Steve Cauthen believes Frankie Dettori is “odds-on” to be back at Royal Ascot last year, despite him officially closing the book on his European chapter on a memorable Qipco British Champions Day.
Dettori has always been pure box office and he made sure of a Hollywood ending as he bookended the card with two fine demonstrations of his prowess in the saddle, conjuring an extra finishing flourish aboard Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup before a power-packed drive on King Of Steel for a last-gasp Champion Stakes success.
He will now prepare for engagements at the Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong International meeting before a permanent switch to America, where he will be based in California as he enters the twilight of his exceptional career.
Cauthen – the only man to win the Derby and Kentucky Derby – was at Ascot to be inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame, and he lauded Dettori’s achievements across the world.
He said: “Frankie and I go back such a long way and have so many great memories. He’s been a huge asset to our sport, unfurling his flag throughout the spectrum of world racing with unparalleled success. It’s a pleasure to be able to be with him on this special day at the scene of his ‘Magnificent Seven’.”
With Dettori already having reversed his decision on total retirement, Cauthen was asked by ITV Racing if he thinks Dettori will be seen riding at next year’s Royal Ascot and he simply replied: “Odds-on.”
Dettori’s wife Catherine was on hand to savour the Ascot farewell, but she offered a more cautionary note on the possibility of a British return.
She said: “Who knows, I would hate to say and I think he will have to make that decision.”
Dettori’s victory on King Of Steel raised the Ascot roof and his wife, who was accompanied by their children, admitted it was a dream result.
She said: “I can’t believe it to be honest. We were just in with the winning connections and we screamed the house down. I do apologise to everybody else who was in there, but I had my whole troops with me apart from one who hasn’t made it. Amazing.
“I don’t want to give him a big head but I mean, what a special day.”
Trawlerman’s victory provided a perfect note upon which to end Dettori’s association with John Gosden, who now trains in partnership with his son Thady and has long been one of the rider’s greatest supporters – as well as a critic when required.
He said: “When he’s at this peak there’s no greater, he lets the crowd carry him, he operates very much on that.
“He’s enormous energy, a fabulous talent but Sir Alex Ferguson would have found him hard to manage sometimes as well.
“Without doubt he is the most phenomenal jockey I’ve ever put on a horse, pound for pound the greatest and I’ve been lucky enough to leg-up a lot of great jockeys over the years.”
Dettori’s career has encompassed rides for an inestimable amount of owners and all will surely have special memories of one of racing’s greats donning their colours on the track.
Highclere Racing supremo Harry Herbert is one such fan, with their relationship having expanded beyond purely the professional.
He said: “He rode our first ever winner at Haydock on Alcove in 1993. Rather remarkably he rode our first Royal Ascot winner, Heritage, trained by John Gosden.
“He’s ridden many winners for us and then when I had my time with Al Shaqab (for whom Dettori was retained rider until 2018), I had a wonderful association with him and we became close mates.
“What he has done for this sport is incalculable. You see the first race here today, the roar from the crowd but also the ride he gave Trawlerman was incredible. I think it is a retirement with a small ‘r’!
“I wish him all the best, he’s a superstar and for Highclere he has been sensational.”
William Haggas is under no illusions of the space Dettori’s departure will leave in British racing, with the trainer pointing to his closing victory as evidence of his exceptional ability in the saddle.
He said: “Only he could have done that. He rode a brilliant race in the first and then he’s come from last when you have needed to be on the speed today. He came from last in a fantastic race and what a way to finish.
“We owe him so much and we will miss him – and I mean we really will miss him.”
Charlie Johnston saddled a winner with his only runner on Qipco British Champions Day as The Gatekeeper ground out a deserved victory in the Balmoral Handicap.
Owned by Middleham Park Racing, the 25-1 shot was always in the ideal spot, up with the pace and on the far side of the Ascot straight.
Ascot specialist Ropey Guest and the Hayley Turner-ridden Docklands tried their hardest to reel in soft-ground loving The Gatekeeper, but Joe Fanning had a willing partner and he kept on stoutly for a one-length triumph in the ultra-competitive finale to Champions Day.
“We knew he would like the ground, I don’t know that it’s key to him but we knew he would handle it,” said Johnston’s father, Mark.
“I couldn’t help but note that front-runners have done particularly well today, so Mike Prince (of Middleham Park) said to Joe, ‘jump and bowl along’, which is what we tend to do anyway.
