“WINNING UGLY” is a fairly-new cliché in sports writing. I honestly cannot think at which point in the recent past, we first-drafters of sporting history began to use this expression; it doesn't matter, most people now know what it means -however, you will have to search for a long time, across a range of sports, to see as text book an example of “winning ugly” as the way South Africa staggered past England and into the World Cup Final.
Probably the best character from the Caledonian Media (real or imagined) to describe the Bokke performance properly would be Tam McGlinchey – Interpreter for the Neds in the 'Chewin the Fat' version of BBC Shortbread News. Tam might well say: “South Africa were pure pish man, couldnae haud oantae the ba'; kept making shite choices, but, the boays goat the joab dun, like, Engurland goat their erses skelpit.”
To be fair to our neighbours, (hard though this is), England probably played better than many of thought they could. They gave their all and put up a real fight; however, South Africa were well below their normal standard, but, they stuck to South African basics, believed in their systems and got their reward.
The real turning point, however, was when England brought on Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler at prop. I have been saying – since both of these players came into the international arena, that neither was a good-enough scrummager for international rugby. This failing has cost England in the past and it turned this game in favour of the South Africans. Until somebody of influence at Twickenham notices this failing and takes action – England will win nothing.
We now have the final many of us thought we would get: New Zealand v South Africa. Given the history between the two great Southern Hemisphere rivals, it could go either way. As ever, I am making no predictions, but, whatever happens next weekend, we will have worthy Champions.
Before then we will be able to watch “Fleet Street” contorting itself painfully to “big up” the third/fourth placve play-off match between Argentine and England as anything other a cynical spot of cash-generation between the world's seventh and fifth-ranked nations.
In the immediate wake of losing in Paris, the media men have channelled their inner Jocks and shamelessly nicked our default position, of claiming a loss as a moral victor. Mind you, not having our experience of this, they have failed miserably.
In any sport, when England loses, their media cheer leaders NEVER give their conquerors due credit – the lesser nations only win because the Master Race had an off day. After Paris we are seeing the opposite, Rugby Union's Master Race is either New Zealand or South Africa, the World Cup Final might sort-out the position for the moment. In writing the first draft of the history of the semi-final, “Fleet Street” has been unwilling to admit – England only got so close, because South Africa was so bad.
Even supposing Fleet Street's Finest are, for once, correct in their assessment of an England defeat and, they did play marvellously-well and maybe should have won; in 100 years' time, historians looking at the record books will not find an entry after the result of the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final, looking something like (* England actually outplayed South Africa). World Cups are all about winning and English Rugby has to suck up the fact – they lost.
Outplaying South Africa and still exiting the tournament is perhaps more-indicative of a fact the RFU appears reluctant to admit, far-less rectify, their elite level rugby system isn't working. The RFU allows the big clubs to set the agenda and direct things, every other Union, some better than others, has recognised, international rugby is the top grade and does everything to make the international team the main focus.
While the good teams knocked seven bells out of each other in the process of reaching the final, in the “diddy teams” half of the draw, Argentine and England somehow contrived to reach the last four – the joys of knock-out rugby.
MAYBE it was the aftermath of “Storm Babel,” but, even before that Paris match, we had another prime example of “Winning Ugly” as Edinburgh recovered from a bad start to eventually beat Dragons, in their opening BKT United Rugby Championship game, at Rodney Parade.
Here too, “the Good Guys” were all over the place in the first half. Indeed, I thought some of the Edinburgh players were channelling their inner 'Rangers Superstars' persona and playing way below the level they are supposed to operate at.
However, like his fellow South African, Rassie Erasmus later in the day, Edinburgh Coach Sean Everitt delivered a half-time rocket and, on the back of a stellar, Man-of-the-Match display from Ben Healy, Edinburgh found a way to come through and win.
If the capital crew can adjust to South African coaching and come together as well as Warriors have been turned around at the other end of the M8, maybe professional rugby in Scotland has a bright future to look forward to.
I would not be surprised if, once the currently-rested big name internationalists are drip-fed back into the match-day squad, you will see the benefit for some of the lesser lights, who took their lead from Healy in Wales.
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