To Choke, to have Choked or
Choking is to lose one's composure and
fail to perform effectively in a critical situation.
In the world of Rugby Union this term is commonly used during the Rugby World Cup in reference to the
New Zealand Rugby team or "All Blacks".
Choke 1 - 1991: Semi-final, Dublin,
L 16-6
Aged team done in cold blood by
Australia. David Campese's finest moment, with
Tim Horan not far behind.
Choke 2 - 1995: Final, Johannesburg, L 15-12
Looked superb going into the final but failed to fire against a Nelson Mandela-inspired South Africa. Then tried to blame a hotel waitress for poisoning them.
Choke 3 - 1999: Semi-final, London,
L 43-31
Relied too heavily on Jonah Lomu to build a lead and were then blitzed by an inspired France in an epic at Twickenham.
Choke 4 - 2003: Semi-final, Sydney,
L 22-10
Stroppy and unapproachable for most of the tournament, New Zealand went into their shells and played like drains against
Australia.
Choke 5 - 2007: Quarter-final, Cardiff,
L 20-
18
Froze against a clever but hardly vintage French side. Big names failed to deliver, little leadership and tactically inept.