By Lucky Maree
What does it mean? The All Blacks women’s Sevens side have just wiped out their French opponents 35-0 in the women’s final. Earlier this morning the All Blacks men’s team destroyed the French team by 36 to 5 in the Sevens semi-final.
What does it mean? It means the French are no match for the New Zealanders.
The question is how the Blitzboks will deal with the men in black.
The Blitzboks had a tough road to the final. In the process, they beat Ireland, Fiji and yes, in the pool match they beat New Zealand. Can they do it again?
For the first two minutes, the Blitzboks are in charge — until the All Blacks break the line and score a brilliant try through Roderick Solo.
For the next three minutes it’s all the Blitzboks can do to keep the All Blacks away from the goal area, but inevitably New Zealand score through Joe Webber.
A minute into halftime, they score again (through Sam Dixon).
At halftime, South Africa have a mountain to climb — a 17-point, three-try mountain, to be precise.
Can Sandile Ngcobo rally the troops? They have seven minutes to perform miracles all weekend.
When last did you see a team conceding a tighthead scrum in any format of the game? It’s not a good sign when the Blitzboks lose a tighthead scrum early in the half.
For five minutes, the score doesn’t change, but the Blitzboks are holding on by their teeth. Tries are not awarded when the replays reveal a forward pass and two knock-ons.
Two minutes to score 17 points? Possible, very unlikely. Was that 17, make it 24 — eh, make it 31 — no, no. make it 38.
For 14 minutes the All Blacks were the only team on the pitch, with a deserved gold medal. South Africa gets a shiny silver medal.
To be honest, the right team won.
See you in Los Angeles in a month’s time.
Score: 0-38 — South Africa (0 tries), New Zealand (6)
Pictured above: New Zealand score, South Africa stumble. The right team won.
Image source: Twitter
