Also there was 2003, when we didn’t win, but pushed a pretty obviously superior England side to extra time in the final, plus the Wallabies knocked the All Blacks out in the semi-final against all reasonable expectations, so I think we can count that one as a moral victory.
Admittedly 1995 and 2007 were disappointing, but we can always apply the iron rule of international rugby: what happens in South Africa doesn’t really count.
And personally, I didn’t start watching rugby till 1988, which means I’ve never even seen New Zealand win a World Cup, so you can see what a jolly attitude I have to the event.
I do have a sneaking suspicion that sterling record will be marred this year, though – I don’t know how long the fine and noble tradition of Kiwi-choking can last. And that will no doubt be disappointing.
But no matter who wins, who chokes, and who gets sent home for drunk and disorderly conduct at New Plymouth’s Pink Jackrabbit Club, we will still be able to enjoy the heart and soul of the Cup: the minnows.
Now there is a school of thought that would like to see the minnows eliminated from the World Cup. The competition’s for the elite, goes this argument, and it degrades the tournament by allowing the incompetent and the part-timers to mix it with the big boys.
Why should the fans suffer the elongation of the showpiece of the sport with substandard performances and lopsided cakewalks?
While I fully understand and respect this argument, it is, of course, bollocks.
The minor nations make the World Cup. They give it its character, its spice, its sense of humanity.
Without them the Cup would be cold and heartless. It would be a soulless, dead-eyed celebration of mechanical athleticism, instead of a festival of the marvellous amateur spirit of True Rugby.
I have, as indicated, followed closely and passionately the proceedings of six World Cups. I have seen some wonderful rugby played.
I’ve seen Campese’s bamboozling of defences, Larkham’s miracle drop goal, the majestic stampedes of Jonah Lomu and the deadly precision of Jonny Wilkinson, not to mention the sheer euphoria of two Wallaby triumphs.
But for sheer, heartwarming heroism, I have yet to see anything to match Georgia versus England in 2003.
Georgia is not, of course, exactly a rugby power. When the Georgian team debuted at the World Cup it was not certain whether any of them had actually played rugby, or whether they’d been Shanghaied by a nefarious rugby press-gang and forced into service.
And they were coming up against England, led by Martin Johnson, guided by Wilkinson, at the time the most powerful and ruthless side on the planet. It was to be, without doubt, the rugby equivalent of a silverback gorilla banging a chihuahua’s head on a rock.
The teams took the field, and the slaughter began, with England crossing for its first try, after … seventeen minutes. Seventeen.
For seventeen of the most marvellous minutes in rugby history, the score stood at 0-0 and the amateur Georgians stood toe to toe on equal terms with the mightiest professionals, refusing to roll over, refusing to surrender, straining every sinew to keep holding out the soon-to-be world champions. It was thrilling to watch.
And of course it didn’t last. After those seventeen minutes were up, the floodgates opened, and the willing Georgian spirit was overwhelmed by the weary Georgian flesh and the English steamrollered over the top of them. And it went down in the books as just another minnow-slaughter.
But for seventeen minutes…oh the dreams of glory that were permitted to run riot in the imagination!
And that’s what will excite about the World Cup, no matter how one’s own chosen team performs. The possibility of another seventeen minutes.
The potential, if not for the far-fetched fantasy of Russia knocking over Australia or Namibia taking out South Africa, for at least the odd moment of inspiration from the unknowns of the rugby universe.
To see, perhaps, a sweeping Romanian backline move, or a bullocking American cross the line to the wild cheers of the four of his countrymen who know what rugby is.
Or to revel in the quicksilver enthusiasm of the Japanese, always outmatched for size and athleticism, but never for effort or smarts.
We’ll no doubt see a few of these moments, on the way to the inevitable clashes of titans once the pool matches are finished.
Of course, in the end we will delight in the slick brilliance of the greatest players in the world, as it should be.
But for a while, we will be able to celebrate just what makes the World Cup the World Cup – the little guys, doing it all for the love of the game.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Hey RR withya 100 % as I have said before on here : the IRB has never been about fairness or equity in world rugby. Look at the 'world rankings' just as an example - if you look at year to year you will notice that NO MATTER HOW MANY TESTS SCOTLAND LOSES OR NO MATTER HOW BADLY THEY PERFORM ON ANY GIVEN YEAR ;they miraculously seem to never sink below # 10 or 11 on the 'world rankings' table -mostly this is because rankings are judged by which teams you get to play against and for the most part ; Scotland JUST plays the top Ten Tier Nations. Going wider ;look at how many qualification places Africa is allocated in the World Cup ? ONE FULL PLACE plus a chance at a REPECHARGE position for a continent that has a burgeoning number of aspiring countries( about 30 on last count) playing competitive rugby in the CAR International Competitions . Romania has been trying to get in the 'Six Nations' competition for the last 30 years because it knows very well that development and improvement in performance are dependent on playing against better opposition on a very regular basis - so is there any hope on the horizon for all that effort ? Despite the IRB making nice sounding noises about improved competition Romania can only regularly play other nations ON THEIR LEVEL like Russia, Spain, Georgia, Germany and Portugal -you could even reasonably argue that they are going backwards as a result of this 'exclusive/shut-out policy . I could go on and on - BUT the IRB's success at making sevens rugby a olympic sport will eventually I believe ; lead to the democratisation and increased transparency of world rugby administration but don't hold your breath anytime within the next 2-4 years :-)
Galaxy Hop
Guest
The Islanders already have a massive advantage with their genes/physiques. Only makes sense other countries should use what they can to compensate for that discrepancy.
