I know Grant will post regularly about RWC 2011. But I wanted to note a few moments that I have found important and special so far.
The first goes back to that day on 18 November 2005 when New Zealand was named as the host country for RWC 2011. It was a great day for us and it was due to the hard work, creativity and determination of a great team lead by our then Prime Minister Helen Clark, supported by Trevor Mallard who was then Minister of Sport and became Rugby World Cup Minister.
The five members who presented our winning bid to the IRB were New Zealand Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman Jock Hobbs, New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Chris Moller, then All Blacks Captain Tana Umaga and former All Blacks legend Colin Meads. The clip below is etched in my mind as I’m sure it is in most New Zealanders.
And then this clip from Friday night’s opening ceremony; the challenge and the haka, which was viewed by around 2 billion people around the world and demonstrated the power the lies within us all. I watched this bit of the ceremony in my local pub. The pub fell silent as Kiwis everywhere stood tall and could feel immensely proud of who we are and what we represent to the world.
I know the RWC 2011 whatever the outcome for us, will boost our pride in ourselves as a small nation which can stand on its own and by working together, achieve great things. The haka is 8 mins and 53 seconds into the clip.
PS: I did think about putting up “that ripped shirt clip” but figured I’d never hear the end of it. It should be said that for many people it was also a great moment in the RWC2011!
