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The Top 11 Photos From the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup Final
The All Blacks and Richie McCaw’s finest moments in contrast to France’s disappointment, the best photos from the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final which New Zealand won 8-7.
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All Blacks vs France – An Ugly Win at the Rugby World Cup Final
Richie McCaw’s bleeding face as he lifted the trophy said it all – You don’t have to win pretty in World Cup Finals, just win, as the All Blacks beat France 8-7 in gritty, hard tackling final, bringing the Webb Ellis Cup back to New Zealand after 24 years.
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Quade Cooper’s World Turned Upside Down
Quade Cooper had everything going for him in 2011. Backing his Super Rugby Player of the year award in 2010, Cooper led the Queensland Reds to their first Super Rugby title, beating the Crusaders in the final, and later Australia to their first Tri Nations title since 2001. The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand? All went wrong.
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McCaw’s Pack Simply Too Good (All Blacks vs Wallabies)
Cory Jane ruled the air, the forward pack won every scrum, Ma’a Nonu scored the only try early on and the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 20-6 in the second semi final, setting up a New Zealand – France Rugby Union World Cup Final.
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Kicking Accuracy is Everything (France vs Wales)
Morgan Parra scored all three penalties from France, while Wales, with 14 men (Sam Warburton Red Card) most of the match, couldn’t make most of their set pieces, losing 8-9 in the World Cup Semi Final despite an inspiring effort and Mike Phillips’ late and deceivingly optimistic try.
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Perfect Kicking and Grabage Time Tries (All Blacks vs Argentina)
The All Blacks had a rough first half in their quarter final against Argentina, but Piri Weepu’s perfect kicking (7 for 7 penalty kicks) and later on Kieran Read and Brad Thorn’s tries gave New Zealand a 33-10 win in the quarter final, setting up a match vs Australia in the Semis.
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Who Should Kick – Toby Flood or Jonny Wilkinson?
With Jonny Wilkinson’s boot no longer a sure thing when it comes to penalties and conversions, he and Toby Flood will hold a closed-doors kicking test to see who will get the part, with both men starting in the XV, of getting England past France.
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Aftermath of England vs Scotland Rugby World Cup Match
England waited for nearly the last moment, again, while Scotland fell to another late try, probably missing out on the Rugby Union World Cup for the first time in history. England need to fix some stuff before their France Quarter Finals.
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All You Need is a Chris Ashton Try (England vs Scotland)
Chris Ashton scored a very late try to complete a second half comeback by England, beating Scotland 16-12, making it a perfect group stage run for the 2003 champions while the Scottish wait for the Georgia – Argentina result before packing and leaving New Zealand.
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Practical Beats Spectacular (Springboks vs Samoa)
The contrast of style clashing between the Springboks and Samoa put South Africa in the World Cup Quarter Finals after a very hard earned 13-5 victory, with all 13 points scored in the first half. George Stowers’ try for Samoa in the second half just sweetened the blow for Samoa, saying farewell to the tournament after the group stage.