I'm going to need to go back before I go forward here.
We could go back as far as 1999, when Jonah Lomu was the only man in Black who competed for a full 80 minutes as the All Blacks were bundled out of the Semi Finals by France in Twickenham to our disbelief. If you want to go there, then my Game 23 post (Australia v USA) details my own unfortunate story behind that game.
But I'm only going back four years to the Cardiff Quarter Final against the same nemesis. Surely lightning couldn't and wouldn't strike us twice? The All Blacks had always made the Semis and we had learnt to treat the French with respect. We went to the 2007 tournament easily the best team in the world and we thought this game was merely a stepping stone to our redemption.
At this time I drove a big and beautiful golden Holden HZ Premier, and all through the cup I had an All Blacks flag sitting proudly outside the passenger window. On the day prior to the match I was ferrying our splendid but sometimes obnoxious friend Mikey around town on some errand. We were speeding along Customhouse Quay, past the Civic Square in Wellington, when Mikey muttered something about needing some air, I began yelling "Nooooo..." and only stopped as my beloved flag went flying from the car.
We were unable to stop and get it in the flow of traffic. We looked at each other, nervous that this was some spooky harbinger of disappointment. Mikey wasn't having it, he loudly said "Oh yeah, The All Blacks are going to lose because of your flag....because I lost your silly flag. Get Real!" I didn't say anything. But later the next morning as Megan and I sat in stunned silence at Wayne and Amie's flat in Lyall Bay, after we had witnessed another All Black capitulation. I muttered to myself; "F%$k you Mikey - you lost my lucky flag".
I know a number of other New Zealanders blame themselves for that game, they broke some long standing tradition which led to the loss. But in my heart I know, that it was my fault we lost, because I let Mikey lose my flag.
So this year the lucky flag is behind the driver's seat, and we have not been carrying passengers in that seat, nor will we until the Webb Ellis trophy is lifted, and we are keeping Mikey at a safe distance.
As an added precaution I am not, I repeat not, making the same mistake again. I am not going to live-blog this match - it is way to important for that. The All Blacks need me more than you dear reader.
I will post the tweet of the match and updated try-count shortly after the game ends.
GO BLACK!
Final score 37-17 to the All Blacks
The Good; Israel Dagg, Ma'a, Conrad, DC, the first 20 minutes, a drop goal, Super subs- SBW and Slade, the passion, Kaino, Richie's 100th.
The Bad; The second half scrummaging, injuries, the intercept... there have only been 3 in 25 games, 2 against New Zealand.
The Ugly; Israel's peculiar sock puppet celebration.
25 games 155 tries
Tweet of the match - "What you don't know is that Israel promised to send me a sign about whether he wanted me to make a sock puppet version of him. He does! Woo!" - @annagconnell
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