
THE TENSION was palpable. As the clock wound down on the 2011 World Cup final at Eden Park, many watched on stressed, nervy, anxious, silent. And that was just in the press box.
The All Blacks finally shrugged off the chokers tag that had bedevilled them since 1987 to “thrash France 8-7”, as Graham Henry would later say. It would be a stretch to say that victorious skipper Richie McCaw enjoyed the World Cup.
“The buzz around the country was amazing. Having the team win topped it off. I’m not sure if the memory would have been quite the same if we hadn’t got the job done. It was sheer relief when we got across the line,” he says.
The All Blacks’ best rugby came in the 37-17 pool defeat of France (above), which marked McCaw’s 100th Test.
“We played superbly in that game. But that’s when my foot started to play up a bit. It was like ‘Jeepers, how’s this going to go for the rest of the tournament?”
Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Rugby World.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Rugby World.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar

FULL BLOOM
The Red Roses have plenty of credit in the bank but must deliver again in 2025 to cement their legacy. We went to Bristol to chat to three of their stars...

"I forgot my game-day knickers against Sale and got injured"
The Quins and Wales flanker on superstitions, motorway skids and scaring Ffion Lewis

AARON GRANDIDIER NKANANG
The English-born Pau wing on Olympic glory, Test ambitions and Antoine Dupont

THE SECRET PLAYER
\"It's no surprise that Netflix has pulled the plug on the Six Nations\"

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...BALANCE RUGBY WITH NURSING
Trailfinders and Wales back Carys Cox on juggling two demanding professions

KEN OWENS
\"I don't think Gats realised how bad it was when he came back'

ISLAND IN THE LEAGUE
The Reds may have gone to the wall, but rugby is alive and kicking in Jersey

PORTRAIT OFF A MAN
At just 19 years old, Racing and England U20 star Junior Kpoku is already coming of age

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? ALEX LEWINGTON
IN THE latter years of my career, before retiring in 2024, I was acting as an introducer for Gallagher.

EYES ON THE PRIZE
Your guide to every team in the 2025 Women's Six Nations