2011 Rugby World Cup Final
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| Event | 2011 Rugby World Cup | ||||||
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| Date | 23 October 2011 | ||||||
| Venue | Eden Park, Auckland | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Thierry Dusautoir (France) | ||||||
| Referee | Craig Joubert (South Africa) | ||||||
| Attendance | 61,079 | ||||||
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Final was a rugby union match between France and New Zealand, to determine the winner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The match took place on 23 October 2011 at Eden Park, in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand won the match 8–7, the slimmest margin by which any Rugby World Cup Final has been decided.
New Zealand were considered to be favourites, as they went into the final unbeaten and the French had lost two pool games, including one to New Zealand. The French team also experienced a player revolt against their coach Marc Lièvremont, confirmed after the tournament by veteran back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy. The match was a close-fought and tight contest with few line-breaks. Each side scored one try and the outcome was determined by kicks – the All Blacks kicked a penalty goal whereas the French managed only the conversion of their try. The result was the lowest score of any final in World Cup history.
The match echoed the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final which was also held at Eden Park between the same teams, and also the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final in that both teams had progressed from the same pool. In the 2011 pool stage, France lost to New Zealand and Tonga, and it was only Canada's previous upset 25–20 victory over Tonga that allowed the French to progress. New Zealand won every match they played in the tournament.
New Zealand's victory marked the first time that a nation had held the World Cup and Women's Rugby World Cup, as the Black Ferns had held their title since 1998.
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