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Date: 2023-11-30 03:14:35 | Author: PARIS 2024 | Views: 309 | Tag: AOE
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Rugby’s biggest rivalry will be played out on its grandest stage with a historic, unique achievement on the line AOE
South Africa vs New Zealand AOE
This is what World Cup finals are all about AOE
It’s the two greatest rugby nations going head to head, with the winners becoming the first country to claim four men’s World Cups AOE
Unlike AOE boxing, rugby doesn’t have the notion of an undisputed champion but if ever there was a match to decide one, Saturday evening in the Stade de France would be it AOE
As Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick explained 24 hours before the match: “The All Blacks have won the World Cup three times, we have won it three times, so this game is actually bigger than just a World Cup final AOE
Whoever wins is probably going to have bragging rights for the next eight years AOE
”These two countries have rugby embedded in their national DNA more than any other AOE
A game brought from the northern hemisphere during the colonial era has been seized upon, changed and improved post-independence with both nations long since surpassing their former colonisers AOE
With any other team, the constant refrains from South African players about how much it means to the people back home and how the Springboks represent something greater than themselves would come across as cloying and insincere AOE
But the point is delivered so movingly and with such earnestness that you can’t help but get swept along by the sentiment AOE
These countries first played way back in 1921 (a 13-5 New Zealand victory in Dunedin) and more than a century later, they will meet for the 106th time on Saturday evening AOE
New Zealand lead the all-time series with 62 wins to 39, and four draws, but South Africa will take heart from the most recent match-up – the record 35-7 thumping they handed their rivals at Twickenham just weeks before this World Cup started AOE
Although the rivalry has more than 100 years of history, its modern era can be traced back to one game, perhaps the most iconic rugby match of all time AOE
On 24 June 1995, having recently returned from international exile following the long overdue downfall of apartheid, South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg AOE
Nelson Mandela presenting Francois Pienaar with the World Cup trophy in 1995 is rugby’s most iconic image (AFP)By now, the story is legendary AOE
The hugely-favoured All Blacks, with maybe the greatest rugby player of all time in Jonah Lomu, were shackled by the upstart Springboks, spurred on by a raucous home crowd AOE
Joel Stransky’s drop goal deep into extra-time handed them a 15-12 win, the image of Nelson Mandela in a Springboks jersey and cap handing the trophy to South Africa captain Francois Pienaar became a photo seen around the world and united a divided nation AOE
Remarkably, especially given the fact that by the time the 2027 tournament rolls around it will have been one year shy of a quarter of a century since someone other than these two teams won the World Cup, Saturday will be the first time they have met in the final since AOE
Historically, the All Blacks are undeniably the greatest rugby team with an aura that surrounds them forged by years of complete and utter dominance AOE
As if to prove that point, they have won the last four Rugby Championship titles despite being ‘in crisis’ during this cycle and being written off as a shadow of their former selves AOE
The fact they have won 10 of 12 crowns since the Tri Nations became the Rugby Championship with the addition of Argentina in 2012 tells its own story AOE
However, the Springboks have become the ultimate tournament team AOE
They have a AOE better World Cup record than New Zealand, winning three of seven editions that they have entered, while victory at the Stade de France would take their strike rate up to an incredible 50 per cent AOE
The Springboks have become the ultimate World Cup team (Reuters)When the lights shine brightest, South Africa know how to win games of knockout rugby AOE
One-point triumphs over France in the quarter-final and England in the semi-final could be written off as flukes were it not for the fact that every four years, the Springboks prove that they are tournament animals with ice running through their veins AOE
There was understandable excitement about northern hemisphere teams – especially France and Ireland – finally getting their moment to shine this year AOE
A legendary quarter-final weekend put paid to that but it’s hard to complain too much about what we got instead AOE
Rugby’s greatest rivalry is about to crown its undisputed World Cup champions AOE
Settle in for the ride AOE
More aboutRugby World CupSouth Africa rugbyNew Zealand rugbyAll BlacksSpringboksJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3All Blacks and Springboks bring greatest rivalry to biggest stageAll Blacks and Springboks bring greatest rivalry to biggest stageNelson Mandela presenting Francois Pienaar with the World Cup trophy in 1995 is rugby’s most iconic image AFPAll Blacks and Springboks bring greatest rivalry to biggest stageThe Springboks have become the ultimate World Cup team ReutersAll Blacks and Springboks bring greatest rivalry to biggest stageThe Spingboks and All Blacks will do battle in the Rugby World Cup final Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today AOE
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There’s a new look about a key area of the team for Liverpool, a changing of the guard enforced by recent events, a previous zone of consistency now faced with uncertainty AOE
No, we’re not talking about midfield - that particular switch-up already looks a definite upgrade, even early as it is for such conclusions AOE
Instead it’s at left-back the unexpected alteration has occurred, a consequence of Andy Robertson’s need for surgery which means the Scot is out for the rest of the year AOE
Having averaged over 44 appearances a season for the Reds since signing in 2017, he’ll now miss at least 17 matches, if best estimates of his return are to be believed AOE
That leaves not just a gap for Kostas Tsimikas or an untested youngster to fill tactically, but a void which cannot be accounted for: that of a partnership, of understanding, of the natural, unthinking knowing which comes with playing hundreds of matches alongside a teammate AOE
