World Cup triumph regardless of result
Willie Jackson Opinion
Friday 21st October, 2011
Opinion: At the start of the Rugby World Cup I wasn't convinced that it was going to be a success unless we won it. But I've changed my mind.
It's been wonderful watching how communities and regions have embraced and adopted teams, and the level of interest has been unprecedented.
Who would have believed that anyone would have been interested in watching Canada play Japan, Russia play the United States or Georgia play Romania?
But Kiwis were interested and flocked in their thousands to watch the minnows whose involvement was one of the main reasons why the cup has been so successful.
I found myself glued to the TV urging on the Japanese who were looking for their first world cup win.
Or barracking for the Samoans against the Boks, Irish against the Australians and Tongans against the French.
And I never ever thought that I would enjoy watching the Russians but I did and cheered like crazy when they scored three tries against the Aussies.
The excitement generated in our communities is a memory that will stay with us forever, especially the level of support shown by the Tongan and Samoan supporters.
No one will ever forget the thousands who flocked to Auckland airport when these teams arrived or if you live in south Auckland the Tongan supporters who seemed to be waving their flags everywhere you looked.
So this world cup has been more than just about the big nations or whether the All Blacks can break our 24-year drought of not winning the world cup.
It's been about showcasing our nation, enjoying other nations and cultures.
And showing the world that although we love our team first and foremost, we can be gracious hosts who have the ability to embrace, enjoy and respect other countries no matter how well they play rugby.
From that perspective this world cup has been an overwhelming success.
As far as Sunday's final against France goes, if the All Blacks duplicate the form they showed against Australia in the semi-final then the French won't get anywhere near them.
The All Blacks have waited too long to blow this opportunity and they know better than anyone that you can't under-rate the French.
If the unlikely happens and the French win, this country will sink into deep depression.
However, our staging of the world cup will still be seen as a triumph and in the end that's probably even more important than the All Blacks winning it which is something I thought I'd never say.
But don't count on that happening. This time there should be no French upset and our mighty All Blacks should put the icing on top of a magnificent world cup.
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