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New Zealand made a solid showing at the Rugby World Cup VII, retaining both men's and women's titles, with the All Blacks beating England 33-12 in the tournament final Men's Sunday in San Francisco. The day before, the Black Ferns had imposed their law on the French women (29-0) in the final of the women's tournament.
This is the first time since the creation of the event that a nation manages to retain its title, at men as well as women. Tim Mikkelson was already the first triumph in Moscow in 2013. His team was not a favorite this year after a rather low profile World Tour campaign (3rd), punctuated by a single win in ten stages in Cape Town.
The bench New Zealand makes the difference
The title holders could also have disappeared in the quarter-finals against France, with three consecutive yellow cards received in the first period, a heavy handicap. But their defense held up and they survived without shining (12-7). The All Blacks then raised the tone in the semi-finals, eliminating the Fijian Olympic champions (22-17) after a match of great intensity.
In the final, their superiority over the England was quickly felt. Taking advantage of adverse errors, Sione Molia scored a quick double (1st, 4th) and Joseva Ravouvou widened the gap (19-7, 9th). England tried to revolt via Ruaridh McConnochie, author of the second test of his own (12-19, 12th), but the New Zealand bench killed any suspense with two more tests. The team of France The team of France took Sunday the 8th place of the World Cup after another raging defeat against Scotland 29-24.
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