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Cup win sparks memorable outpouring of raw emotion
posted: 4 November 2011 Sport Thought … with Brent Eastwood
It was a long way off 29-9 like I suggested it might be, but boy what a brilliant experience to be there to witness the sheer drama of the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup for the second time.
This was sporting drama of the highest degree – the first half seem to literally fly by, and the last 20 minutes seem to take forever!
What a picture the stadium was – as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I sat at the same end of the ground (Mt Eden end) that I sat to watch the 1987 final, but in a stand that was worlds away from the old Eden Park terraces. High above the level of the top of the goalposts, you could see everything unfold in front of you – we were even lucky enough to have both tries scored right in front of us.
But even more amazing for me was the outpouring of emotion that was witnessed after the final whistle sounded – and the weirdest part of it was that you found yourself compelled to be part of it.
Strangers hugging each other (yes even male to male!) and having photos taken together, safe in the knowledge you would never see the person again!
After finally leaving the ground at least an hour after the final whistle (I must say we did not really want to go!), we walked the fan trail in reverse back to Queen St. It must have taken us over 90 minutes to get back, such was the outpouring of emotion of everyone on the trail.
NZers behaving like I’ve never witnessed them before – it was like we had been transformed into French people! Whether it was the fact that we had been through five other World Cup heartaches (although the high number of young people present would probably not have seen more than two of these!), or whether it was the fact that it was at home and that the country had partied so hard for the previous 6 weeks – I’m not sure, but it certainly was a million miles from the reaction that occurred after the 1987 final.
Maybe it was the fact that so many Gen X and Gen Y people were there – whatever made us behave so emotionally who cares, it will be something I will never forget and something the country really did need….roll on 2015!
Sport Thought … with Brent Eastwood :: back :: |
