the end of the dream for the Blues, eliminated by one point by South Africa | EUROtoday

No downtime on each side

On a brand new motion this time on the left, the XV of France thinks they are going to be capable to double the lead however the Springboks handle to get well the ball at the final minute. The public contests the refereeing of Mr. Ben O’Keeffe however the recreation continues. The refereeing physique has lengthy been at the coronary heart of the debates on this quarter-final. South Africa took benefit of this second of hesitation to select up the rating: after a candle from Reinach, Arendse managed to flee alone to place his crew again on stage phrases (7-7, eighth).

On their momentum, the reigning world champions will take benefit of a feverish French rearguard after this primary try conceded to flatten once more. After a play at the foot of Libbok, Woki isn’t concentrated and De Allende infiltrates to attain his crew’s second attempt, after a superb hook (7-12, 18th). The Blues understand that the slightest mistake will likely be deadly on this quarter-final and handle to get again on observe. After an occupation in the South African camp, Antoine Dupont rapidly performs a ball which flies to Mauvaka, once more on the proper aspect, to safe the attempt (12-12, twenty second). On the transformation that follows, Thomas Ramos takes too lengthy and his shot is blocked by Cheslin Kolbe.

Fifth attempt in Blues for Baille, his third towards South Africa.

South Africa is a troublesome opponent: on this first act with out respite, Jacques Nienaber’s gamers will reach shocking the Blues once more. The Kolbe rocket is served on the exterior and drops everybody, notably Damian Penaud (12-19, twenty sixth). The host nation doesn’t wish to be left behind and responds tit for tat: Cyril Baille gives himself a double after a contact, the Blues forwards do rather a lot of work towards the South African energy (19-19, thirty first).

The Blues completed this half strongly and noticed their opponents obtain a yellow card. For a poorly managed deal with on Atonio with the head, Etzebeth should go away his teammates at 14 for ten minutes. Thomas Ramos took benefit of the penalty to place his crew again in entrance earlier than returning to the locker room (22-19, fortieth).

The second interval goes much less in all instructions however the combat stays very intense and bodily between the two behemoths of world rugby. If the Blues don’t take benefit of their numerical superiority, Thomas Ramos nonetheless provides three extra factors after a scrum (25-19, 54th). The employees of the XV of France took the alternative to make quite a few modifications with the entries of Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Wardi and Cros for the forwards.