As I mentioned, it's the Rugby World Cup final today. The New Zealand All Blacks are playing France. The atmosphere associated with this game is like nothing I've ever experienced, except for maybe that one time I stumbled into the soccer-related jubilation in Barcelona where EVERYTHING was closed and EVERYONE was yelling.
They've had the streets closed to vehicles and barricaded for foot-traffic-only since Friday. When I went out for my regularly-scheduled haircut this morning, it was already unusually busy with lots of people dressed in black milling about. I stopped by the grocery store after the salon, and all of the BBQ foods-- prepared cuts of meat, buns, etc.-- were nearly sold out. Not to worry, though, I saw them restocking the beer. Priorities, you know?
And when the train pulled up at the station to whisk me back into the city at noon, I had to firmly muscle my way in amongst the seemingly-solid mass of eager fans who were already packed into the seats, aisles, and the spaces up against the doors. Here's everyone de-training, filling up the entire platform as we slowly extricated ourselves and streamed upstairs.
Everyone had one destination: Party Central. We're looking north on Queen Street here-- Britomart on the right and QEII Square on the left. In the center is an inflatable rugby ball fanzone (its real purpose: temporary enormous sports bar), the Cloud fanzone (enormouser sports bar), and only one of the three cruise ships moored in our harbour.
I stopped to finally take a picture of the RWC Countdown Clock that's been stirring up anticipation for nearly a year: twelve hours to go until the champion is crowned!
There's been lots of noise, excitement, and shenanigans right here in our back yard. I think half the country has come to celebrate here. No, RIGHT HERE.
Here are two examples of the Supporters making themselves known.
(Did you hear the hecklers too when the French noisemakers went by? Ha.)
Now. The match is on TV in front of me!
The rain that was threatening all day decided it just wasn't worth it, and the night sky is clear.
The match is being played at Eden Park, about 4 km away from us. I don't know if I can hear the noise from the stadium or not. But I can certainly hear the live simulcasts on the big screens at Party Central. It is quite odd to watch the plays on live TV, hear the cheers coming from the screen, and to also hear them, much louder, outside.
The boys were too excited to sleep, and since the shenanigans evolved to include impromptu fireworks, there was really no chance they would go to bed any time soon. So I let them come and watch the haka and the opening play with me. Amiri told me he doesn't want to play rugby. Arram told me he would show me his haka tomorrow.
When you watch the Superbowl, the announcers are generally balanced with their tone and comments. But this is a New Zealand game, with New Zealand commentators. Their pro-AB bias is very clear.
I cannot believe they play this brutal game with no helmets or pads. Well, you do see the odd fellow here and there who wears a soft, flexible helmet. I think that's mostly to guard their ears and to prevent abrasions... in terms of head injuries, it's got to be about as effective as wearing a hat when you're being hit by a 100-kg athlete at full speed.
New Zealand scored the first five points by carrying the ball to the end. Then they got another three by kicking the oblong ball through the goalposts. Almost immediately after that, France did two running moves that scored seven points. Since I don't know rugby rules, terms, or how scores are assigned, this is as exact as I can be.
So it's pretty close right now, coming up to the half. The game is brilliantly exciting. The Boys are playing full on. These men are aggressive as. The staunch supporters cheer their every move.
Go All Blacks!!
UPDATE 10:42 pm: I just saw a street brawl! I heard some shouting and went out on the balcony to investigate. About fifty people were in the street below, pushing and getting in one anothers' faces. Then someone threw a punch and the group split into three packs. I saw at least four people take some bad hits, including one poor dude kicked in the head. I called 111 and they got right on it. It wound itself down when two officers ran up.
UPDATE 10:46 pm: THE ALL BLACKS HAVE WON THE RUGBY WORLD CUP.
Final score NZ 8, France 7. They held them off.
To put this in perspective, this is like when the Carney girls won the state championship. Except if the whole COUNTRY were Carney. Small but mighty. Rawr.
Gonna be a loud night. Those are the yachts in the harbour you hear making all that noise. Even the cruise ships are bellowing.
UPDATE 11:12 pm: They've awarded the Cup and sprayed the champagne. It's all back-slapping and cheers on TV. There are fireworks outside and it is bedlam (happy bedlam, at least) below. I can't even imagine what it must be like on the Wharf right now. An ambulance came for the two guys who were in bad shape from the fight. Our little guys are blissfully asleep and unaware.
