'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.
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.'”
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.
#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
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments