What happened to the All Blacks in the 2007 Rugby World Cup? I really need your help.?

Question

I am an American and I am writing a paper for my international press class. I am studying the New Zealand Herald and have seen so much coverage of the Rugby world cup and the All Black team. I need to know what happened to the team that caused so much news coverage. Please tell me all you know just so I can be filled in on the subject so I can write about it better. Thanks!

Answer 1

Well,basically they were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup by a French team, and an English referee. They were expected to win the cup, being the number one ranked team in the world.

Answer 2

As you can see from the responses it pretty much depends on the nationality of the person responding.

Kisback has given a decent summation without emotion, of what happened without, from what I can tell, any comment on the standard of refereeing.

Rugby IS the number 1 sport in New Zealand hence the fervour that's built up!

Answer 3

Well, it's simple... they are the best team in the world.

They went to the world cup as favourites, but they were arrogant and overconfident, and lost to the hosts (France, who didn't even play well on their home turf...) in the quarter-final.

It was a real upset, for you Yanks it would be like winning a war...

Answer 4

Well New Zealand have been the favourites going into every world cup since 1987 and 1987 was the only time they've ever won the world cup, it was also won on home soil on that occasion. Since then, they've managed to get themselves branded as chokers since they haven't managed to win a world cup since, even though they are superior to most other teams by quite a margin.

This year like all the others they were knocked out by France in the Quarter final stages and have been *****'n and moaning about the ref ever since. Perhaps they should just realise that France was the better team on the day and even though France scored the winning points with a controversial decision they just weren't good enough on the day.

Answer 5

They have been the best in the world 4 a long time by a mile and probly will always b. but they chocked once again at a world cup. France bored there way 2 victory witht he help of a usless pomy reff

Answer 6

I find it interesting that people say that the AB players are arrogant because I think kiwi's are some of the most conservative, humble & polite nationals. The AB players included.  Of course there is the odd exception but the AB's celebrate their victories just like any other sports team.

However I do think that the NZ media have over hyped the chances of the AB's at this years RWC and this has deemed the country of NZ, their rugby supporters AND the AB's as being arrogant and just simply having to 'turn up' to collect the Web Ellis Cup.

In having said that the fact is the All Blacks have the best stats (hence wins) of any rugby team in the world even if they do fail miserably under pressure at each Rugby World Cup tournament.  

Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand and the All Blacks - a legacy and an integral part of its culture & identity.  It's what puts NZ on the map!  Hence the huge coverage in the media.  If you go to a foreign country and say you are from NZ they associate the country with either the All Blacks or the haka.

There are a number of reasons for the AB's loss that include:

1.  Outplayed by a team with more passion & flair

2.  Failing under pressure when it really matters

3.  Not adjusting their game plan in the final quarter when France's defence was stoic

4.  Not opting for a 'drop goal' (that could have seen them take the lead) but sticking with the pick & go & individual efforts ~ counting on the scoring of a try in the final minutes

5.  Lack of leadership & composure when the heat was on

6.  Questionable calls from the referee ~ the missed forward pass

7.  Easy pool play games leaving them vulnerable at the next stage of tournament

I'm sure you've read a number of opinions during your research.  Other sites I've found interesting and may assist with your study are:

www.rugbyheaven.co.nz

www. rugbyheaven.com.au

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyworldcu...

www.rugbymuseum.co.nz (give you an overview of NZ rugby)

www.allblacks.co.nz

Best of luck with your paper!