Following England’s heart-wrenching loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Saturday night, Owen Farrell delivered a dignified response.
Despite the 32-year-old’s flawless performance in scoring all the points for Steve Borthwick’s team, it fell short of clinching a historic triumph against the Springboks, who will now meet New Zealand in the upcoming final at the Stade de France.
“I am unbelievably proud of this group and what they have done over this past few months together,” said Farrell
“It has not all gone our way as everybody knows, we have had everything thrown at us. It has been a rollercoaster.
“I’m glad where we have built to, but gutted we don’t have a crack at the big one next week. I am massively proud of this group and I hope everyone back home is as well.
“We came up with a plan during the week and the weather conditions played a part in it as well. We started the game really well, we shocked them at times and they made a few changes to change what they were doing. Credit to them fighting their way back into it and finding a way to win at the end.
Social reaction:
One fan wrote: “Well said. @owen_faz you proved a lot of people wrong.”
A second said: “Knew Faz would have a great game. Always steps up. What surprised me was Daly was superb, made me eat my words, well played sir.”
Another commented: “Great post match from Farrell. Great game from the team and they should be proud of that effort.”
“Cost them the game” – Four players who underperformed for England in semi-final
We take at four players who weren’t able to deliver their best performances as England fell to a narrow defeat to South Africa in the World Cup semi-final.
#1. Manu Tuilagi
Guardian 5/10: “ Penalty against for pushing after England had done so well to stop South Africa maul but tackled hard as he always does.”
Telegraph 6/10: “Barely used as an attacking weapon but filled his role in keeping the Springbok midfield honest. One silly penalty for grabbing Reinach nearly proved costly.”
Planet Rugby 6/10: ” Made some decent hits in midfield but we understandably didn’t see much of him with ball in hand.”