“I think that’s probably it (for the year), the owner is talking about the Lincoln for next year.”
Frankie Dettori treated his British fans to one last piece of magic as he steered King Of Steel to victory in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The weighing-room legend teamed up with Roger Varian’s charge for the final ride of his British career, with Dettori now heading off on a series of international engagements before a move to America for the final leg of his exceptional career.
Ever the showman, Dettori ensured he brought the curtain down in style, guiding 3-1 favourite King Of Steel from last to first in the Ascot straight to grab a narrow verdict over Via Sistina.
With the Ascot crowd chanting, ‘oh, Frankie Dettori’, the Italian returned to the winner’s enclosure for a final flying dismount to rapturous celebrations.
He said: “It’s emotional really, I don’t know what to say. I cannot believe it, the crowd have been sublime. I was doing my best on top and the scream that I got was just incredible, thanks to all of you.
“What a feeling, the crowd! For the first race I thought the crowd were good but they took it to another level, it was honestly incredible.
“It’s a fairytale ending to me, Ascot is my home. I’m pretty emotional to be honest, but happy tears!”
He had earlier got off to a perfect start, as Trawlerman battled back gamely for victory in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, the first race of the day.
Trawlerman (9-1) was left in front around half a mile from home in the two-mile affair, as pacesetting Maxident dropped away sharply.
Dettori looked a sitting duck as 11-10 favourite Kyprios reeled him in down the straight, passing him with two furlongs to run, but Dettori had saved something and showed all his skill in mounting another challenge.
Reining his mount back in, he switched to Kyprios’ outside and Trawlerman stuck his head out on the line to grab victory.
Dettori said: “I heard the roar of the crowd – oh my god it was special – especially when I was cutting him back, I couldn’t believe it.
“I’ve beaten one of my greatest rivals who I have tremendous respect for in Ryan Moore, on my final day. Sensational.
“He passed me comfortably and I thought he was going to go and win by 20 lengths, but once he didn’t get away from me I thought I maybe had a little bit left. In fairness to the horse he kept going.”
John Gosden, who trains Trawlerman with his son, Thady, said: “Imagine if he (Dettori) wins the next – it’ll take the roof off the place. Kinross likes this ground – he could be on for a double. We’ll never hear the end of it, will we?!”
But it was not to be two from two for Dettori, as this time it was his turn to be reeled in, with 40-1 chance Art Power fighting back to deny hot favourite Kinross in the British Champions Sprint.
Free Wind was next for Dettori in the Fillies & Mares Stakes, but while she flattered briefly the Gosden-trained mare could manage only fifth behind brave all-the-way winner Poptronic.
Then it was 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but he never got in a blow, finishing well adrift of a very impressive winner in Big Rock, trained in France by Christopher Head, before King Of Steel gave everyone the result they wanted.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice as Napoli relaunched their Serie A title defence with a 3-1 victory at struggling Hellas Verona.
Recent underwhelming form saw Rudi Garcia’s men suffer a home defeat by Fiorentina last time out but they were always likely to get more from a trip to a Verona side who were winless in six matches heading into Saturday afternoon’s clash.
Matteo Politano made the first-half breakthrough before Kvaratskhelia scored either side of the break to render Darko Lazovic’s response largely redundant as Napoli consolidated themselves in fifth, not far behind the leading pack.
Napoli were first to threaten as Giacomo Raspadori forced Lorenzo Montipo to punch clear from a venomous free-kick in the seventh minute.
Raspadori soon tried again, this time connecting with a Mario Rui touch to test Montipo from distance. The Verona goalkeeper parried for a corner but he was not so successful in the 27th minute when Napoli opened the scoring.
Mario Rui, Piotr Zielinski and Raspadori tied Verona up in knots with a series of short passes before the latter crossed to an unmarked Politano for a volleyed left-footed finish at the far post.
There was almost a quickfire second when Jens Cajuste, put through by the slick Raspadori, spanked it wide from a one-on-one with Montipo.
Kvaratskhelia gave Napoli a two-goal lead before half-time, however. A rapid counter-attack down the right side gave Politano plenty of time to pick out the Georgian on the other flank for a low drive inside the near post.
Verona tried to slash the deficit as soon as play resumed, with Federico Bonazzoli latching onto Milan Djuric’s pass and fizzing it towards Alex Meret in the Napoli goal.
