The World in Union

As I write this, we are nearing the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The bronze final between Australia and Wales will be played tonight with the final (All Blacks v France) on Sunday. It's been an amazing time to be in New Zealand and we've been so lucky to have attended so many matches. In order to secure tickets for the Scotland v England match at Eden Park, we bought a pool pack, which included the opening ceremony followed by NZ v Tonga, Australia v Ireland, NZ v France, Fiji v Samoa and finally, Scotland v England. The atmosphere travelling to and from the games has been just as good as the atmosphere in the grounds and the Kiwis have really gotten behind all the teams. Stadiums have been packed out, with locals suddenly - and colourfully - supporting the likes of Japan, Romania and Namibia. 

NZ v France Pool Match - Haka

Fiji v Samoa haka off

Making Jinty's banner in a Tony Hart stylie

The finished article

Pre-game atmosphere at The Cloud

The World in Union

As ever, Scotland provided us with the usual glorious defeats (how can they not get it right for once?) and it was so sad seeing them failing to make it out of the pool stages for the first time in history. [On a side note we heard a story about the Scotland squad at Glasgow Airport, dressed in all their Scotland travel gear and ready to leave to represent their country, and two guys came up to Chris Patterson (holder of 109 caps) and Sean Lamont and say to them "So, eh, where are you boys off to then? Stag do?"...Unbelievable]

Banner seen by a mate at the Scotland v England game

Scotland v England

It was hard not to be very smug every time the England team made the papers for yet another indiscretion and we cheered, "Allez les Bleus", with every other Kiwi in the land when they fell to the French in the Quarters. Like all supporters in this competition we've had our "Second Team" and as its our home-from-home, we've been supporting New Zealand. We were really lucky to have tickets for last weekend's semi against the Ozzies and it was brilliant to see the ABs tear them apart and Quade Cooper have yet another shocker. 

Semi Final: All Blacks v Australia - National Anthems

The French have been average at best and the All Blacks are on the brink of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987. It really is their time, but anything can happen in the world of sport. It's incredible to think that a team so good haven't won the world cup for so long and this country is absolutely desperate for them to win. I want them to win too, because I think they deserve it (they're so much better than everyone else) but I also dread to think what it would be like living here if they don't. The press are already talking of high chance of a recession - that's how much the country needs it. I really hope they do win, and if they do, I'll celebrate with the rest of the crowds at the inevitable parade on Queen Street, but I'm Scottish so my heart wont be completely in it and part of me will be standing there thinking...imagine this was Scotland. I've only ever known Scotland to get put out of the RWC at the quarters and in our "National Sport" we rarely even qualify for the Euro or World Cup competitions. Imagine though. Imagine the tension, excitement and pride if one day, it was us lifting the cup. 

Lorna.