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South Africa beat New Zealand to win record fourth Rugby World Cup

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South Africa has defeated New Zealand 12-11 in Paris to be crowned Rugby World Champions for a record fourth time.

South Africans will be celebrating well into the night as their team remains unbeaten in World Cup finals and has become the first to hold up the Webb Ellis Trophy four times.

For the New Zealanders, the 2023 Rugby World Cup has finished just as it started: by losing at Stade de France.

Though the All Blacks fought hard, they could not overcome losing their captain Sam Cane in the 32nd minute of the match to a red card.

Gentle rain at Stade de France set the tone of a low-scoring match characterised by hard-hitting defence.

New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett was the only try scorer and all of South Africa’s 12 points were scored by the foot of Handré Pollard.

The old rivals and rugby’s historic heavyweights went into the match with similar World Cup runs. New Zealand lost the competition opener to France and South Africa was outmuscled by Ireland before both teams fought out intense quarter-finals to make it through.

Two weeks before the competition, the All Blacks and Springboks faced off at Twickenham in London on August 25. The Springboks handed the All Blacks their heaviest-ever defeat, beating them comfortably 35-7. In that game too, an All Black was sent off with a red card – Scott Barrett in the 39th minute.

But a lot can change in two months. In an atmosphere of severe criticism of both coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cain, New Zealand found their form when it mattered. They fine-tuned their defensive strategy and built upon each performance, dispatching Argentina with ease in the semi-final.

The team’s progress reignited rugby fever in the country that has dominated the rugby world over the last half-century. Flights from New Zealand to France rose to €3400 because of demand and schools told students they could ditch their uniforms and wear black.

Going into the match then, it was arguably South Africa whose too-close-for-comfort defeat in the semi-final by England seemed to reveal chinks in their armour and the limitations of their gameplan. But with players like Player of the Match Pieter-Steph du Toit, they were always a strong chance.

From the get-go, the All Blacks demonstrated they wanted to move the ball around but a yellow card in the 3rd minute to Shannon Frizell for foul play – which injured South Africa’s star hooker Bongi Mbonambi – handed the Springboks three easy points and a platform with which to dominate the opening period.

The All Blacks managed to survive the first ten minutes with 14 men on the field without conceding a try but penalties from both teams kept the scoreboard ticking over. After 20 minutes, South Africa led 9-3.

Again, in the 32nd minute, indiscipline got the better of the All Blacks, this time by Cane who, for committing a high tackle was given a yellow card that was later upgraded to red, leaving the All Blacks without their captain for the rest of the match.

Despite being one man down, the All Blacks did not crack before the break. They went into the sheds at halftime down 12-6 after a penalty each.

The Springboks returned from the break with high intensity, almost touching down twice on the right wing before captain Siya Kolisi was yellow-carded for a head collision on New Zealand’s Ardie Savea.

Again the pendulum swung back into New Zealand’s favour. A magnificent yet disallowed New Zealand failed to kill the All Black’s spirit. Beauden Barrett touched down on the corner five minutes later for the only try of the match, bringing the score to 12-11.

The remaining minutes were full of relentless New Zealand attack and exceptional South African defence.

After Cheslin Kolbe was given the match’s third yellow card, Jordie Barrett had an opportunity to put the All Blacks ahead in the 73rd minute but was unable to convert a penalty.

The Springboks held out and won their third consecutive game by a single point, demonstrating their skill at edging out close encounters.

Veteran warrior Sam Whitelock, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011 and 2015, did not become the first player to have three World Cups on his proverbial mantlepiece.

Unlike Whitelock, South African captain Kilisi did get his fairy tale ending. Rumoured to be retiring after this World Cup, he played an outstanding match, bowing out of World Cup rugby with class.

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Fuel prices upped

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The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (June 30).

The price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 12 to Rs. 305 per litre, while the price of Kerosene has been increased by Rs. 07 to Rs. 185 per litre. The price of Auto Diesel has also been increased by Rs. 15, bringing it to Rs. 289 per litre.

However, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super Diesel remain unchanged, according to Ceypetco.

The new fuel prices are as follows:

• Petrol Octane 92 – Rs. 305 (increased by Rs. 12)
• Auto Diesel – Rs. 289 (increased by Rs. 15)
• Kerosene – Rs. 185 (increased by Rs. 7)
• Petrol Octane 95 – Rs. 341 (not revised)
• Super Diesel – Rs. 325 (not revised)

Meanwhile, Lanka IOC has also revised retail fuel prices to match Ceypetco prices.

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Ex-minister Gamini Lokuge passes away

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Former Minister and veteran politician Gamini Lokuge has passed away today (June 30) at the age of 82.

Commencing his political career in 1960 as a member of the United National Party, his first successful national-level campaign came in 1983, when he was elected by a clear majority to represent the Kesbewa District.

He served as Minister of Tourism during the UNP-led governments in 1989 and 2002. In 2006, following personal disagreements with then UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, he crossed over to the government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In January 2007, Lokuge was appointed Minister of Sports and Public Recreation. He was re-elected to Parliament in both 2010 and 2015.

On 27 November 2019, he was appointed State Minister for Urban Development, and on 12 August 2020, he assumed duties as the Cabinet Minister of Transport.

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“Sri Lanka, only Asian country currently holding talks to revise Trumps’ tariffs”

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Sri Lanka is the only country in the Asia region currently holding discussions with officials in the United States to revise the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump earlier this year, according to Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando.

Joining the Parliamentary debate today (30), where MPs are debating the fiscal strategy statement of the government, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development stated that they are hopeful the government will be able get a better deal from the US regarding the 44% tariff imposed earlier this year.

A Sri Lankan delegation last month held discussions in Washington, D.C., focusing on tariff-related matters, following an invitation extended by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

The reciprocal tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump has been paused for 90 days at present.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando in Parliament stated that the government will take all steps within their powers to reduce the tariffs imposed by the US which will have a major bearing on many local industries.

The Deputy Minister while the government is taking such important steps to safeguard local companies, the opposition is only focused on jeopardizing the work of the present administration

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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