a French team hindered by personal errors, while South Africa suppressed Japan’s expansive style and won through pure brute force. It looked to many, following the quarter finals, that the winner of England vs New Zealand would ultimately be tournament champions and that it would be the game of the World Cup.
Moving into the semi finals and one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in rugby World Cup history, the stage was set, and the match lived up to its billing. Although not the highest-scoring match, it was a tense tactical battle, with England producing a masterclass to edge out the ‘mighty’ All Blacks 19-7. It was described by experts as the best tactical performance from a coach in recent rugby history, and slammed England into the final.
All eyes now turned to the South Africa vs Wales match to see who would meet England in the final. Although it was a tense and enthralling game at times, Wales were outdone, particularly by the boot of Handre Pollard; they came painfully close to reaching their first-ever World Cup final, but, alas, it was not to be.
The Final: what four years of preparation, sacrifice and hard work all boils down to for two of the biggest and proudest rugby nations. Losing just simply isn’t an option they will consider - but one team will have to.
It quickly turned into a nightmare for England. Injury in the two opening minutes was the forerunner to a steady decline in morale and play. Nothing clicked; the players looked tired and burnt out, the game plan was wrong. The smallest of margins allowed South Africa to win the game, with missed kicks to touch, slipping off tackles and knock-ons all barring England’s way to a second chance to lift that illustrious Webb Ellis trophy.
All credit has to go to South Africa, however, with a brilliantly executed game plan and fantastic individual performances from stars of the tournament such as Chelsie Kolbe They were the deserved victors, holding aloft the trophy and making their nation so proud.
Overall the Rugby World Cup was a huge success, drawing in millions of new fans worldwide and producing some amazing rugby. it also highlighted the superb hosting capability of Japan who managed to rise above the devastating impact of the typhoon in Tokyo and the surrounding area and support the visiting teams warmly. The event was a huge success and a fantastic tournament to watch.
The Rugby World Cup 2019 was billed as the most competitive and anticipated rugby event in history, and did not fail to deliver. Big upsets, electric players and exceptional tries turned out to be the perfect ingredients for a thrilling tournament.
 |
| Semi Radradra |
Some say George North is still trying to catch him.
As the tournament progressed into the knockout stages the predictions started coming in thick and fast: ‘New Zealand are too strong', 'England look scintillating', 'South Africa are too one dimensional’. England and New Zealand backed up these statements by recording huge wins over Australia and Ireland, and scoring some of the best tries of the tournament. This set up the semi final between arguably the two best teams in the tournament, England vs New Zealand, Jones vs Hansen, a battle of wits.
On the other side of the draw Wales rather unconvincingly despatched a French team hindered by personal errors, while South Africa suppressed Japan’s expansive style and won through pure brute force. It looked to many, following the quarter finals, that the winner of England vs New Zealand would ultimately be tournament champions and that it would be the game of the World Cup.
Moving into the semi finals and one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in rugby World Cup history, the stage was set, and the match lived up to its billing. Although not the highest-scoring match, it was a tense tactical battle, with England producing a masterclass to edge out the ‘mighty’ All Blacks 19-7. It was described by experts as the best tactical performance from a coach in recent rugby history, and slammed England into the final.
All eyes now turned to the South Africa vs Wales match to see who would meet England in the final. Although it was a tense and enthralling game at times, Wales were outdone, particularly by the boot of Handre Pollard; they came painfully close to reaching their first-ever World Cup final, but, alas, it was not to be.
The Final: what four years of preparation, sacrifice and hard work all boils down to for two of the biggest and proudest rugby nations. Losing just simply isn’t an option they will consider - but one team will have to.
It quickly turned into a nightmare for England. Injury in the two opening minutes was the forerunner to a steady decline in morale and play. Nothing clicked; the players looked tired and burnt out, the game plan was wrong. The smallest of margins allowed South Africa to win the game, with missed kicks to touch, slipping off tackles and knock-ons all barring England’s way to a second chance to lift that illustrious Webb Ellis trophy.
All credit has to go to South Africa, however, with a brilliantly executed game plan and fantastic individual performances from stars of the tournament such as Chelsie Kolbe They were the deserved victors, holding aloft the trophy and making their nation so proud.
Overall the Rugby World Cup was a huge success, drawing in millions of new fans worldwide and producing some amazing rugby. it also highlighted the superb hosting capability of Japan who managed to rise above the devastating impact of the typhoon in Tokyo and the surrounding area and support the visiting teams warmly. The event was a huge success and a fantastic tournament to watch.
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