Instead Kvaratskhelia fired the Partenopei well clear when, in the 55th minute, he collected another Politano assist and coolly beat Montipo.
Lazovic promptly bit back for wounded Verona, though, when the visitors failed to deal with Davide Faraoni’s cross on the hour mark and the Serbian scorched one in.
With a potential comeback on the cards the game opened up and Djuric and Politano enjoyed opportunities at either end before Meret pulled off a desperate stop to deny Bonazzoli before needing to keep Lazovic at bay not long after.
Substitute Alessio Zerbin looked to rubber-stamp the Napoli win as time ticked away but Montipo prevented further damage by blocking the daisy cutter with his legs, limiting the winning margin to two goals.
King Of Steel provided Frankie Dettori with the perfect send-off as they combined for a fairytale success in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Roger Varian’s Derby runner-up was the Italian’s final mount on British soil before jetting off for his new venture in California and they proved a match made in heaven in the British Champions Day feature.
Dettori’s historic achievements at Ascot need no introduction, but it is also the scene of some of King Of Steel’s finest performances this term, including a victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Placed towards the rear of the field as a lit-up My Prospero took the field along, Dettori had to be at his very best as he steered the son of Wootton Bassett from last to first.
The duo still had plenty of ground to make up as the final furlong loomed, but the stamina reserves of the 3-1 favourite kicked into top gear when it mattered most, to ensure the Dettori swansong got its ultimate conclusion and the crowds burst into raptures chanting the Italian’s name.
King Of steel came home three-quarters of a length clear of George Boughey’s filly Via Sistina, with French raider Horizon Dore back in third.
Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton has died aged 86, his family have announced in a statement.
Charlton was a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and also enjoyed great success at club level with United, who became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
A statement on behalf of the Charlton family said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family.”
Preston boss Ryan Lowe hailed a hard-earned point as his side snapped their three-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at home to Millwall.
It took just three minutes for North End to get on the scoresheet, as Danish striker Mads Frokjær-Jensen coolly slotted home his third goal of the season.
But the Lions, in their first match following the dismissal of Gary Rowett earlier this week, hit back through a magical turn and finish from Zian Flemming after half an hour.
Both sides had chances to take all three points, with Millwall youngster Aidomo Emakhu rattling the crossbar and Ched Evans going close for the hosts on his return from injury after seven months out.
And Lowe was relieved to take a point from a breathless affair as his side look to return to their early-season form.
“It’s all about finding a way to get points on the board, and we’ve done that today,” he said.
“We were fantastic in the first 15 minutes, but then they pegged us back. Flemming is a top player, and he’s put their equaliser right in the top bins.
“We’ve got bodies up the pitch and we created a really strong impetus, but it just wasn’t enough unfortunately.
“Millwall were really hanging on towards the end, but as I’ve said many times before, if you can’t win, just make sure you don’t lose.
“The final ball just quite wasn’t there I suppose. It was a 90 per cent performance from us today, but we need another per cent.
“We know exactly what Millwall are like. They’re a decent side, but we have to move on now and see what Wednesday brings.”
A major positive for Lowe was the return of striker Evans, who came off the bench after recovering from surgery for a neck and spine problem that had left him sidelined since April.
“Just to see Ched on the pitch was brilliant. I’m really pleased for him,” added Lowe.
“It’s been a long time coming, and he looked a real threat, just as we expect.
“Ched’s a warrior, he’s had a big scare, but I’m pleased for him and his family that he’s fully fit again.”
Millwall came into the lunchtime kick-off after a dramatic week in South London that saw Rowett relieved of his duties after four years in charge at the Den.
Interim boss Adam Barrett praised the way his players have dealt with the situation to earn a valuable point on the road.
“I was delighted with the application and the attitude of all the lads,” he said.
“It’s been a hectic few days with what’s gone on, but the lads are experienced and it’s all been quite seamless really. This is football, and we move on.
“I’m delighted with the point. It was quite a nervy start from the lads, and we didn’t get out of the blocks in the manner I’d have liked.
“We reacted really well after that opening 10 or 15 minutes, though. We moved the ball well and got ourselves a great goal.
“The second half was a bit scrappy, and a bit too stop-start. I was pleased with how the lads dug in, though. This is a good point away at a really strong Preston side.”
There was yet another victory for France in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot as Big Rock delivered a devastating display on Qipco British Champions Day.
