Hard to believe, but there is one game no-one at the World Cup wanted to play in: the runners-up contest.
Yes, there is the excitement of playing in what the French like to call the Temple of Rugby, but it’s the equivalent of the B film in a 1950s cinema.
This France-New Zealand game forms part of a different type of double-header, the starter before the main course.
Both squads were devastated by their loss in the semi-finals. Years of toil brought up short of the ultimate target – except for the 7s players drafted in late. They can now return to the joys of the SVNS Series.
New Zealand
The loss to Canada came as a big blow, though it didn’t surprise many Kiwi critics of the Black Ferns’ progress. Many cagey bookmakers had predicted it too.
As in the South Africa match, the Black Ferns got off to a slow start. When the margin reached 34-7 the game was past retrieving. Not even two brave late tries could save the day.
Clear-eyed Kiwis had long been aware of shortcomings, not least up front, where the pack couldn’t sustain pressure right through. Talent out behind cannot perform without a solid platform to work on.
The NZR board will take a long hard look at performances right through the tournament. Allan Bunting and his assistants will be lucky if they survive a cull. They have overseen losses to Canada, England, France and Ireland.
As with many other squads, we may have seen the last of honoured senior players, such as Brazier, Setefano and Woodman-Wickliffe.
There are several fine young players in the squad, but 2029 may seem a long way away to them.
France
Their position is different. Far from being recurrent champions, they set out three years ago to win a first place in a final and a first trophy.
Now they can’t even be sure of gaining a ninth third place.
They went into the England game minus the services of Joanna Grisez, Lisa Queyroi and the two suspended players. Even then, they came close to lowering English colours.
The French post-tournament review may prove even more fascinating than the Kiwi one.
The two co-coaches are no more certain of retaining their posts than Bunting and Co.
More basically, will the board continue with its controversial contracts policy? Many French pundits see it as the prime cause of current failures to reach the top.
Les Bleues now face the Black Ferns in an attempt to retain their remarkable hold on third place at RWCs. They have beaten them five times before; only England boast a better record against the recurrent champions.
At least one of the French team will be making her last appearance, Marine Menager.
A small recompense: one squad will return home with medals around their necks. They’re just the wrong colour.
Match details
Date: Saturday 27 September
Venue: Twickenham Stadium
KO: 12.30 BST
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Afterthoughts
We now know the officials for the two biggest games.
Ella Goldsmith’s appointment is a triumph for her. At 27 she is the youngest of all the ten appointed referees.
Hollie Davidson has been honoured with a second final in succession, a very rare achievement.
This gives a sharp rebuke to the many anonymous voices who quibbled at her performance in Auckland.