They've had the streets closed to vehicles and barricaded for foot-traffic-only since Friday. When I went out for my regularly-scheduled haircut this morning, it was already unusually busy with lots of people dressed in black milling about. I stopped by the grocery store after the salon, and all of the BBQ foods-- prepared cuts of meat, buns, etc.-- were nearly sold out. Not to worry, though, I saw them restocking the beer. Priorities, you know?
And when the train pulled up at the station to whisk me back into the city at noon, I had to firmly muscle my way in amongst the seemingly-solid mass of eager fans who were already packed into the seats, aisles, and the spaces up against the doors. Here's everyone de-training, filling up the entire platform as we slowly extricated ourselves and streamed upstairs.
Everyone had one destination: Party Central. We're looking north on Queen Street here-- Britomart on the right and QEII Square on the left. In the center is an inflatable rugby ball fanzone (its real purpose: temporary enormous sports bar), the Cloud fanzone (enormouser sports bar), and only one of the three cruise ships moored in our harbour.
I stopped to finally take a picture of the RWC Countdown Clock that's been stirring up anticipation for nearly a year: twelve hours to go until the champion is crowned!
There's been lots of noise, excitement, and shenanigans right here in our back yard. I think half the country has come to celebrate here. No, RIGHT HERE.
Here are two examples of the Supporters making themselves known.
(Did you hear the hecklers too when the French noisemakers went by? Ha.)
Now. The match is on TV in front of me!
The rain that was threatening all day decided it just wasn't worth it, and the night sky is clear.
The match is being played at Eden Park, about 4 km away from us. I don't know if I can hear the noise from the stadium or not. But I can certainly hear the live simulcasts on the big screens at Party Central. It is quite odd to watch the plays on live TV, hear the cheers coming from the screen, and to also hear them, much louder, outside.
The boys were too excited to sleep, and since the shenanigans evolved to include impromptu fireworks, there was really no chance they would go to bed any time soon. So I let them come and watch the haka and the opening play with me. Amiri told me he doesn't want to play rugby. Arram told me he would show me his haka tomorrow.
When you watch the Superbowl, the announcers are generally balanced with their tone and comments. But this is a New Zealand game, with New Zealand commentators. Their pro-AB bias is very clear.
I cannot believe they play this brutal game with no helmets or pads. Well, you do see the odd fellow here and there who wears a soft, flexible helmet. I think that's mostly to guard their ears and to prevent abrasions... in terms of head injuries, it's got to be about as effective as wearing a hat when you're being hit by a 100-kg athlete at full speed.
New Zealand scored the first five points by carrying the ball to the end. Then they got another three by kicking the oblong ball through the goalposts. Almost immediately after that, France did two running moves that scored seven points. Since I don't know rugby rules, terms, or how scores are assigned, this is as exact as I can be.
So it's pretty close right now, coming up to the half. The game is brilliantly exciting. The Boys are playing full on. These men are aggressive as. The staunch supporters cheer their every move.
Go All Blacks!!
UPDATE 10:42 pm: I just saw a street brawl! I heard some shouting and went out on the balcony to investigate. About fifty people were in the street below, pushing and getting in one anothers' faces. Then someone threw a punch and the group split into three packs. I saw at least four people take some bad hits, including one poor dude kicked in the head. I called 111 and they got right on it. It wound itself down when two officers ran up.
UPDATE 10:46 pm: THE ALL BLACKS HAVE WON THE RUGBY WORLD CUP.
Final score NZ 8, France 7. They held them off.
To put this in perspective, this is like when the Carney girls won the state championship. Except if the whole COUNTRY were Carney. Small but mighty. Rawr.
Gonna be a loud night. Those are the yachts in the harbour you hear making all that noise. Even the cruise ships are bellowing.
UPDATE 11:12 pm: They've awarded the Cup and sprayed the champagne. It's all back-slapping and cheers on TV. There are fireworks outside and it is bedlam (happy bedlam, at least) below. I can't even imagine what it must be like on the Wharf right now. An ambulance came for the two guys who were in bad shape from the fight. Our little guys are blissfully asleep and unaware.
1 comment:
The Packers/Vikings game that I'll be watching at our Knights of Columbus tailgate party this afternoon will pale in comparison I think to what I've just seen and heard.
Compared to your rowdy crowds, we'll sit there like genteel old ladies. (visualize cups of tea and extended pinkies)
..And our players wear helmets and pads protecting every bit of them.
...And no haka.
Sigh....We've got some catching up to do I think. Toughen up you guys!
Oh well, GO PACK!
(can't wait to see Arram's haka)
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