In the first of the quarter finals, on Saturday, October 6th, England had conquered the unconquerable Australians. Could France, later on the same day, stop the unstoppable All Blacks and send them home, like the Australians, to watch the semi-finals on TV?
Bernard Laporte, the French coach, banned the use of the name 'All Blacks'. They must just be called 'New Zealand' instead. This was a wise move. The name 'All Blacks' has been associated for years with victory. Many teams surrender to them before the game even starts.
Successful people like to create their own realistic image of the difficulties ahead. The French needed to change the popular image of the All Blacks as unbeatable.
The French also insisted on wearing their traditional blue colours. They argued: "We don't say 'Come on les whites!' We say 'Come on les bleus!' 'Allez les Bleus!'
This meant that the All Blacks could not even wear their famous black colours which might look too much like the blue of the French. They ended up without their beloved black uniforms and probably did not feel like themselves at all. At least, they no longer looked invincible!
Most successful people realize that the way you look can raise or lower your self-confidence. Looking the part leads to actions that suit the part.
The French, however, also had a handicap. This quarter final would be played in Wales instead of France to reward Wales for supporting the French as hosts for the 2007 world cup.
No one was sure what would happen since the French have a history of not doing what they are supposed to do! They had also beaten New Zealand before in the semi-finals of the 1999 world cup. However, New Zealand were still the overwhelming favourites to win.
The New Zealand Haka was performed with the usual gusto. At the same time, the French team faced up to the All Blacks right on the half way line. This symbolized their commitment to not yielding an inch of territory and took the sting out of another All Black victory symbol.
The score was 0-0 after seven minutes. After twelve minutes, New Zealand led by 3-0. New Zealand nearly scored a try after fifteen minutes but a foot had gone into touch. Two minutes later they scored an outstanding try.
There was individual brilliance but also great support. Carter converted the try. 10-0 to New Zealand. The New Zealand environment turns good players into great players.
Successful people like to mingle with other successful people to pick up their mindset and habits. The All Blacks are supremely successful rugby players.
They let the ball 'live'. They keep the momentum of their attacks flowing by passing and catching the ball before it goes dead. Both backs and forwards are big and fast. Train with them and you could become like them.
Carter kicked a penalty for the All Blacks. 13-0 Dan Carter's dad had put up rugby posts in the garden when Dan was a boy so that he could practise regularly. Most successful people put in hours of practice at the skills they need to reach the top.
In the stadium, the 30,000 New Zealanders were happy with the score. The 25,000 strong French crowd were not so happy. Nor were the French team.
The French instinct is to run with the ball but the orders from the bench were to kick. The French missed a second penalty but then Beauxis kicked the next one over. 13-3
As a boy, Lionel Beauxis, watched his father, Patrick, kick the ball 60 metres in his bare feet, and decided to develop the same power and prowess. His father had, like Dan Carter's father, put up rugby posts in his garden when Lionel was only twelve years old.
Beauxis had also been inspired by the great All Black fly half, Andrew Mehrtens, who never seemed to miss a kick: Beauxis commented:
"The first match I saw when I was very small, I especially remember a penalty by Andrew Mehrtens. I was always kicking a ball. If there was only a flower on the field, I would kick it."
Successful people look at someone who is outstanding and take steps to become like them. The unsuccessful tell themselves they will never be as good.
At half time, Thomas Castaignede, the French commentator, said: "If the French continue the way they are playing they will lose but if they play entertaining football they might win."
France started the second half with some determined attacks down both flanks. The players seemed to have been given permission to run with the ball rather than try to kick it at every opportunity.
A penalty for obstruction went to France who gained another three points. 13-6
Carter tried a drop goal and missed. Thierry Dusatoir of Toulouse, on the other hand, scored a try and Beauxis converted it. 13-13 France were now looking to play rugby!
France had had a taste of success and began to feel they could score and even go on to beat the New Zealand team. The All Blacks who looked like they could score at will in the first half were now finding it hard to get points.
They had failed to kill off the French when they had the chance. Successful people do not cruise when they are on top of things. They push on to keep the momentum and the victory going.
France, the tournament hosts, were now head to head with the tournament favourites. The Northern Hemisphere were stacking up much better than
expected against their Southern Hemisphere opponents.
New Zealand came back at the French and scored a try. They now had a narrow lead of five points. 18-13.
Frederic Michalak was sent on after 67 minutes to rescue the quarter final for France. He replaced Beauxis.
One minute later, Michalak sprinted 25m and spun round as the tacklers closed in. He gave the ball to Yannick Jauzion who scored a try which sent the French fans into ecstasy.
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, the French scrum half, converted the try and France were in the lead for the first time. 18-20 with ten minutes to play.
Sometimes things just go your way. French winger Vincent Clerc was going nowhere and took a swing at the ball. It sailed 60m and took a lucky bounce into touch. The French crowd rejoiced! Fate was on their side.
New Zealand attacked desperately and even tried a drop kick which failed. The French defence held firm against attack after attack and France had won the match!
October 6th 2007 will go down in history as one of the great days in rugby. Two underdogs, England and France, had beaten two favourites - the invincible Australians and the unbeatable All Blacks!
This was a happy day for all who feel like underdogs. There is hope for us all!
The joy of France contrasted with the misery of New Zealand. The All Blacks now have to wait another four years to get another shot at the world cup.
No one thought France would do it but they did. They played with passion and skill and then shut the game down to win by two points.
Thomas Castaignede celebrated: "If we can beat the All Blacks we can win the world cup."
Like a true Frenchman, he had the courtesy to say 'Sorry' to Sean FitzPatrick, the New Zealand commentator, for knocking his team out of the tournament!
Martin Bayfield who presented the game summed up the whole day: "The much maligned Northern Hemisphere found its heart today. Green and gold and all black were overshadowed by white and blue today. It feels pretty good to me."
In Paris there was ecstasy. People hugged each other, danced and sang in the streets. Back in England, I was delighted and could hardly believe what had happened. If the world cup had ended on that Saturday, I would not have minded. I now knew for certain that miracles are possible!
Both England and France had proved that you can do the impossible not once but twice and that miracles still do happen in the 21st century.
What success lessons can we learn and apply to our own lives? I need these lessons as much as anyone else.
Create your own image of the difficulties ahead. Don't exaggerate them or let others exaggerate them. Exaggerating problems is one way to stop your dreams dead.
Realize that the way you look can raise or lower your self-confidence. Take steps to look the part whatever it is.
Mingle with successful people to pick up their mindset and habits
Put in hours of practice at the skills you need to reach your goals.
Look at someone who is outstanding and take steps to become like them. Don't tell yourself that you will never be as good.
Do not take it easy when you are on top of things. Push on to keep the momentum and the victory going.
Believe that you can do the impossible and you just might achieve not just one but two or more miracles.
Remember Saturday, October 6th 2007 for the rest of your life! Allez les blancs et les bleus!
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