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Rieko Ioane attempted to sweep aside the dark clouds engulfing Sam Cane by saying his red card didn’t ruin the All Blacks chances of beating the Springboks during their 12-11 defeat in the World Cup final in Paris.
Loyalty is a wonderful thing, and many people would admire Ioane for trying to beam a ray of sunshine into Cane’s world, but, for all that, it was difficult to believe the captain’s expulsion in the 27th minute for a high tackle on Springboks centre Jesse Kriel didn’t seriously damage the All Blacks’ hopes of winning the Webb Ellis Cup on Sunday morning (NZT).
Cane, who became the first person to be sent-off in a men’s final, admitted he would have to live with his reckless shot on Kriel for the rest of his life, but centre Ioane was adamant it wasn’t to blame for the loss at Stade de France.
“That game tonight wasn’t lost tonight with Sammy’s red card,” Ioane said. “We definitely had our moments out there, and if we were to capitalise on a better day, we might have got a better flip of the coin.
“But tonight wasn’t our night and as for Sammy, I am sure he is feeling it but the boys will get around him.”
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The disappointed All Blacks reflect on the 12-11 loss to the Springboks in the World Cup final.
Ioane was correct in saying the All Blacks could have defied the odds to beat the Boks and win the Webb Ellis Cup, and they very nearly did, but if openside flanker Cane had been on the park instead of sitting sideline, they wouldn’t have been under intense pressure and made so many uncharacteristic errors.
A yellow card to Shannon Frizell three minutes into the game, after he fell onto the leg of Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi, followed by the red to Cane meant the All Blacks were forced to play more than 60 minutes with 14 men.
Against a team like the Springboks that’s a daunting prospect. Yet they very nearly defied the odds. Had Jordie Barrett not missed a late long-range penalty, or Richie Mo’unga been able to convert Beauden Barrett’s try, the Webb Ellis Cup could have been destined for New Zealand.
David Rogers/Getty Images
Ian Foster comes to terms with the loss.
The All Blacks’ high error-count was regrettable, a consequence of being outnumbered by the defence in the slippery conditions.
With No 8 Ardie Savea taking over the captaincy, the All Blacks, who had to ask midfielder Jordie Barrett to join their scrums, came close to claiming one of their greatest-ever wins.
Despite being short a man, Ioane said there wasn’t a lack of self-belief.
David Rogers/Getty Images
Rieko Ioane, centre, stands with his dejected team-mates after the loss to the Springboks.
“It’s not hard at all, mate. If you would have felt that energy out there, you would probably be saying the same thing. The boys galvanised behind that, and we are a team that has faced adversity often.
“Not only in the game, but outside the game. This group of boys we have is real tight knit and we work and play for each other, so Sammy going off, it doesn’t rattle us really, it only makes us tighter.”
After the match All Blacks coach Ian Foster walked among his players, having a quiet word to some as they watched the Springboks receive their medals and lift the trophy amid the music and fireworks.
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All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell is tackled by Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen and Handre Pollard.
Sacked by NZ Rugby before the tournament began, this was Foster’s opportunity to make his bosses squirm with discomfort, to say they made a grave error in dismissing the fellow who won them the World Cup.
Instead he leaves wondering how much different the outcome would have been, had Cane stayed on the field.
The ructions between NZ Rugby and Foster were used to motivate the group prior and during the event in France, and the players badly wanted to give their coach the best farewell possible.
“What I am able to say about Fossie is that I have the utmost respect and praise,” Ioane added. “He has, too, faced adversity, not only in this tournament, but leading into it. For him, to lead us, and produce some of the footy that we were able to produce is a credit to him.”
Ioane noted the swing in public support after the All Blacks beat Ireland in the quarterfinal to prove they had the talent, drive and game plan to potentially go all the way.
“Everyone was quick to get on him [Foster] when things were bad, and then so quick to come back in when things started coming good. A big message is just believe in whoever is in charge, because as players, we do.
“This playing group has huge, huge praise for Fozzie. Whether he gets his flowers or not, he will from us.”
Foster has said he will coach again in the future, but it won’t be with the All Blacks. Scott Robertson will do that for the next four years, through to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
His departure will mark the end of his partnership with Cane, who will now wait to see whether Robertson wants to retain him as his captain.
“Just a message back home, New Zealanders should be proud of the way that Sammy and Fozzie have truly led this team,” Ioane noted.
“Because they have galvanised all us boys over the course into getting here and throughout this tournament.
“So we’re proud of Sammy, regardless. I just want to reiterate that game wasn’t lost with that red.”
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