Tokyo (AFP)

On a positive note: coach Steve Hansen, captain Kieran Read and winger Ben Smith closed their huge All Blacks career with a third-place finish at the World Cup, won hands-down against the outmoded Welsh (40-50). 17), Friday in Tokyo.

This third bronze medal, after those of 1991 and 2003, will not erase the loss of the double world crown and a first defeat in the competition since 2007, but it should bring a little balm to black hearts.

After the disillusionment of the semi-final largely lost against England (19-7), the New Zealanders have remobilized to offer a gift of departure to Hansen, after fifteen years of good and loyal service, including eight as coach , marked by a world title (2015) and six Rugby Championship. And a staggering record of 83 wins in 107 test-matches.

"It was important to get back on track after last week's disappointment, to honor the jersey and our fans, and I'm really proud of the boys," Hansen said.

On the other hand, his Welsh counterpart and compatriot, Warren Gatland, will not have managed, like in 2011 (defeat against Australia), to hoist the Leek XV on a world podium for his last match at the head of the selection. He took charge in late 2007, leading it to the roof of Europe four times, three Grand Slams in the tournament of six nations to the key (2008, 2012 and 2019).

Beaten by a breath by South Africa last Sunday (19-16), Gatland and the Welsh this time can not feed big regrets.

They were largely dominated by Read's All Blacks, whose international career, also rich in two world titles, ended on Friday night, at age 34, on a 127th selection and a 52nd captaincy. To overtake Sean Fitzpatrick behind the untouchable Richie McCaw (110-time captain).

- Doubled for Ben Smith -

The N.8, who symbolically led the haka and was cheered by New Zealand fans when he was questioned on the pitch after the match (like Hansen, visibly touched), and his teammates benefited, in Tokyo, of what they had missed in the semifinals to set up their game, made of passes after-contact (17 Friday) and taken intervals (16 crossings, 34 defenders beaten): time and space.

Result: six tries registered to enjoy the largesse of the Welsh, who had decided this time, unlike their semifinal, not to close the game. Unfortunately for them, they also opened the valves in defense (25% missed veneers) ) to lose almost any hope of victory at halftime (28-10).

In this feast, Ben Smith (33 years, 84 sel.) Won the lion's share before he also put away the black jersey with silver fern.

Setting the title of 2015, relegated to the stands in Japan, the future player of Pau has scored a double, infiltrating the Gruyère defense of the XV Leek (33rd) before concluding in a beautiful corner and inspired double jumped Aaron Smith (40th + 1). The winger or back could have even afforded a hat-trick if his test had not been refused, after video refereeing, for a forward pass (48th).

Eleven minutes before winger Josh Adams scores his seventh attempt in the competition, to overtake Shane Williams in a Welsh World Cup tryout (6 in 2007) and take an option on the title of best marker pen. Waiting for the big final on Saturday.

© 2019 AFP