Often the bridesmaid when racing at the highest level this year, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar had finished second in the Prix du Jockey Club, Prix Jacques le Marois and Prix du Moulin in his last three starts.
However, Christopher Head’s brilliant colt finally got his moment in the spotlight, making every yard in the one-mile Group One feature.
Immediately taking his customary position at the head of proceedings, his rivals were left chasing shadows as big-race jockey Aurelien Lemaitre kept upping the tempo.
Having built up a healthy lead, it was Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra who decided to break cover from the pack first, with Chris Hayes setting the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine in pursuit.
But there was no catching Big Rock (5-1) who kept on galloping in the rain-softened ground to register an emphatic six-length success and also lead home a French one-two, as Jerome Reynier’s Facteur Cheval stayed on past a tiring Tahiyra in the dying strides to grab the silver medal.
Short-priced favourite Paddington beat only two home, one of those being 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean.
George Russell said he has banned himself from using social media and reading the news because it does not bring him any positivity.
The Mercedes driver has a combined following of nearly seven million on X and Instagram.
But Russell, 25, who was involved in a first-corner collision with team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the last round in Qatar, says he has stepped back from using the platforms.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Russell said: “I stopped using Twitter (‘X’) about six months ago.
“I work with a social team and everything that is posted is in my own words and is signed off through me. I want to stay connected with the fans. But I don’t use the app and I have started to do the same with Instagram.
“I respect that everyone has an opinion. But I don’t need to read the praise because that doesn’t bring me anything, and I don’t need to see the negative comments because that doesn’t bring me anything either.
“But when I stopped using Twitter (‘X’), whenever I was on my phone I was on Instagram, and when I stopped using Instagram, I thought I needed to look at something, so I started to read the news. But every headline was negative.
“Other than being informed about what is going on in the world, reading negative headlines one after another didn’t bring anything to me, so now I am totally off social media.”
Russell heads into the final five rounds of the campaign eighth in the standings, 62 points and five places adrift of Hamilton.
“It all stemmed after the summer break when I didn’t use my phone at all,” added Russell, who will line up from fifth on the grid for his 100th race in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
“During that period when I had my family and friends around me, I had an average screen time of 15 minutes. In a normal week I have an average screen time of three hours.
“I saw a post that said, ‘if you use your phone on average for four hours a day, by the time you die you will have spent 15 years looking at your phone’.
“And when I read that, I was like, ‘Jesus I could spend 15 years of my life on my phone.’ I can do something wiser than scrolling through Instagram memes.”
Sam James enjoyed his biggest day in the saddle, with Poptronic all heart to deliver a surprise victory in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.
A winner of the Lancashire Oaks earlier in the season, Karl Burke’s four-year-old was sent off at an unfancied 22-1 after disappointing in Group One company the last twice.
However, she showed her quality on British Champions Day and having been to the fore throughout in the hands of James – who was striking at Group One level for the first time – she had plenty in the tank as those from a positions further back presented a stern challenge in the closing stages.
Both eventual second Bluestocking and the 3-1 favourite Jackie Oh in third stayed on stoutly to push Poptronic all the way inside the final half-furlong, but they could not get by the gutsy northern raider, who finished a neck clear at the winning post. Frankie Dettori had to settle for fifth place with Free Wind.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and jockey Hayley Turner had lucky escapes as Storm Babet continued to wreak havoc in the UK.
Alexander-Arnold was involved in an accident after a 40ft electricity pylon smashed onto a car in front of the England international, according to The Sun.
The high voltage power line was pulled up by 70mph winds and landed in front of Alexander-Arnold’s black Range Rover near Knutsford, Cheshire, the newspaper reported.
Alexander-Arnold reportedly slammed on the brakes before colliding with a BMW X5. Cheshire police said nobody was injured in the incident.
The footballer’s agent was contacted by the PA news agency, but declined to comment on the story.
Turner made it safely to Ascot on Saturday after requiring a dramatic rescue from her flooded car the previous day.
She was expecting to ride in Redcar on Friday but never made it to the North East track after having to place an emergency call when her car was stranded nearby in a flood caused by Storm Babet.
Turner told ITV Racing: “My dream was nearly in place, but I had a bit of an incident yesterday. Basically my car is floating down the Great North Road somewhere on my way to Redcar.
“I had to call 999 and get the fireman to come and rescue me – I actually got a fireman’s lift out of my car window.
