There are many reasons not to host the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but there are no comparable places in the world where rugby is so embraced and is such an integral part of the culture. It may be some time before the RWC ever returns to New Zealand, but the country will be forever marked by a sparkling six week period known as the Rugby World Cup 2011, culminating in the All Blacks victory. History is always hard to gauge at the time, but it is quite possible that the Rugby World Cup 2011 will leave an indelible mark upon the New Zealand psyche and the identity of the country.
And so, after years of RWC disappointment and heartache, it was not only appropriate, but fitting, that the All Blacks exorcised those demons in front of their home support.
And despite being the best team in the world over the past four years (and twenty four years since they had last won the cup), the x-factor of home field advantage may have been the telling factor in a match where the French won in virtually every facet, except for the one that counted, the scoreboard.
Pick me out of the crowd:
http://gigapixelfancam.com/fancams/rugby/2011worldcup/20111023/?slug=4263942-share-view&ref=nf
No comments:
Post a Comment