Never in my entire life have I felt this devastated after a sporting match. It's literally a stab straight through my heart. I feel for the team as well... the tournament favourites busted out of the Rugby World Cup - yes, the NZ All Blacks.
It's just weird, I know it sounds very exaggerative, but the sudden emptiness and sadness you feel after your favourite team loses really sucks to the core. What seemed to be didn't turn out the way it should. For one, screw the stupid refree. Bloody idiot did not see the ever so obvious forward pass the French made, which ultimately gave them the opportunity to score the try they needed so badly to even out the scores. Shit happens in the world of sports I guess or anything for that matter!
All Blacks played well the first half bringing them to lead the french 13-3. But France made a stronger start from the second half. Luck was just not there for the Blacks. A major tactical change and several well-timed substitutions sparked France's comeback win over New Zealand, with what unfortunately was to be history repeating itself all over again for NZ.
Ok fine, credit does go out to France who defended superbly and played with the utmost passion and fire. All Blacks on the other hand, not the best game they played for sure. Several ball handling errors, topped up with 2 major defence errors left wide open for the French to penetrate through. Sighz.
Not to mention, as what commentators said, Luke McAlister - from hero to zero. I know its not the way to go about bitching your fav. team's player, but despite the try he scored in the first half,he did cause the team to be short of 1 man for a good 10mins after having been sin-binned for obstruction. Next, the missed conversion which should be been. Why why why!
Nevertheless, I'm still behind my All Blacks no matter what. It's a big blow to all of us fans, but I'm sure it's a million times worse for the players themselves. A memory that would be left lingering. Kudos to the team for the effort and fight spirit all the way to the end... typical of All Blacks, and yes, I still love my Jerry Collins! I'm proud of his play during the game.
God, I'm sounding like I'm churning out a match analysis/report for this post! Pardon me guys.
Anyway, with NZ knocked out of the world cup, the next thing to keep myself occupied with for the remainder of the tournament will be to cheer and root for the Springboks. Although at the back of my head I'm also hoping that Fiji will do well, coz they really do deserve it. But it looks like only the best team shall advance.
Shall look forward to the next rugby world cup.... hopefully things take a turn for the better then when All Blacks get to play on home ground! RWC'2011 - New Zealand! heehe...i should fly there hey?