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'Never, before or after had I felt an atmosphere of malevolence like it'
World Rugby have begun live-streaming classic men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup matches to fill the rugby void for fans created by the coronavirus pandemic.
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The free-to-access streaming on the Rugby World Cup Facebook page kicked off with the RWC 1991 quarter-final between France and England.
Twenty-nine years later, one of the participants that day, Brian Moore, has been giving a brilliant blow by blow account of the match on Twitter as he re-watched it.
Moore, the starting English hooker, said the atmosphere at the game was one of the most intense he had ever experienced.
“The face off in the tunnel heightened the tension further as in those days teams never faced each other like this. It was always away side first followed by home side. The glaring and muttering was very hostile.”
1. the face off in the tunnel heightened the tension further as in those days teams never faced each other like this. It was always away side first followed by home side. The glaring and muttering was very hostile
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
“I looked down the French lineup and saw some on the verge of tears with pent up emotion. Never, before or after had I felt an atmosphere of malevolence like it.”
#engvfrarwc91 – I looked down the French lineup and saw some on the verge of tears with pent up emotion. Never, before or after had I felt an atmosphere of malevolence like it.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
“When the French got running and the crowd bayed it was impossible to hear anything. As all comms have said – ‘never experienced tension like it.'”
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Moore also revealed some of the English tactics that day, and how they planned to target French maestro Serge Blanco. “It was a plan to test Blanco and he didn’t like getting rucked. In those days refs didn’t always call the mark and you couldn’t hear it so Heslop was entitled to challenge. Punches from Blanco and Champ would be red today.”
It was a plan to test Blanco and he didn't like getting rucked. In those days refs didn't always call the mark and you couldn't hear it so Heslop was entitled to challenge. Punches from Blanco and Champ would be red today.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
“The plan was to tighten and tighten the game and force France to play. Then tackle and pressure and see them implode.”
#engvfrarwc91 The plan was to tighten and tighten the game and force France to play. then tackle and pressure and see them implode.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
Moore also pinpointed a scrum in which he recalls being eye-gouged. It’s unlikely that any Frenchman will be cited, however, as nearly three decades have passed since the incident.
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#engvfrarwc91 I got gouged at that scrum.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
Moore played against French backrow Mark Cecillon that day. Fifteen years after the match Cecillon shot his wife dead in front of 60 people at a party in Saint Savin in France. He was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was reduced to 14 on appeal. He was released early from prison after serving just seven years.
#engvfrarwc91 Yellow today for that charge by Mark Cecillon.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
The streaming has given modern-day fans a taste of rugby back in the ‘good old’ days. Many fans have been taken aback by the speed of the scrums.
“See how quick the scrums were in those days. 20 seconds from whistle to ball out after the strike. Another difference – then you just got on with it – today there would have been players surrounding the referee making square signs. And not every scrum that didn’t complete was a penalty.”
#engvfrarwc91 See how quick the scrums were in those days. 20 seconds from whistle to ball out after the strike.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
“See how low the front rows are without collapsing – that is due to feet not being parallel for the props – able to scrummage much lower than now.”
#engvfrarwc91 See how low the front rows are without collapsing – that is due to feet not being parallel for the props – able to scrummage much lower than now.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
Moore didn’t have too much sympathy for teammate Rob Andrew, who was being targeted by the French. “Another red today for Sella – we sympathised because Rob deserved what he got.”
#engvfrarwc91 Another red today for Sella – we sympthised because Rob deserved what he got.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
The behaviour of players has also changed, as noted by the no-nonsense frontrow turned commentator.
#engvfrarwc91 See the tackle/hit just after the whistle but no reaction as it was just what went on and the referee hadn't given it.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 21, 2020
While we’re all living in very strange and frightening times, the internet throwing up light entertainment gems like this is a blessing.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments