A Sporting Moment of the Year – 24th September, 2011

I really did not perceive or even see any tell-tale signs on the horizon. The significance of this moment would arrive very quickly, but its mark is in the fact that it may still be my overarching memory of Rugby World Cup 2011, and a sporting season of much success, for this land longing under a great big all black cloud.

I did say, “may be,” which points to perspective.

As one reflects and weighs opinion, there were a number of factors that contributed to the significance of this moment. But, the strength of personal emotion emitting says much about a sporting contest, a national team, and even our corporate identity in New Zealand.

On this night of much more, than Test Rugby, I had tickets in the top & temporary tier in the West Stand, which sat “splendifferent” at one end of the ground, mirrored only by the another edifice. Eden Park had been through her makeover mission, but still needed a little mask to cover some open wounds at either end. One temporary tier at either end would do the job – lovely-jubbly-like.

I would have front row seats in this new tier in prime position behind the posts; a good spot to capture the action.

Not only had the good people at #RWC2011 got us the gig; what was the main event in the round robin stage for Nouvelle Zelande, against the French, was on my birthday. Special. The NZRU also worked with me, organising the first All Black centurion on this night. McCawesome!

I arrived early. The crowd was busy & buzzing outside the Northern Stand side of Eden Park. First impression? The French connection had arrived. The colour, culture & vibe from the continent was fleshed out before me. The “joie de vivre” of rugby was the aroma of the moment as I walked & watched many taking pictures with monunents to an All Blacks past.

Finally at my temporary home, I would walk… *breaks into a song… “500 steps” in this new legoland of rugby watching. Finding my seat, I was armed and ready for action.

I can still vividly remember the 1991 semifinal versus Australia from Lansdowne Road, Ireland. Sleeping on a camp stretcher in the Lounge, Father and Son would complete the pilgrimage for every true believer, awaiting on our All Blacks to do it again.  The years post 1987 had been full of success. This was our birthright!

Funnily enough. When I think Rugby World Cups; I don’t think 1987. I think & feel the recurring refrain that started in 1991. This is the narrative that is winding its way in the upper regions of most kiwis pre-Sept/Oct 2011.  Do you want an insight into the NZ rugby psyche? You may have just got it.

Pain. Frustration. Disappointment. No wonder this has felt like an Everest we are forced to summit every four years. It has been on our backs and in the front of our minds on a Freudian loop.

I had experienced them all; each and every won… I mean, one. While 2007 was perhaps the easiest to handle; it was also the toughest to take. Therefore, I was tournament hardened and ready. Unexpected results were not so much with me. I knew the scenarios; the hyperbole about favourtism; the possibility of failure; the naked truth about defeat.

However, in the flesh can feel very real.  I knew it was building while I was alone and silent, but when the players moved onto the field, it was enough to rent the remaining strains throughout my veins.

And.

I.

cried.

I did my manly best to keep it concealed, and successfully so, but the emotion was flowing.

Again,; the strength of this emotion had been building. If you could read my tweets from the night, I would even say it so at the time, in 140, as the occasion built towards kickoff.  I can even remember the latin temperament of one particular tweet, which went something like: #EdenPark France welcome to our rugby Heaven; time to go to Hell!

Hot and spicy!

The image of a crest-fallen, Robin Brooke, after the final whistle in the Final of 1995, as the moving pictures captured a solitary tear quietly making its way south, had now ventured all the way to our shores.

It was as if the painful DAM of 20 years of waiting had intersected with a night that encapsulated this journey.

The torment of those final 20mins of the Rugby World Cup Final it was not, but up until the witness of that match, rugby world cup glory was a myth locked in a mirth of one’s mind. Like the ego-centric lad who says he can always step up to the challenge, we had been telling ourselves this every four years. Deep down we knew this talk was cheap. This test was our opportunity to prove, mostly to ourselves, that we were more than words; that this time, it was well and truly, on.

The initial 10mins would pull the veil back on our insecurity. You could sense the apprehension and hear the ascending, Allez le Bleus. If the French had scored… Reads like the Final… Then, as we would do so again on October 23rd; we would hold onto what we have dropped previously… Our nerve.

In many respects, this should be the memory of Rugby World Cup 2011. Our two, once in a generation type players, staging it right and left. Dan Carter producing a supreme set out of sight. From behind the posts, you could almost see the woft of his wand as he bedazzled the increasingly bedraggled in the first 40. Richie McCaw also fitting fit for the last time.

The Warrior and the Prince!

While the semi versus the Wallabies would likely be the performance of the Cup. This match versus France was the note of redemption on five successive wakes. Now we could sleep easy. Now we could dream again. We could now think about crossing the chasm. The real time “Test” run was won!

Yes, we did not pick up the trophy until October 23rd.  But, September 24th, is the day when we truly started believing our rugby will, could & would be done.

Wearied I would make the long drive home;our Rugby World Cup has just begun.  The frequent refrain playing between my ears was to enjoy this moment; an historic Test, and live in the moment.

Live in the Moment. Sage advice!

There were more matches to be played, with at least one more demanding some reflection.

What Say You?

Until Next Time

iamjonnyking