Rugby World Cup Champions – What A Relief
No doubt you have seen the celebrations that ensued when Andy Ellis retained his composure for long enough to kick the ball into touch so that the All Blacks could be pronounced Rugby World Cup 2011 champions. No doubt you have seen this footage along with the team celebrations at least 410 times by now. For some reason, even though I’d seen all of it before and from multiple angles, I couldn’t help but watch every single piece of television coverage that described how the All Blacks won the world cup and what it meant to New Zealand.
Joel gives the thumbs up as verification that we have enough Waikato Draught before kick off
I won’t bore you with any details about the game, you’ve already heard and seen it all over a hundred times. Instead I’d like to talk briefly about my experience on the night. My wife and I and a group of our very close friends booked a table in a bar in the Hamilton Fan Zone in New Zealand. We had a nice view of a couple of decent sized screens plus we could soak in the atmosphere of everyone milling about in the closed off Hood Street.
There were three moments I will remember for the rest of my life.
The first was singing the National Anthem at the top of my lungs with my arms around two of my best mates, Jay and Joel. I had tears streaming down my face I was so proud. This was followed by the very passionate Haka led by Piri Weepu where the French advanced. This received massive applause from the crowd around me, everyone was on their feet screaming in ecstacy.
Nez kisses the Gilbert for luck!
The second moment was when Donald came on and was lining up his penalty goal. I started a chant with my table, “Beaver! Beaver! Beaver!” and within seconds there were THOUSANDS of people all around me screaming it out at the top of their lungs pumping their fists into the sky. Then he got it over and everyone just ERUPTED! It was an amazing experience. Having supported the Chiefs for a number of years it was an extra special moment for me and vindication for a wonderful player.
Pictured: Joel and Nez - Probably not safe to drive at this point...
Third, when the final whistle blew, and everyone realised, the All Blacks had won the Rugby World Cup 2011. The bar had kindly let us bring in our white replica 1987 Steinlager cans so that we could drink them in celebration if we won. After a bit of obligatory screaming and hugging we cracked them open and skulled them back furiously. Some of the beer even made it into our mouths. We wore the rest like a wet badge of honour on our All Blacks jerseys. Pure euphoria!
Joel and Jay go bananas as the final whistle blows
I think it was better than being at the actual final. It was better to have been able to share the experience with friends as we did, in a pub atmosphere, but still with tons of supporters all around us.
It got a wee bit messy after that. We drank several quarts and steins of beer, followed by an entire bottle of Agavero Tequila, the next thing we knew a fight erupted nearby and my brother in law, an innocent bystander wore a glass bottle on his face. Our group was kicked out while the two parties involved in the fight got to stay in the bar, such is life. My brother in law got about six stitches and went home in not too bad shape but it was a shame that on such a wonderful nights that some idiots made some poor decisions that somewhat ruined the end of ours.
I thought I’d be done with Rugby for a few months now after being saturated in it in all but one weekend since February this year. To be honest, I’m looking forward to the forthcoming Super 15 Squad Announcements and which All Blacks will join the exodus bound for offshore riches. Next year should be fascinating. The old hands have done their bit and those in their shadows will step up and become the incumbents.
Bring on Rugby 2012!
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What a night, Nez!! You and your mates were obviously euphoric at the final whistle but I bet a lot of Kiwis were just hugely relieved. Thanks for your call a few minutes later…although I could hardly hear you amidst the jubilation in the fanzone. I am especially pleased for Beaver and Ted. I am one of the very few who have maintained support for them throughout. Murray Deaker and Willy Lose persistently attacked those guys and should now eat their hats and never comment about rugby again.
Many thanks for your intertesting, provocative and well-written blogs! Bring on the S15!
And I second that emotion Nozzle. What a wonderful game, and thanks very much Nez for bringing the wonderful reports. Please keep it up for next year so we can continue to add our pithy comments. I remember when I was your age and some of the drinking we used to get up to, but now age and respectability has caught up with me, and I cannot keep up with your old man any more.
It was a great game – unfortunately I watched it with Leslie at a Tennis Club in Hamilton – when we would have been far better off going to a pub in town. Never mind – still enjoyed the game, and I gave Beaver (or Donald Duck) as he seemed to be called at the Club – a great roar as well when he came on.
Roll on the Super 15 and keep those cards and letters rolling in.
Hmm, cheers Nozzle, until you mentioned it I completely forgot that I called you afterwards! I do recall the slightly sketchy conversation now! There are a number of Herald sports writers who have now admitted they were wrong all along about the reappointment of the 3 wise men too. Deaker and Lose should man up and publicly credit the coaches and admit they were wrong too. As you know, I’ve ALWAYS been about the players though, I just accept whoever will coach will coach. I have really enjoyed Henry’s banter though, love his cliches!
Shame Johnny, Dad told me you were in the Tron after the fact, you really should have come to Hood street, it really was an experience!
ET WAS EPIC! (so was the hangover!)