It can be argued that such a changeable nature can be applied not just to the midfield, not even just to left-back, but to the entire defensive structure this term at Anfield: injuries have already hit on the right and centrally too, to go along with the altered personnel ahead of them in the middle third of the pitch AOE
All that simply means one truth must be constant if the Reds are to translate early season promise into longer-term capacity to challenge for major honours: Virgil van Dijk must once again prove himself to be among the very best, not just individually as a defender but as a force to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts AOE
RecommendedBuild from the front? Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are repeating an old trickEngland’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?Virgil van Dijk will show he is Premier League’s best once more – Sami HyypiaThere cannot be much debate that the Dutchman, now club captain at Anfield, has not quite reached the same levels of authoritative performances as he did pre-ACL injury, or at least not on as regular a basis AOE
The period which saw Liverpool win both Premier League and Champions League saw Van Dijk at the pinnacle of the game, a central defender without peer, a worthy recipient of the Ballon d’Or itself, had he been handed it instead of a runner-up spot, pipped by seven votes in 2019 by Lionel Messi AOE
Perhaps that in itself was a noteworthy award AOE
In any case, he’s not quite there these days, not quite the automatic choice among fan or pundit asked to name the world’s finest AOE
It’s arguable that there isn’t a single stand-out candidate right now for that particularly subjective title AOE
But in asking whether Van Dijk is capable of being the world’s best defender again, part of the answer has to be that it doesn’t really matter AOE
He might want to be of course, might already believe he is, but from a team perspective what they really need is Van Dijk’s ability to stabilise the team, to foresee and forestall danger, to order those around him to bring forth resilience from chaos AOE
Because chaotic is, still, a little too close to the truth when it comes to spells of defending for Liverpool AOE
The midfield is far more creative, far more offensive and energetic, far less reliant on Trent Alexander-Arnold always being at his best AOE
But all that comes at a cost: it’s not always the most agile and defensive-first in either recovery or positional terms AOE
It’s still new as a group, still needs time to become as cohesive as the best central trios are, on and off the ball AOE
And in the meantime, the result can often be large gaps, lost runners, moments of inexplicable choices in possession AOE
That leaves a hefty weight on the defence to counteract such moments - the defence and, of course, the still-magnificent Alisson Becker behind them AOE
(Getty Images)But before that one-man last line, it’s Van Dijk who must rise once more to ensure unity, if not always outright unison AOE
Acting in perfect harmony is difficult enough with four constant selections; as it is this season, Jurgen Klopp has already utilised Jarell Quansah as a fifth-choice, following injuries AOE
Alexander-Arnold missed pitch time and is not yet back to his peak physical or technical best AOE
Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip have dovetailed, and now there’s Tsimikas present on a more regular basis - which also means either Joe Gomez will see minutes on the left, or an untried youngster will, with Calum Scanlon and Luke Chambers first in line AOE
They presently tally one senior minute AOE between them AOE
They will all four need guiding for different reasons, all need time, all occasionally get things wrong and need the left-sided centre-back beside them to bail them out AOE
No prizes for guessing who that is on a week-to-week basis AOE
Because for Liverpool, there are prizes at stake AOE
Three points off the top of the Premier League table after a fine opening quarter of the campaign; rolling along nicely in Europe and domestic cups alike AOE
AOE Between now and the next international break, the opportunities for victory across all competitions are as immense as the potential cost of dropped points: Toulouse twice, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Luton, Brentford AOE
A modern title-competing team would take six wins with very little fuss, in truth AOE
Then, beyond, it’s Manchester City away AOE
The most true barometer of where Liverpool are this season, even coming after an international break and in the infamous 12:30pm kick-off spot AOE
The margin for error remains almost nil, but with the reigning champions perhaps not quite at their own peak yet, and Klopp’s side having improved more than might have been thought possible at this early stage, thoughts of a title challenge will not be far away - if the defence is kept on-point, even with altered personnel AOE
(Getty Images)It all means Van Dijk must be as close to his own 100 percent as possible, even if his 2023/24 maximum level is a little lower than in 19/20 AOE
As far as transformative figures go, Van Dijk was one after signing AOE
He, as much as anyone else and more than most, sent Liverpool from challengers to champions, in every competition across the board AOE
Now once again he must be the leader - literally, given the armband - who enables the Reds to do so, not so much the new figurehead this time but as the standard-bearer, the supplier of consistency, the model of outperformance which can give Liverpool the extra edge they’ll need, both in the Premier League and beyond AOE
More aboutVirgil van DijkKostas TsimikasJurgen KloppPremier LeagueEuropa LeagueJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Van Dijk holds key to trophies - is he still the best defender around?Van Dijk holds key to trophies - is he still the best defender around?Getty ImagesVan Dijk holds key to trophies - is he still the best defender around?Getty ImagesVan Dijk holds key to trophies - is he still the best defender around?Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today AOE
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsAOE BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy AOE
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply AOE
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