This competition has been much anticipated by New Zealanders around the world. Personally, I've had my ups and downs when it comes to my support of Rugby Union and the New Zealand All Blacks. I grew up with it, played for many years, and have wonderful memories of watching the All Blacks, nervously, through the 80's and 90's.
I've been a critic of the commercialism that has enshrouded All Black rugby since the start of professional Rugby in 1996. Of course its been inevitable and I don't begrudge the modern player the right to earn a wage playing the game. But its fair to say I've blown hot and cold.
However, I was completely swept away with it. A couple of years ago, if someone had asked me want I wanted to see happen with NZ hosting the RWC, I would have spoken about the fact that we need to be good hosts. To go along to the games such as Georgia VS Namibia, despite the Rugby on offer being of a lesser standard than could be viewed at any club ground on a Saturday afternoon. It was all this and more.
For goodness sake, I saw New Zealand blokes in the ground on the night of the final Vs France, clutching the silver fern emblem on their black jersey with tears rolling down their cheeks. Unheard of a mere 10 years ago in a society where keeping a tie on ones emotions and toughing it out have been one the mainstays of the culture.
We won after 24 long years, putting to bed the chokers tag that has been round our necks all this time.
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