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48 games of rugby were played throughout New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011. 48 games played by 20 of the best teams in the world, providing some exciting entertainment and the occasional upset result.

But players on the field weren’t the only crowd-pullers.

Although some followers took game results more seriously than others, many were here for the atmosphere that can only really be experienced when an international sporting event of this size takes place. From the arrival of the first team until well after the last game was over, it was the fans themselves that were the real support act - wearing their hearts not only on their sleeves, but also painted brightly on their faces. Not even the so-called ‘minnow teams’ were left unsupported, with each being adopted by various towns as a ‘second team’.



Imagine how those players from countries where for some reason rugby takes a back seat to soccer, ice hockey or some other sport, would have felt. Coming from playing in front of half empty stadiums to centre stage during the ‘rugby olympics’, and being cheered as heroes would surely have shown them what the tournament meant to the sport’s more fanatical followers, particularly here in NZ.

Counting costumes and car flags as a substitute results guide would have been more than a little confusing, because passion and pride didn’t fade as teams dropped out in the later stages of the tournament . Those of the countries which had departed at the end of pool play were still flown during finals games, and their fans stood proud until the end.

Neither was the uniform worn by a fan necessarily indicative of which team they were there to cheer on. At the ‘Shed 10’ fan zone one evening to watch Japan play Tonga were a couple of Argentinian characters in costume, who would regularly break into “Ole~~, ole, ole, Tonga~~~, Tonga~~~” - often followed by a thumbs up and cheeky grin in our direction, knowing we had been equally as vocal in our support of Japan.

French supporters proved to be great street entertainment, making good use of road closures in their spontaneous parades and singalongs - including an impromptu body surfing session, with audience participation encouraged. Even the day following France’s pool play loss to the All Blacks, pockets of French fans on the train back into town united in conducting Singalong 101. (This was the day a friend and I struck it lucky when turning up at the stadium gate just before Fiji took on Samoa, and scored cheap tickets that someone was trying to offload last minute).

Another common sight was the fan with split loyalties, a creature which often turned up to watch a game decked out in bi-national or even tri-national colours.

Fan zones scattered around numerous locations throughout the country really were just an extension of the stadium seating. Never mind geographical distance, national anthems were sung as passionately as though fans were there in person, and arms were linked during the anthems - just as the players did themselves. The frustration felt at every missed penalty, the joy shown at each try scored, these rippled out far beyond the boundaries of the battlefield - beyond the stadium fence, throughout the fan zones and countless gatherings in sports bars and around TVs in homes. Fans shared in it all, they were there for every minute of the ride.

This communal spirit of sharing moving snapshots of cultural identity has been a highlight of Rugby World Cup 2011, and is what sport should be about at this level. Not only a result - but also the occasion, the spectacle and the fans.

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Rugby World Cup 2011: Colour, Passion and Opportunity

Rugby World Cup 2011: All Blacks' Return to Rugby Heaven

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