“The horse then won about 15 lengths so a very frustrating day. I’m car-less and win-less as well.”
The storm showed no signs of abating as downpours continued to batter the UK on Saturday, with three people dead and another red “danger to life” warning in place.
Ross County’s home match against St Mirren in the cinch Premiership became the latest fixture to be postponed north of the border.
After conversations with the SPFL and Police Scotland, the decision was taken to call the game off on Saturday morning with supporters’ safety in mind.
A club statement said a new date and kick-off time would be rearranged in due course.
Several others fell victim to the storm on Friday, including Aberdeen’s home game against Dundee and Motherwell’s trip to St Johnstone.
Other Saturday fixtures to be postponed included Mansfield’s home clash with Forest Green in Sky Bet League Two, and Altrincham’s match against Dorking in the Vanarama National League.
Chesterfield’s home fixture against Gateshead was also called off “on the recommendation of various external partner agencies”.
The Scottish Championship game between Arbroath and Raith Rovers – in the worst-hit area of Angus – was postponed, as was Greenock’s match against Inverness.
Cove Rangers against Montrose in League One was also postponed along with two games in League Two – Elgin versus Forfar and Stenhousemuir against Peterhead.
Saturday’s race card at Market Rasen was also postponed due to standing water on areas of the track.
An inspection was held on Friday but the race course confirmed after 50mm of rainfall in the area that the decision was made to abandon the meeting.
Rotherham’s Championship game with Ipswich, scheduled to be played on Friday night, was also postponed due to the stormy conditions.
The area was hit with torrential rain which caused the River Don, which runs behind the AESSEAL New York Stadium, to burst its banks which left areas around the stadium flooded.
Mohamed Salah became the first Liverpool player since Peter Beardsley 32 years ago to score in Anfield’s opening four league matches with both goals in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Everton in the 243rd Merseyside derby.
Ashley Young, who has played in some of the world’s biggest cross-city clashes in Manchester, Milan and Birmingham, was sent for a second bookable offence shortly before half-time to make the Toffees’ task of ending their woeful record across Stanley Park even more difficult.
Salah converted a 75th-minute penalty after a Michael Keane handball and then converted a counter-attack in added time which meant the Everton fans present were still to see a ‘live’ victory at Anfield since 1999 as their only win in 2021 came behind closed doors during the Covid era.
Egypt international Salah’s penalty was the 15th consecutive Premier League match in which he had either scored or assisted and brought up Liverpool’s 50th goal against Everton at Anfield in the Premier League.
It was also his 200th career league goal, but his second was his 104th at home for Liverpool, taking him past greats Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard into fifth place on the club’s all-time Anfield scorers list.
But despite Salah’s stellar statistics this was far from a classic derby encounter, even it was a predictably typical one.
Young’s 37th-minute red card – the 29th in this fixture and the 13th of the last 16 to be shown to Everton players – was not quite a turning point as Liverpool were well on top even at that stage but it was contentious.
Luis Diaz looked to have somewhat bought the first yellow when he went down after a tackle on the halfway line but once referee Craig Pawson had given that he had no option when Everton’s right-back brought down the Colombia international on the edge of the area.
Sean Dyche’s response at half-time was to replace his two wingers – Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil – with defenders Nathan Patterson and Michael Keane and switch to a back five.
It did little for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s prospects, whose only opportunity came just 36 seconds into the game when he headed tamely at Alisson Becker.
After that it was virtually one-way traffic, although Liverpool’s best openings seemed to come on the counter-attack and often from Everton attacking set-pieces.
They had a four-on-two at one stage but when Dominik Szoboszlai released Diaz in the penalty area his delayed shot that allowed Young to block.
Trent Alexander-Arnold drove a free-kick into the wall, Salah muscled McNeil off a 50-50 and curled a shot just over and an Alexis Mac Allister half-volley from 30 yards was claimed at the second attempt by Jordan Pickford.
But Klopp’s side were nowhere near their sharpest in the final third and that played right into Everton’s hands.
Young’s sending-off tipped the balance even further in favour of the home side but they continued to be repelled with Salah’s 52nd-minute shot blocked by James Tarkowski.
Everton’s numerical disadvantage and lack of wingers emboldened Klopp to replace left-back Kostas Tsimikas, making his first start of the season in place of the long-term injured Andy Robertson, with Diaz to allow the introduction of Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
Konate, whom Everton’s coaching staff felt should also have had a second yellow card for a foul on Calvert-Lewin’s replacement Beto, was also removed for his own good.
