Jon Swift
THE tragedy which befell Max Brito cast a pall over the World Cup and the Ivory Coast threequarter’s broken neck and subsequent paralysis will be one of the sad memories of South Africa ’95. But there were other moments to remember.
Kicks of the tournament: A toss-up between Joel Stransky’s matchwinner in the final, Zinzan Brooke’s staggering drop kick from halfway in the semifinal against England and the Rob Andrew’s quarter-final clincher against Australia.
Tackle of the tournament: The demolition of Jonah Lomu by Japie Mulder in the final and the joint Hennie le Roux-Joel Stransky cruncher on the line to hold out France in the dying seconds of the rain-sodden Durban
Tries of the tournament: The last of the Chester Williams quartet against Western Samoa when the winger forsook his accustomed method and was driven over by the South African forwards, and the Jonah Lomu score when he shrugged off three England tackles and then flattened fullback Mike Catt before going over.
Surprise selections of the tournament: Mark Andrews at No 8 in the semi-final against the French and Fabien Galthie ahead of Aubin Huebert in the same crucial
Disagreement of the tournament: Huebert’s off-field onderonsie with flyhalf Christophe Deylaud which led to Pierre Berbizier relegating him to occupying a seat on the French bench in the Durban semi-final.
Put down of the tournament: “Don’t worry mate. They’re the same size as you.” Kiwi broadcaster to debutant Simon Culhane before facing Japan in his first game at flyhalf for the All Blacks. Culhane scored a try and kicked 20 conversions.
Most unwelcome birthday present: South Africa’s 19-15 defeat of France on Tricolor coach Pierre Berbizier’s 37th birthday.
Statistical nightmare of the tournament: The All Blacks’ 21-try, 145-17 win over Japan in Bloemfontein and all the records which came crashing down on the final whistle.
Most significant conversion: Our soccer-loving state president donning a Springbok cap and jersey in support of the side he calls “my sons”.
Biggest media snub: The insensitivity to the 40-plus Japanese journalists from the tournament organisers in Bloemfontein. The “media centre” was closed for all but pre-match and match days and only opened at 9am, an hour too late for early deadlines in Tokyo.
Biggest media thumbsuck: The Kiwi journalist who put forward the “racist” allegations aimed at Joost van der Westhuizen after the Western Samoan quarterfinal. It flabbergasted the rainbow side and left management virtually speechless.
Commentator’s nightmare of the tournament: A toss up between Tongan prop Tu’akalau Fukofuka and Manu Samoan hooker Tala Leiasamaivao.
Unlucky breaks of the tournament: The fractured arms of scrumhalf Guy Accoceberry and flanker Philippe Benetton which hurt the French so deeply and Andre Joubert’s fractured hand.
Failed comic of the tournament: A “tongue-in-cheek” Louis Luyt at the post-final dinner.
Food critic of the tournament: All Black coach Laurie Mains who knows ptomaine poisoning when he sees it.