Rugby World Cup 2011 Final Weekend
Posted on 25 Oct 2011 | by Ben | Filed under Blog
What a weekend it was. Without a doubt the most incredible thing I have ever been part of. The entire nation went from excitement to nervous tension to sheer ecstasy as the All Blacks overcame France 8-7 on Sunday night. I was lucky enough to be in the heart of it. I took my camera with me downtown as we ‘warmed up’ with thousands of others, then I walked the fan trail to the game where I was sitting high up in the nose bleeders. What an amazing spectacle to be at. As the final whistle went I found myself spontaneously hugging a complete stranger and throwing high fives all round. I don’t think a single person left the stadium for nearly an hour after the end of the match. I’ve never been involved in anything like it.
With no sleep whatsoever I headed along to the victory parade on Monday afternoon. I think the whole of Auckland was there. Again another incredible experience. To see the players feeding off the crowd. To see them genuinely overwhelmed by the support. To see Andrew Hore so hungover he couldn’t move beyond seating. And why not. It is something I will never forget.
Hopefully these are some photos I can look back on with fondness in many years time. When I can say ‘I was there’.
a full strength Wales team in that final – the pictures would have been so much better – as would the game,
maybe not the result that Kiwis wanted though…
Ha, I’m not sure about that. I think France was the only team that could’ve kept the ABs so restrained.