RebelsRanger
Guest
has anyone made mention of how good the big teams have it in terms of scheduling? as a samoan supported i'm disappointed to see that before both our most challenging games we have a short turnaround. Its interesting we only get a 4 day break before we play Wales (when they have 7) and 5 day period beofre the Boks (when they HAVE 8!!).. interestingly enough the all blacks/ wallabies/ boks have 6-8 day breaks between all there games !! so not only are the minnow teams thrown together last minute without playing with each other (tri nations and end of year tours), financially challenged and in fijis case struggling with issues from home, but now the IRB want to play favourites with the schedules and further disadvantage anyone they deem unworthy of title contention? utter bs. everyone should have similar periods between games to promote equality. one of the reasons the Soccer world cup was so exciting for me is that anyone could have won it on their day.. with the way the IRB are setting everything up, this will NEVER happen
The Bush
Roar Guru
Next Year.
jus de couchon
Guest
Just remember we English gave you Rugga and if we choose to [2003] we will again have strong words followed by action .
Emric
Guest
i agree Kovana the NZRU should have priced the tickets towards the NZ market why? because the tax payer is picking up the left over bill...
MissFluffyCat
Guest
In RWC 2003, we went to the Georgia-Springboks match at the SFS. Intimidating Springbok side led by Corne Krige. The Georgians scored a (single) try against them & the whole crowd went nuts, cheered them like they'd won the final. Absolutely, go the minnows!
kovana
Guest
TBH.. I think its very poor that more then half of the Pool games are not even sold out. The populations of some of these centers is not sufficient to sell out these stadiums coupled together with Expensive ticket prices shows a lack of business sense by the NZRU. Well, here is hoping it still sells out. Hopefully the RWC opener is a sell out.. Last heard there were 1000 tickets left.
kovana
Guest
:?
The Bush
Roar Guru
Is that meant to be funny? If so please fill me in because I've never met an Opium Pushing Slave Trader (I don't think anyway)...
Brett McKay
Guest
Emric, do you watch Family Guy?? "It's all about the ratings, baby..."
Ai Rui Sheng
Guest
And most of the Opium Pushing Slave Traders are very professional who, like the Oz leader of the opposition, will drop their dacks for a quid or a vote.
Jason
Guest
Does anyone know if Argentina will be joining the tri-nations anytime soon ?
Chuck
Guest
In hindsight some of these matches between the lesser teams should have been played in cities such as Hamilton, Dunedin as the populations are slightly larger and more chance of selling a few tickets. Then again you never know what the walk up crowds will be like. for a country of only 4 million they are certainly stepping up and coming out in droves as has been pointed out a city of 70 thousand and a stadium that can seat over a third of the city is always going to be hard to sell out especially when it is two minnows playing. Look at cities such as NP just over 50k and a stadium that can hold 25k half the population of the city.
Emric
Guest
Brett What is Channel 9's official reason for pushing both Rugby and Rugby League into the small hours of the morning?
AndyS
Guest
This time 'round it is Georgia/Scotland I'm looking forward to. As someone that thinks the 6N should look at a promotion/relegation play-off and that the IRB structure should perhaps also be re-evaluated, I'm looking forward to seeing a team with no representation take on a team with two seats at the big table...
Emric
Guest
Mike - I completely agree unfortunately for me i can't make the world cup until after the start of the quarter finals. But i've brought 2 cat A tickets to Wales V SA, 2 Cat A tickets to AB's V Canada, 4 3 tickets to Russia V USA and 4 tickets to the first QF I've given to friends, family all my tickets except the quarter final ones which i will be going home to enjoy
Mike
Guest
I'll be at the Fiji v Namibia Game. If there are only two other people in the stadium then I can say "G'day Warren". The only reason we are going is that we are seeing Australia-Italy game on Sunday, and decided to go up to Rotorua the day before to find out if the sulphur really smells as good as they say. So, thought we'd catch a minnow game at the same time. Watching minnow games is fun - no pressure or hopes to be dashed or realised, just sit back and enjoy the rugger.
Emric
Guest
yeah i think so Warren the issue is that Rotorua has a total population of about 70,000and a stadium which holds 26,000 They have 3 games Fiji V Namibia (tickets are available in all cat's) Samoa V Namibia (Tickets are available in all Cat's) Ireland V Russia (Cat A, and G available Cat B sold out) so effectively across all 3 games they have sold 28,000 tickets with the majority going to Ireland V Russia - I feel sorry for Namibia but I still have hope the people of BOP love their rugby they have just won the shield and they might be on a massive high and just get more involved.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Read in the BOP Times today that Rotorua has 50,000 seats available still for its pool games, I'll reduce the number by 2.