Oct 7, 2007, 8:31 GMT
Wellington/Sydney - New Zealand, where rugby is little other than the national religion, went into deep mourning Sunday after its star All Blacks rugby team was bundled out of the World Cup by France in Cardiff, Wales.
The All Blacks were favourites to win the trophy and the 20-18 defeat at the hands of the French, principal hosts of the event, marked the first time they had failed to make the semi-finals. EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
The All Blacks were favourites to win the trophy and the 20-18 defeat at the hands of the French, principal hosts of the event, marked the first time they had failed to make the semi-finals.
Neighbours and close rivals Australia were also beaten, going down 12-10 to England, holders of the Web Ellis Cup which is contested every four years.
One Australian contributor to blogs on the New Zealand Herald website summed up a typical reaction: 'As an Aussie I was gutted when the Wallabies lost but felt much better when the All Blacks joined us.'
News of the All Blacks defeat led radio bulletins throughout the day and prime time television news bulletins were filled with pictures of tearful players and fans.
The Herald website's main story was headlined: 'Inquest begins into shock All Blacks exit' and captain Richie McCaw was reported 'shell-shocked.'
It quoted a former All Black Mark Hammett, who was in the team at the last World Cup in 2003, saying that McCaw and the rest of the side would be feeling 'pretty empty.'
'They will keep going,' he added. 'How the guys will deal with grief is no different to how other people deal with grief, whether it's a split marriage or a death in the family.'
Another ex-All Black and 2003 World Cup selector Kieran Crowley said some of the players may never get over the defeat and the pain would be with them for the rest of their lives.
David Kirk, a former All Blacks skipper and now head of the Australasian Fairfax Media group, wrote a story on its website headed 'Our Gods fall to earth.'
In an emotion-charged review of the match, he wrote: 'In my view this group of young men deserved better.
'They did the work, they thought the thoughts. They were ready but when their hour came round at last it was not to be.'
Australians were alternately sad and angry at their defeat.
'The best team won hands down,' admitted rugby fan Nathan Bracks. 'I can't take losing to you Poms (England) like this any more.'
Even Wallabies coach John Connolly said his team deserved their earliest departure from the quadrennial tournament since 1995 and their third exit at the hands of arch-rivals England, who beat them in the 2003 final.
'It was our worst performance,' Connolly said. 'Our game never got off the ground.'
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Those guysOct 17th, 2007 - 14:34:35
sure look feminine. Wonder if they play each other while practicing.
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