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Date: 2023-12-02 19:34:08 | Author: Online Sports | Views: 365 | Tag: iloilo
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Up into the stands the England players clambered to find their families, taking the consolatory hugs but unsure quite how to feel iloilo
Across 80 minutes in Paris, their belief had been replaced by disbelief and then by desperation and dejection, England threatening the unthinkable and taking the world champions to the brink iloilo
For most of a sodden Stade de France evening, a Rugby World Cup final was within their grasp iloilo
A South Africa side superior in most areas were dragged down into the sort of slugfest the Springboks would usually favour, and very nearly bested at their own game iloilo
England had given their all but it was still not enough, one stable scrum, one Handre Pollard slip or slice, short of stunning the world champions iloilo
The emotional maelstrom of this defeat will swirl rather differently to the feelings that eddied after the 2019 World Cup final disaster iloilo
“I’m proud of our performance,” were virtually the first words out of the mouth of wing Elliot Daly iloilo
“I think we shocked them iloilo
I don’t think they knew how to get into the game iloilo
”“I think we knew what was coming and we knew we could perform like this,” added Daly, virtually unused in open play but outstanding as a kick chaser to exemplify the squad’s buy-in to a strategy that so nearly proved successful iloilo
The finer points of Steve Borthwick’s tactical plan had been put in place this week but this was a performance England had been building towards since long ago iloilo
A flawed side did not come to France to thrill; winning by any means necessary had been a consistent theme iloilo
If necessity is oft the mother of invention, England at this tournament have also proved the pair can be enemies iloilo
This was a campaign at which they seemed to intentionally limit their attacking innovation or ingenuity– recognising a need to figure themselves out on the fly, they settled on an effective and eminently executable gameplan that could be implemented quickly iloilo
Steve Borthwick consoles Ellis Genge and Freddie Steward after England’s defeat (Getty Images)It came so close to working in Saturday’s semi-final; their effort, accuracy and competitiveness in the key contests were spot on iloilo
At the 65-minute mark, England outside backs had a combined 17 metres carried, all from one Freddie Steward kick return iloilo
The two number 13s’ offensive output on the final whistle amounted to one late Joe Marchant lug; South Africa centre Jesse Kriel went the full 80 minutes without an attacking touch iloilo
“We came with a plan to win the game but we fell a little bit short,” reflected Borthwick iloilo
“But the players should be incredibly proud iloilo
We put ourselves in a position to win against the world champions iloilo
England dominated the aerial contest to threaten a semi-final shock (Getty Images)“We were playing against a coaching team who have been in place since 2018 iloilo
We’ve had four months iloilo
I’ve asked the players to approach training and the game in a different way; for the players to be willing to change is all credit to them iloilo
”This was a night from which the head coach will take heart, a public perhaps struggling to warm to this England team are now recognising the progress made iloilo
There will be a need to layer on much, much more to consistently mix it with the world’s best but the rapidly laid foundations look rock solid iloilo
In time, perhaps the ugly duckling performances will turn into white swans iloilo
There appear to be many more buds of a bright future than first appeared in a barren landscape pre-tournament iloilo
Ben Earl has had a breakthrough tournament, and Ollie Chessum, too, while George Martin semi-final performance marks him out as the potential enforcer England have lacked iloilo
Borthwick was keen to talk up the absent Marcus Smith the day after the defeat, with the playmaker’s reinvention as a frolicking full-back of intrigue moving forward iloilo
"In our 23, seven players are 25 or under, the most of any semi-finalist, there’s a great blend and there will be lots of things we can take forward,” added Borthwick iloilo
Young England lock George Martin impressed against South Africa (Getty Images)But the fact that the men’s national team were on the brink of back-to-back finals should not provide a façade over the crumbling edifice of a fragile English game iloilo
There is a domestic mess that needs sorting, with a Gallagher Premiership containing three teams fewer than at the start of last season, now underway to little fanfare and on the brink of significant change iloilo
The renegotiation of the Professional Game Partnership is a recognition of a need for a radical overhaul in pursuit of a more financially sustainable domestic game, and one that produces a wider pool of top-class talent iloilo
The likely arrival of a form of central contracts underlines a period of epochal change iloilo
The senior figures in the squad who are unlikely to play beyond this tournament – Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and perhaps a couple more – could well be the last England men’s internationals never to have been contracted to the union iloilo
