I've relocated from Wellington Hospital to our friends Paul, Mary and Zeb's house for this second match. I'll be writing my post on my iPad. Megan will keep watching the game alone and will sub edit via email on the Macbook.
Our ability to do this is testimony to the vision of Steve Jobs. We both found out about his sad passing midweek, and like many people discovered the news on one or other of his devices. When I watched the 1987 World Cup, I would never have thought I would ever own a single computer, let alone the plethora of iDevices we now share.
It is a perfect footy night in Auckland, and Eden Park looks jam packed.
I wonder if my mate Gordo is there tonight. He is an inexplicably enthusiastic Francophile. As per usual the French win the anthems, but that hasn't done them any good thus far in the tournament.
Readers of my crazy prediction this afternoon will know that I am predicting a shock French victory, they will also know I ballsed up the result of the last match, so take it with a grain of salt.
England show their hand early and opt to spin it wide and have a crack at the French. The French are showing some resistance but the game is only 4 minutes old. The French are playing in a crazy Latin style; there is a hint of filth in their tackling, and an air of unpredictable in their opportunism.
It looks at this early stage that the real France has shown up tonight - 4 weeks late for the tournament. After 8 minutes to the surprise of everyone they score first - a penalty on 11 minutes slotted by Dimitri Yachvilli. 3-0 France. Allez Allez
And they don't stop there. Moments later they are playing as one; both forwards and backs spin the ball and fluster the English. Save the bright start, the men in white have barely touched the ball. The English pack try to sort the frisky frogs out at scrum time, but are penalised for collapsing. Yachvilli nails the kick. 6-0 France after 15 minutes.
The English can normally depend on their kickers to maximize their return in encounters like this, but all through the RWC their conversion rate has been poor. Also the French also are not making their usual mistakes. They aren't giving away penalties and they are keeping hold of the pill.
Hold the phone! Dusautoir steals an English line out - the ball spins rapidly through the backs and into the hands of Vincent Clerc and he scores his 5th try of the tournament. He had plenty to do too! The English are completely missing in action. Luckily for them the conversion is missed. 11-0 France after 23 minutes.
Amusingly Toby Flood attempts one of the poorest drop kicks of the tournament, at 25 minutes in. If England want to get back into the game 3 points at a time might not be enough. What they need to do is get the ball to the only non-Englishman in their 15. Manu Tuilagi has looked likely a couple of times now, and he's the only player in white standing up.
On 30 minutes the French are at it again. Inspirational skipper Thierry Dusautoir busts out of a maul and nearly scores himself. They spin the ball and commit the English to two more rucks before getting the ball outside to the quicks. The French Werewolf in Auckland, Maxime Medard, grabs another try. The only thing in favour of the Poms is the poor French kicking - another 2 points squandered. 16-0. 7 minutes to go in the half.
Momentum is a funny thing. The English all but score a try on the verge of half time, twice, but they butcher both chances. If they'd scored there they might be apart by just 9 points. Instead the teams head to the sheds 16-0. That is a huge hill for the English to traverse come the second spell.
Ole, they're back on!
Many thanks to Mary for the delicious halftime Walnut, Chocolate, Honey tart, it tastes even better than it sounds! A halftime text from Auckland pal Anthony states, "respect the Coq, The French have come to play... brilliant defence and back play". Well said Anthony.
Wilkinson and Flood have swapped positions, and it seems to be a cunning ploy. The French don't look quite as composed on defence as in the first half. The English need to try something desperate because they are a long way out of this game, with 33 minutes left to play.
I'm starting to wonder if the French think they have enough points to win this. They seem intent to let the English run the ball at them and then hit them with everything they've got.
At 53 minutes the English pass up a kickable penalty for a foray at the French line. They're rewarded as Ben Fowden picks up a snappy try. Wilkinson has his first shot at goal after 54 minutes! He slots it 16-7. This will be an intesting 25 minutes ahead.
France's replacement for Yachvili is Francois Trinh-Duc and he seems to be there for his tactical kicking. He has pegged the English back in their 22 several times since coming onto the park. This is forcing the English to have a go from anywhere, and while we admire their enterprise, their big pack is looking ragged.
With 62 minutes gone I'd say any score from France will win the game. And Jonny can't win it for the English - he's subbed off while the game hangs in the balance.
The English are showing great spirit. And they are denied more points by the bounce of the ball. The French seem intent to just stand wait for English errors.
68 minutes in and the score remains 16-7, with play camped down in the English 22. The commentators, Foxy in particular, are sensing le drop. If it happens it may well be le all over for England. To Foxy's delight his script is followed at 72 minutes! Trinh-Duc slots it and the 19-7 lead is a huge one.
The Trinh-Duc substitution is looking totally inspired right now. Am I the only person dreading the 1987 rematch at Eden Park? This French team are unrecognisable from the impostors of the previous fortnight.
Before we get too carried away with French rejoicing we go upstairs to the TMO for an interminable age, before Mark Cueto is awarded a try to put England right back in it. Flood misses the conversion - probably the most important kick of his life, can you believe that? The score is now 19-12 with 2 minutes left.
A brutal French maul saps England's hopes. A penalty is awarded. Parra sportingly attempts the goal and hits the posts, but the ball flies over the dead ball line.
Sacre Bleu! Another boil-over. The brilliant French deserve this win 100-120%.
Final Score France 19 - 12 England
42 games 250 tries.
Tweet of the match - "In a change of strategy, England are having the forwards knock the ball on in this half. #rwc2011" @publicaddress
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