The Fan Zone

My Brother in the centre with the Moose and the Beaver at the
RWC Whangarei, Tonga vs. Canada

yes I know this is a late blog for talking about the RWC, but come on!  I have only just recovered enough to put it all into perspective.  6 weeks of nail biting tension, mixed with joy, elation, excitement and of course new respect.  Crouch, touch, pause..........engage!  How lucky am I to be living in such a wonderful country.  From the RWC volunteers, the catering companies, the refs, the police, and the spirit of every New Zealander.  It really did seem that one game brought together 20 countries, yes we all had our teams but there was so much support for the other teams, I am proud to be a kiwi and of course an All Black supporter, but was proud to also support Canada, Tonga and Japan as our Northland "Paint it Red" champagne.  I was VERY lucky to be able to attend the Tonga vs. Canada game in Whangarei.  I LOVED every minute of it.  The crowd and cheering was loud and enthusiastic.  On that occasion I had to support Canada as my Brother's wife is Canadian and her family were attending the game also, and boy did they dress the part!

So after 6 weeks of excitement and building tensions we were at the final, NZ vs. France.  What a game that was!!!!  Oceans Tutukaka had two fan zones set up and both were full.  Like any typical game there was the swell of excitement and cheers, everyone had that nervous feeling as the first kick started the game that determined how the RWC would finish.  Would Kiwi's be on a high or low?  The game was PAINFULL!!!  At one stage, with 5 minutes to go I looked at the Fan Zone 1 (Bar) and all the woman in the room had their hands over their mouth all the men had their hands on their heads.  The only two people in the room that didn't have that stance were two French supporters, who had their hands clasped in their laps.  oh and the staff of Oceans didn't have the accepted stance either, for once in my life I was thankful for the endless glasses to polish, busy hands really do relieve the mind, just a smudge on this occasion but a smudge non the less.

Fan Zone 1 (The bar) was split with three TV's, each set up and primed for advantage of seating.  Obviously Fan Zone 1 was the first to fill up due to the location, with a huge bar right in the middle!

Fan Zone 2 was set up in the restaurant, with a projector beaming the tension onto a huge screen, this one also filled up.  The photo above was taken at half time.  As you can see there is that distant reflection that is present as we continue to watch a screen flash up images that we care little for.  We are thinking about the consequences of the second half

At 9pm our chef's breathed a sigh of relief as the orders only trickled in, even the bar had a lull as we paid our respect to the two teams who had fought to this point.  The Haka, oh yes the Haka of the All Blacks, that is when (as a Kiwi) you feel your chest puff up with pride.  Then to see the French advance to meet the challenge, it was then you knew this game was going to be mighty!  With the Bar food the again going out and people who hadn't been able to face dinner leading up to it finding their tummy had a louder voice ordering their meals and bar getting busier again it was a welcomed distraction for our team as the tension grew and grew and grew and grew!

I was optimistic!  (I say that now but to be honest probably wasn't as confident at the start of that game)  So as the optimist  :) I primed the music to "We are the Champions" Then there was the glorious count down that was being yelled up and down this country in unison, 5....4......3.......2.......1......... then ........... the knowledge that whilst the ball is live there is yet a win, so there was brief silence as this was comprehended by all who watched.  Then the call of 1000's maybe not in unison this time but none the less was being willed, yelled, screamed, whispered and telepathically beamed......get it and kick it out!  Get it and kick it out!  Kick it Out!  KICK IT OUT! 

Andy Ellis heard the chant (Not really I know that!) and the kick out was sent high into the crowd.  ELATION!!!  Screaming Elation!  and with that "We are the Champions" was played as loud as it would go, from every speaker that Oceans could line up, inside and outside and with the pump of music, the relief, the joy and all the emotion that came with that golden kick, all who were there were one voice....we are champions my friend and we'll keep on fighting till the end...we are champions of the world.........and we are!

Thanks Oceans and thanks to everyone who helped make the final of the RWC one that will be remembered for the rest of my life!  Fan-bloody-tastic!