Keane must have wished he could have been afford the same courtesy when his outstretched arm blocked Diaz’s cross.
Dawson initially gave a corner but VAR advised him to review the pitchside monitor and he reversed his decision and Salah sent Pickford the wrong way from the spot.
Elliott and Jota both went close as the onslaught continued but it was Salah who benefited from Nunez’s quick counter-attack as he clipped home his second as Liverpool extended their record to one defeat in the last 28 derbies and Everton slumped to a sixth loss of the season.
Preston halted a run of three straight defeats with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home to managerless Millwall.
Now without the departed Gary Rowett, the Lions turned in a solid display as the hosts struggled to find a way through their resolute defence.
An at-times feisty encounter produced an eye-catching opening half-an-hour, but after that it never really scaled the heights at any point.
Preston’s Duane Holmes had already gone close before Adam Barrett’s second stint in caretaker charge of the Lions got off to a nightmare start.
In only the third minute a smart North End move culminated with Will Keane flicking the ball to Mads Frokjaer-Jensen, and the talented Dane coolly slotted past Bartosz Bialkowski from 12 yards.
Ryan Lowe’s hosts had flown out of the blocks, but Millwall were then thwarted by the woodwork in the eighth minute.
Aidomo Emakhu darted down the right before seeing a deflected strike brilliantly palmed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
A real ding-dong battle continued with North End going close again when Holmes ran energetically through the middle before his rasping shot was beaten away by Bialkowski.
At the other end Emakhu charged towards the heart of the North End defence before seeing Woodman calmly hold on to his 20-yard drive.
A cracking strike evened the scores on the half-hour mark as Allan Campbell played a neat touch to Zian Flemming, with the Dutchman then curling home sweetly into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Millwall created the first opening of the second period, with tidy approach play setting up Campbell inside the box, but he fired disappointingly straight at Woodman.
As the Lions continued to press, Flemming dived in spectacularly but could not quite stretch enough to meet Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s super cross.
Finally the hosts found themselves some forward rhythm, only for the Lions’ rear-guard to continually stand strong.
As the 70-minute mark passed there was precious little goalmouth incident, though North End threatened when Brad Potts’ volleyed cross deflected off Millwall’s Joe Bryan before being saved by an alert Bialkowski.
Ched Evans – on as a substitute after missing seven months out injured – also went close with a flicked header.
Millwall replied with Flemming firing a rather disappointing free-kick way off target with the final action of the game, something that summed up what had been a hugely below-par effort from both teams in the second 45 minutes.
Will Jordan would happily sacrifice his place in the history books if it means New Zealand lift the World Cup for an unprecedented fourth time.
Jordan claimed a hat-trick of tries in Friday’s 44-6 semi-final rampage against Argentina in Paris, making him the deadliest finisher at France 2023 on eight touch downs.
It also placed him in the company of all time-greats Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea, who jointly hold the record for highest number of tries scored at a single World Cup.
The 25-year-old has Saturday’s final against either England or South Africa to rise above that exalted trio, but he insists chasing individual glory is a peripheral concern.
“The World Cup win is what we all came over here to do. I will be perfectly happy to take a zero on the scoresheet if it means we get the job done,” Jordan said.
“It’s a team game and the group is really focused at the moment around what we want to do. Hopefully I can play my part in that.
“It is pretty humbling to be included alongside those guys. They were all huge legends of the game and, particularly in the position I play, really trail-blazed the way to play the game as a winger. So that’s pretty cool.
“It definitely wasn’t anything I set out to do or anything like that, but it’s nice to be able to do that in amongst the team going so well.”
It was almost the perfect night for New Zealand at the Stade de France as they swatted aside Argentina as if it was an exhibition match, rested legs by emptying the entire bench and finished without any cards or suspensions.
The Pumas, meanwhile, will play in the bronze final on Friday with assistant coach Juan Fernandez Lobbe adamant that it is a game with meaning.
“The disappointment is very, very big. We came to want to play in the final and we couldn’t,” former Argentina forward Lobbe said.
“The team is very clear – and they made it clear after the semi-final – that finishing with a medal is important.
“I finished in third place in 2007 and fourth in 2015 and they are not the same. So it’s a very important game.
“It means going on Friday with total determination, with our way, our weapons. It would be a very good closing of the World Cup for us.”
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