England rugby fans were left as miserable as the weather after their team’s defeat to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final in Japan, a repeat of their heartache after the Springboks’ victory in the 2007 final.
Supporters filled pubs up and down the country for the 9am kick-off, tucking into sausage rolls and pints of Guinness. The British Beer and Pub Association had predicted that 1m extra pints would be sold throughout Saturday if England were victorious.
But in keeping with the wet and windy weather across parts of the UK, the game turned into a damp squib for Eddie Jones’s side as South Africa’s swept to victory 32-12.
Handre Pollard’s penalties and late tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe made the difference, leaving England’s dreams of lifting the trophy in shreds.
Both the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, paid tribute to the England side on Twitter.
Commiserations to @englandrugby. It wasn't to be today but you've done us proud throughout this World Cup.#RWCFinal
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) November 2, 2019
Thank you @englandrugby for a terrific, thrilling tournament. You did us proud!
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 2, 2019
Congratulations to South Africa on the win. #RWC2019 https://t.co/dlVtBDgKl6
Harpenden Rugby Club in St Albans, where three of the World Cup team – captain Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and George Ford – trained, screened the game for around 350 fans.
Tom Stagg, a fly-half for Harpenden, told PA: “What can I say about this day that hasn’t been already said about my grandma’s funeral? It’s sad, it’s depressing and it’s going to end with a few beers.
“We have four ex-players from the club in the final, to lose is obviously very disappointing but it has been such a great trip and it has been awesome.”
Paul Wylie, 57, of Sevenoaks, said South Africa had been “strong and brutal”.
“I was worried that we peaked last week because it was a massive thing to beat New Zealand,” he said. “Their game today was too strong for us. They set their stall out and played a much tougher game. Getting to the final is a massive achievement in itself.”
Other fans had come out for the first time to see how England fared in the final, but left disappointed.
Thomas Bishop, 30, said: “I was expecting England to do better and they underperformed if anything.”
Dominic Maher, 34, added: “It’s the final and I just came out for the atmosphere but England massively underperformed. They had a lot of spirit in the first half but in the second half it went downhill rapidly.”
Those watching belted out songs including Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Rugby’s Coming Home, an anthem synonymous with last year’s football World Cup that was adapted after England’s emphatic win over New Zealand in the semi-final, which had raised expectations for Saturday’s finale.
Crewe & Nantwich RUFC in Cheshire, where the England flanker Tom Curry and his twin brother Ben played until they were 16 – also screened the match.
The vice-chair, Andy Pemberton, who helped to coach the twins during their time at the club, said: “To see one of your guys walking out, knowing he’s played at the pitches here at Crewe & Nantwich, is something special. The chest puffs out.
“You see him belting out the national anthem and it brings a tear to your eye.” Some supporters created Tom Curry masks.
In the Warwickshire town of Rugby, which gave its name to the game, the landlord of the Merchant Inn, James Reeve, opened up early but is now faced with the prospect of England fans drowning their sorrows for the rest of the day.
Thousands of England supporters had travelled the 6,000 miles to Yokohama this week, some in search of tickets for which they were willing to pay thousands of pounds. Prince Harry and Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino.
The prince did not, however, turn out to be a good luck charm for Jones’ men, who were hoping to repeat England’s 2003 triumph against Australia that turned Martin Johnson, Sir Clive Woodward and Jonny Wilkinson into sporting legends.
ITV’s coverage of the final was expected to attract a record television audience for a rugby match. The semi-final against the All Blacks peaked at 10 million viewers, almost three-quarters of the overall TV audience.
