All Blacks heartbreak as Cane red card a bridge too far in final

It’s South Africa. Of course it is – New Zealand’s rugby nemesis winning the World Cup thanks to a tremendous defensive effort and helped by All Blacks skipper Sam Cane’s first-half red card.

When referee Wayne Barnes, an official likely to come under the spotlight after this 12-11 victory, blew the fulltime whistle at the Stade de France, the All Blacks appeared stunned. The Boks ran around in disbelief.

It meant the repeat of the 1995 final ended in similar heartbreak for the All Blacks, who played all the rugby in the second half but couldn't find the piece of luck or skill they needed at the end.

This gripping and intense final won by the Boks by their familiar one-point margin at this World Cup after similar scores in their other two knockout matches won’t go down as an instant classic, but those wearing green and gold won’t care.

They’ve made history by winning their fourth final and have matched the All Blacks in winning it back-to-back.

Led by flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit’s incredible tackling effort, the Boks defended their 12-6 halftime lead, the All Blacks scoring the only try of the game through Beauden Barrett.

There were contentious moments throughout and the All Blacks had their chances but couldn’t find the ruthless streak that got them to the tournament showpiece.

They were hindered by handling errors throughout and especially in the second half when they dared to dream of doing the near impossible and winning while playing with 14 men for nearly 50 minutes - 60 if you count Shannon Frizell's early yellow card as well.

Savea was immense as usual, with Jordie Barrett a tower of strength in the midfield and side of the scrum for most of the game. But the control from Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett wasn't quite there. It will be a tough one for the All Blacks to take given their earlier clinical finishing in Paris.

Cards, there were plenty. Wing Cheslin Kolbe was yellow carded late in the match for an intentional knock on, with skipper Siya Kolisi also in the bin in the second half.

Frizell was there after only a couple of minutes for the All Blacks, who again started slowly and nervously.

Frizell got his marching orders for an alleged illegal cleanout on Bongi Mbonambi which injured the hooker’s knee and brought on part-timer Deon Fourie.

And Barnes, unpopular with the All Blacks after their 2007 quarter-final disaster, just seemed to be finding fault more with them than the Boks.

Two Pollard penalties converted were straightforward, but one awarded against Ardie Savea near halfway for not releasing No.8 Duane Vermeulen appeared harsh.

And then, disaster – Cane yellow carded for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel just as the All Blacks were building momentum and had won a scrum 22m out from the Boks’ line.

That attacking opportunity disappeared and so too did Cane – for the rest of the game, Barnes alerting new skipper Savea of the upgrade before Pollard kicked the Boks further ahead 12-3.

The All Blacks needed luck and while they found a little – lock Eben Etzebeth penalised for a cynical offside when retreating on defence as the men in black launched an attack in Boks’ territory, they were clearly mystified at not getting an upgrade themselves.

Rather than a yellow card for Etzebeth, the veteran stayed on the field, Mo’unga kicking the penalty.

Where Ian Foster’s men blitzed Ireland and Argentina in their earlier knockout matches through pace and momentum, here they struggled to build. Losing two attacking lineouts in the first half didn’t help, although the Boks was also vulnerable, with Fourie missing his jumpers time and again.

Will Jordan, needing another try to break the World Cup record for an individual, was having a quiet night – he dropped his first touch of the night – but there was a sense that as long as Mark Tele’a was on the field the All Blacks might be able to manufacture the tight finish they were after.

As the half wore on, Tele’a’s slipperiness was causing issues for the South Africans, and there were hints of the Boks’ fatigue from their far tougher semifinal victory over England last weekend.

The All Blacks were under pressure from start of the second half. A high kick was missed and Mo’unga was forced to make a fine cover tackle on Kolisi to save a certain try.

Beauden Barrett left a chip through for Kurt-Lee Arendse who only just knocked on in corner.

Kolisi’s yellow card for head to head contact on Savea gave the All Blacks hope and they wrested field position for the rest of the match.

Handling errors by Mo’unga and Jordan hurt them though and while Mo’unga made up for his slip by making the break which put Aaron Smith over, the try was ruled out for an earlier knock on. It was one of those nights.

The All Blacks were over again anyway thanks to Tele’a’s break and pop pass to Beauden Barrett which Barrett did well to pick up. Mo’unga missed a crucial conversion attempt from wide out but when Kolbe was sinbinned, the odds turned a little in the All Blacks favour again.

Jordie Barrett’s kick from about 50m on the angle and into a breeze was pushed just wide.

The Boks held on, but only just. Cue joy and despair.

South Africa 12 (Handre Pollard 4 pens)

All Blacks 11 (Beauden Barrett try; Richie Mo’unga 2 pens)

Halftime: 12-6