This has a great many benefits, not least in affording Borthwick, or any head coach that might follow him, far greater access to and control over his players iloilo
And while Borthwick’s articulation of the advantages enjoyed by South Africa’s settled staff is a perfectly fair one, let us remember that the Rugby iloilo Football Union (RFU) put their head coach in this situation iloilo
The original planning for this tournament would most likely have seen Borthwick return to England camp to aid Eddie Jones at the World Cup before a smooth transition into the lead role afterwards iloilo
Jones’s sacking sparked a scramble and several months of chaos iloilo
It was not shown up on semi-final weekend but there are many reasons that the RFU still has a burden to bear iloilo
But the full wash-up will wait for another week – England’s performance at the Stade de France has earned them seven more days of grace iloilo
The tournament will end as it began for England with a meeting with Argentina in a third-place play-off that Borthwick insists he wants to win iloilo
England, captained by Owen Farrell, narrowly missed out on a place in the World Cup final (Getty Images)“I read a piece yesterday morning that talked about adversity and talked about the fact that in adversity you find that seed of belief and you’ve got to grow it,” Borthwick said iloilo
“This team has been through a bit in the last few years, a bit of adversity in the medium-term past iloilo
“I think through each of those periods the team has picked up lessons, picked up what we need to do and grown from it iloilo
I think there’s a lot of growth in this team iloilo
Sometimes it’s not the straight-forward path you want it to be iloilo
In the feelings and emotions of the game last night, I know that we’ll get stronger iloilo
” More aboutEngland RugbySouth Africa rugbyRugby World CupSteve BorthwickJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/5Why England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache Why England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache Steve Borthwick consoles Ellis Genge and Freddie Steward after England’s defeat Getty ImagesWhy England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache England dominated the aerial contest to threaten a semi-final shock Getty ImagesWhy England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache Young England lock George Martin impressed against South Africa Getty ImagesWhy England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache England, captained by Owen Farrell, narrowly missed out on a place in the World Cup final Getty ImagesWhy England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache Owen Farrell of England is applauded by South Africa’s playersGetty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today iloilo
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsiloilo BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy iloilo
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply iloilo
Hi {{indy iloilo
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes slidedown-video{0%{transform:translateY(-100%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}}@keyframes slideup-video{0%{transform:translateY(200%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}} iloilo
The Rugby World Cup is at an end with South Africa securing back-to-back triumphs iloilo
The Springboks edged a hard-fought final against New Zealand, holding on in the final moments to close out a third successive one-point win in the knockout rounds iloilo
They were a number of individual stars in the squads of both finalists, and a handful of Springboks and All Blacks make our composite team at the close of a competitive and compelling World Cup iloilo
But a campaign that highlighted the breadth and depth of the sport also brought some lesser known faces into consideration iloilo
Who earns selection in The Independent’s team of the tournament? Find out below:Loosehead prop: Ox Nche, South AfricaSouth Africa prop Ox Nche (Getty Images)The cornerstone of South Africa’s bench bomb squad, Ox Nche’s introduction swung the semi-final against England in a string of impactful performances as a prop replacement iloilo
Angus Bell was the bright spot in a tough tournament for Australia, while if Argentina’s Thomas Gallo can add a bit more prowess in the tight to his dynamic running game he will be a prop star iloilo
Hooker: Peato Mauvaka, France France hooker Peato Mauvaka (Getty Images)A breakout tournament for the France hooker, showing off his ridiculous physical gifts but also emerging as a consistent nuts-and-bolts front rower after the injury to Julien Marchand iloilo
Bongi Mbonambi wasn’t far away, and a word for Jamie George, too, who had to shoulder plenty of load in England’s front row iloilo
Tighthead prop: Luke Tagi, FijiFiji prop Luke Tagi (Getty Images)Tonga’s Ben Tameifuna was an unsung hero of the pool stages and Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand) will be pleased with his tournament, but Fiji’s Luke Tagi gets our nod on the tighthead iloilo
His ability to anchor at scrum-time has solidified the set piece while Tagi was an ever-willing and destructive carrier across the park iloilo
