Many New Zealanders would have nothing else to discuss except Rugby for the next eight weeks as one of the world’s greatest and most popular events kicks off at Eden Park in Auckland on September 9.
Rugby greats (past and present), celebrities and many world leaders will be at the inaugural match of Rugby World Cup (RWC) at which New Zealand will take on Tonga (Pool A).
Experts say that John Kirwan, one of the try scorers for New Zealand, will be hoping to upset the form book as coach of underdogs Japan, who will open their campaign against the French the day after the hosts play Tonga in the tournament opener.
“Kirwan is determined to ensure that the Japanese (Brave Blossoms) have their most successful tournament. He has set them a target of two Pool A wins, which would gain automatic qualification as the team ranked third at the Rugby World Cup 2015,” the experts said.
While the All Blacks, with their impressive players are widely speculated to win the World Cup, much would depend on the Quarterfinals. If pitched against France (Les Tricolores) from Pool A on September 24, they would have to hope that history would not repeat, as it did in 1999 and 2007 when they were knocked out of the Tournament by Les Tricolores.
On the other hand, it could turn out to be a repeat of the inaugural RWC final in 1987 when New Zealand beat the French 29-9 in Auckland.
Japan has played in every World Cup. It ended a run of 13 defeats with a 12-12 draw against Canada (Canucks) in 2007 in France.
The Canucks, along with Tonga, are Pool A players.
Bucking the trend
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said that his team accounts for the best and most experienced players in New Zealand history. He is hopeful that the current team will end the 24-year season of defeat.
Members of the All Blacks squad can boast of having appeared (combined) in 1137 test matches, nine of which have had more than 50 caps. Captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina are the most capped players in New Zealand history.
McCaw, Muliaina, Daniel Carter, Keven Mealamu and Ali Williams will be playing in their third RWC, while seven others will contest their second tournament.
Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and Zac Guildford would be among the players to watch, as they debut in the big game.
Rugby players and fans have been voicing their opinions about All Blacks in almost all talkback shows on the Radio over the past two months, putting pressure on Coach Henry.
He had said on an earlier occasion (Indian Newslink, August 1, 2011) that the New Zealand side has a group of experienced players and management team, many of them having been involved in two World Cup matches.
“McCaw has been the All Blacks Captain for six years, with strong leadership qualities. I think it is about understanding that there are certain strategies you have to nail, do not deviate from what you know, and always try to get better; always try to improve on what you did the year before,” he said.
New Zealanders, passionate about Rugby, have been supportive of the All Blacks team. As Henry said, “We know the country is getting excited, there is a real buzz around, and the players are really looking forward to soaking up the off-field atmosphere.”
Interesting stats
Like Cricket, statistics come to the fore at all Rugby tests, more so when the World Cup series is around the corner.
Commentators point out Les Tricolores would bring with them the tag of unpredictability. In the past two years under coach Marc Lievremont, the French team has defeated Argentina and New Zealand on foreign soil.
But they have tasted defeat as well. Australia thrashed them 59-16, while Italy sent them out in this year’s Six Nations Tournament.
“Victories over Ireland in RWC warm-ups might well have put them in the right frame of mind. Led by captain and flanker Thierry Dusautoir, they have a back row to match any in the tournament, even without Sebastien Chabal, the star of 2007 commentators said.
Marc Lievremont, Head Coach of the French, has left behind veteran Sylvain Marconnet, his most experienced forward, but has power and skill up front with the Basque number 8 Imanol Harinordoquy and the reliable Julien Bonnaire.
The Cloud over Auckland
Visitors to Auckland will undoubtedly be awestruck by a series of activities that will accompany the RWC 2011 matches. Exhibitions, concerts, business meetings, parties and many other events will be a part of the scenarios, a majority of which will be held at ‘The Cloud,’ specially constructed at the Queen’s Wharf in the Central Business District.
The Cloud, with a capacity for 6000 people, also features a Tourism site and lounges for the media and VIPs visiting the country during the World Cup season.
On August 23, officials unveiled the RWC 2011 Mobile App, free to download on Blackberry, Playbook, iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone 7.
The application (www.rugbyworldcup.com/mobileapp) is available in English, French and Spanish, with the facility to follow all the 48 matches live with commentary and score updates.
