Rugby World Cup Final 2011: The moral of the story: Defence still the best form of attack

IN THEIR quarter-final with South Africa, the Wallabies made 147 tackles to the Springboks’ 53, they spent three minutes and 31 seconds in the South African 22-metre area while South Africa spent 11 minutes 30 seconds in Australia’s 22.

South Africa had 76 per cent territory and 56 per cent possession. They stole five lineouts and won all 14 of their own. And yet they lost. Why? Because Australia had a brilliant defence and were even more brilliant at the breakdown.

Defence will win this World Cup, not possession or territory. Australia spent more time in New Zealand’s 22 than New Zealand did in Australia’s and yet the Kiwis won. Same with Wales and France, Ireland and Wales, France and Tonga, Argentina and Scotland and any number of other games. In their pool game, France spent eight minutes and 36 seconds in the New Zealand 22, twice the amount of time New Zealand spent in France’s 22 and yet lost the try count 5-2. Scotland spent ten minutes and 50 seconds in Argentina’s 22 compared to the Pumas’ two minutes and seven seconds in Scotland’s red zone and yet we all know what happened. They lost the try count 1-0.

This has been a tournament of defence and breakdowns, teams being clinical on a smaller percentage of ball and the rise and rise of the openside flanker, the continuing nightmare that is the scrum, and of New Zealand hosting a wonderful tournament and maybe – hopefully – finally getting the reward that their team, a mix of pace and devil and brutality and canniness, has richly deserved. They have been the standout side by a country mile. We salute them in anticipation of their victory. Surely nothing can stop them now.