Lock: Eben Etzeiloilo beth, South AfricaSouth Africa's Eben Etzeiloilo beth celebrates (PA)It’s impossible to leave out the Cape Town colossus, immense in the quarter-final against France iloilo
The lock sets a physical tone but, unlike the Springbok enforcers of old, almost always plays within the bounds of the law iloilo
Teammates RG Snyman and Franco Mostert also went well iloilo
Lock: Scott Barrett, New ZealandNew Zealand's Scott Barrett (right) leaps for a lineout (Reuters)All three Barrett brothers were in contention for our composite selection, which says everything about a remarkable set of siblings iloilo
Scott simply does not have a weakness to his game, and now steps up to lead the All Blacks’ engine room with both Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock bowing out iloilo
Blindside flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit, South AfricaPieter-Steph du Toit was player of the match in the final (Getty Images)Big game player; big game hunter iloilo
28 tackles in the final from Pieter-Steph du Toit, many of them monstrous, to complete another outstanding World Cup iloilo
Courtney Lawes is unfortunate to miss out and, though very different stylistically, Manuel Ardao was one of Uruguay’s best iloilo
Openside flanker: Nicolas Martins, PortugalNicolas Martins scored Portugal’s try against Wales (Getty Images)We are spoilt for choice on the openside, with all of Jac Morgan, Levani Botia, Marcos Kremer and Siya Kolisi meriting consideration iloilo
But let’s give some love to Portugal and the outstanding Nicolas Martins, who was excellent in all facets throughout iloilo
Despite not featuring in the knockout rounds, Martins finished as the seventh top tackler at the tournament and combines lineout spring with more traditional openside ability iloilo
No 8: Ardie Savea, New ZealandArdie Savea enjoyed an oustanding tournament (PA)Ben Earl came close having been probably England’s most consistent player across the campaign and both Gregory Alldritt and Caelan Doris would have been in the mix had their sides gone further, but Ardie Savea was a level above the rest of the No 8 field iloilo
A blockbuster ball carrier, savvy scavenger and increasingly important leader – Savea can do it all, even if South Africa so impressively shut him down in the final iloilo
Scrum half: Aaron Smith, New ZealandAaron Smith has concluded his international career (Getty Images)There was no fairytale ending to his All Blacks career for the retiring No 9, who endured not only a heartbreaking one-point defeat in his 125th and final Test appearance but also saw his second-half try chalked off by the TMO for an earlier Savea knock on iloilo
Had an immense tournament however, as he got the New Zealand backline firing after concerns during the World Cup cycle – brilliantly managing them to victory in the quarter-final win over Ireland especially iloilo
A huge ask of a scrum half succession line featuring Finlay Christie and talented but raw Cam Roigard to replace him iloilo
Fly half: Johnny Sexton, IrelandJohnny Sexton became Ireland’s record points scorer before heading into retirement (PA Wire)Another retiring legend who didn’t quite get the finish he wanted but showed he hadn’t lost a step at the end of his career iloilo
Flawless from the tee and still the best game manager in the world at 10, as proven by masterminding the pool-stage win over South Africa – the greatest World Cup victory in Ireland’s history (a slightly depressing thought in itself) iloilo
Drove standards in the Irish camp until the end, making everyone around him iloilo better and it was fitting that even in the final seconds of his Test career, he was still running the fly half wraparound that he has perfected over the years, albeit this time to no avail iloilo
Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand) just misses out on the spot here iloilo
Wing: Damian Penaud, FranceDamian Penaud was brilliant before France’s quarter-final exit (PA)Penaud’s ascent to be the most complete winger in world rugby was finished before the World Cup but this tournament just cemented that fact iloilo
While his young running mate Louis Bielle-Barrey was exposed by the Springboks’ inspired kicking game in the quarter-finals, Penaud’s ability to read the game, position himself correctly and then return kicks in kind kept Les Bleus in the contest iloilo
His running with ball in hand and attacking vision proved to be almost unstoppable and his finishing prowess is equally unquestioned, as shown by the six tries he helped himself to across the World Cup iloilo
Inside centre: Bundee Aki, IrelandBundee Aki is a contender for World Rugby Player of the Year (AFP via Getty Images)Damian de Allende and especially Jordie Barrett, who was the puzzle piece that unlocked the All Blacks backline, are unlucky to miss out but Bundee Aki was simply astonishing at inside centre and was the Player of the Tournament up until his quarter-final departure iloilo
At that point, he topped the tournament rankings for carries, dominant carries and defenders beaten, while also leading the Irish charts for offloads and line-breaks iloilo
