Forwards made the difference

2002-11-10 15:39

John Mehaffey

London - A common theme linked Europe's clean sweep over the big three southern hemisphere nations in the opening exchanges of the northern autumn international season on Saturday.

Reversing nearly 100 years of rugby tradition, France, England and Ireland defeated South Africa, New Zealand and Australia respectively through their forward packs.

Six Nations champions France were the most convincing with a 30-10 win over South Africa in Marseille. England defeated New Zealand 31-28 at Twickenham and, in the biggest upset of the day, Ireland beat world champions Australia 18-9 in Dublin.

"Our forwards were magnificent," said France coach Bernard Laporte. "They were the masters of the lineouts and the scrums and I think the stats will show that we had a lion's share of the possession."

England's forwards confirmed they are still the best in the business with another commanding performance, although an inexperienced All Black side almost snatched victory with Jonah Lomu scoring a try in each half.

"We know we played 30 good minutes and we need to work on 50 very hard," said captain Martin Johnson. Maybe the most significant performance at the start of a month of intensive rugby action, came in Dublin where Ireland, without their world-class hooker Keith Wood, beat Australia for the first time since 1979.

"If you go back 10 years ago the southern hemisphere sides had a greater physicality," Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan told BBC radio on Sunday.

"We've closed that gap physically, I think, with the southern hemisphere sides and I think we have improved our skills level as well."

With only a year to go until the World Cup in Australia, a tournament won twice by Australia and once each by New Zealand and South Africa, coaches and captains alike resolutely declined to speculate on the long-term consequences of Saturday's matches.

England coach Clive Woodward stuck to his mantra on Sunday of taking one game at a time as England now prepare for next Saturday's match against Australia.

But he did say he thought Australia were still the team to fear next November.

"The team to beat will be Australia, whatever happens next week," he said. "They have the ability to arrive at the World Cup and do well."

- Reuters