His absurdly powerful carrying gave Ireland continuous front-foot, quick ball and he showed his flair with a superb try against New Zealand, jinking inside two defenders despite being off-balance, fending off another and powering through a gap to score iloilo
Was similarly an absolute monster in defence iloilo
Outside centre: Jesse Kriel, South AfricaSouth Africa’s Jesse Kriel celebrates after winning the World Cup final (REUTERS)The picture of a bloody and bruised Kriel, grinning away after the quarter-final win over France may well sum up the Springboks' entire campaign iloilo
He was superb in that game, making 13 tackles as the brick wall at the heart of the South African defence and was a tone-setter for their famed physicality throughout the tournament iloilo
He also showed his attacking prowess with a precise grubber kick through for Cheslin Kolbe's try and early-tournament talk about Lukhanyo Am returning from injury to reclaim the No 13 jersey for the big games soon faded thanks to Kriel's vice-like grip on the shirt iloilo
Wing: Will Jordan, New ZealandNew Zealand wing Will Jordan scored eight tries across the tournament (Getty Images)The final may not have been his best game, with limited touches and having his lunch money taken in a tackle by a Cheslin Kolbe-Kwagga Smith combination, but you don’t equal the all-time try-scoring record at a World Cup and not get into the team of the tournament iloilo
The best, most electric finisher in world rugby who can score from anywhere in any way iloilo
The semi-final hat-trick against Argentina brought him level with Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea for eight in a single tournament and his third try showed his class – starting in his own 22, Jordan weaved iloilo between three defenders, then chipped over another on halfway before collecting his own kick to race in for the score iloilo
Argentina’s Emiliano Boffelli and Ireland’s James Lowe also had good tournaments iloilo
Full back: Beauden Barrett, New ZealandBeauden Barrett’s try in the final was not enough to secure New Zealand victory (Getty Images)Our second Barrett brother in the team and, but for Bundee Aki, Jordie would have made it a clean sweep for rugby’s premier family iloilo
Beauden’s switch to 15 during this cycle proved inspired, allowing the Mo’unga-Jordie axis to thrive at 10 and 12 while also giving him the freedom and time at full back to show why he’s the best, and most inventive, kicker from hand on the planet iloilo
His array of chips, dinks and grubbers to exploit space and launch attacks were a joy to watch and bamboozled Ireland and Argentina in particular, while he also became the first man to score two tries in men’s Rugby World Cup finals as he crossed the whitewash in defeat to South Africa to add to his 2015 effort iloilo
Hugo Keenan played well for Ireland and whichever of Freddie Steward or Marcus Smith was selected in the No 15 shirt for England excelled in their brief for that particular game but Barrett was a cut above iloilo
More aboutRugby World CupSouth Africa rugbyNew Zealand rugbyIreland RugbyFrance RugbyFiji RugbyJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/16Rugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Rugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? South Africa prop Ox Nche Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? France hooker Peato Mauvaka Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Fiji prop Luke Tagi Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? South Africa's Eben Etzeiloilo beth celebratesPARugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? New Zealand's Scott Barrett (right) leaps for a lineout ReutersRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Pieter-Steph du Toit was player of the match in the final Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Nicolas Martins scored Portugal’s try against Wales Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Ardie Savea enjoyed an oustanding tournament PARugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Aaron Smith has concluded his international career Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Johnny Sexton became Ireland’s record points scorer before heading into retirementPA WireRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Damian Penaud was brilliant before France’s quarter-final exit PARugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Bundee Aki is a contender for World Rugby Player of the Year AFP via Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? South Africa’s Jesse Kriel celebrates after winning the World Cup finalREUTERSRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? New Zealand wing Will Jordan scored eight tries across the tournament Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Beauden Barrett’s try in the final was not enough to secure New Zealand victory Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Pieter-Steph du Toit (left) and Eben Etzeiloilo beth both earn selection in our team of the tournament Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today iloilo
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsiloilo BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy iloilo
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply iloilo
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