Give em a taste of Kiwi!

New Zealand is tonight/this morning, sitting on the brink of the Rugby World Cup Final.  Even from London, I can feel the excitement and nervousness of a whole country holding its breath.  The truth is that I am holding my breath too and am wondering how I am going to sleep tonight.

I am feeling like I wish I was at home (not only are they 12 hours ahead so therefore closer to the game) (I know that’s not technically right but it feels that way)but they are also standing together in Black and going to go mental if we win.  And it’s that feeling of camaraderie that I am looking for.

Luckily, I know where to find it.  My nearest and dearest London family, will tomorrow be getting up at godawful  a clock for the last time.  For the last time the ritual will begin.  There will be a yummy cooked breakfast, there will be a mad scramble to the pub and a feeling like we are all in this together.  I have my black pompoms ready, I have my black outfit planned and am wearing my bone carving.  And I am nervous as hell.  I am looking forward to the haka and a good game of rugby.  Once the game is over, they will partying for the rest of the day.  I will be taking a party break to head to work for a few hours, I tried but could not get out of it.  But then I will be back, sad to have missed the pies and the pig on the spit, but glad to see my friends and have a few well earned (hopefully) celebratory drinks.

It’s been interesting being so far from home for this momentous tournament.  At every turn I have heard that the All Blacks are about to choke and that this we will be out.  I have sat quietly and heard about how the South Africans or the Welsh were going to take the cup.  Now it’s my turn.  I am so damn proud that the All Blacks are in the final.  And to all of you who have doubted – Look at the scoreboard, how you like them apples and suck on that.  Sorry but it had to be said.  I am scared for the All Blacks as there is a huge amount of pressure on them with a home crowd, but they have beaten the French before in this competition and I hoping that they will do it again.

I have loved the internet fun of this tournament.  I have Kept Calm when Piri has come on.  That is not true, I have jumped out of my seat and screamed my heart out when he has come on.  I have loved the pictures of man love moments.  I really enjoyed the pictures of Israel Dagg(er) taking off like a super hero.  I have been so proud of my country, who have been amazing hosts to this tournament.  I have been so excited to hear my 7 year old nephew name all of the players and to have him tell me that he supports Wales cause its his heritage.  He was gutted when they were out.

So New Zealand, no matter what happens tomorrow/today, you should be proud.  You should be proud that you made it this far, proud of the show that you put on, proud of the rugby that you have played.  And proud of the party that you have thrown.  I am proud of you beyond belief, my heart swells with it every time you run on the field.  Now All Blacks, lets Give’m a taste of kiwi and Let's get it started!!!!!!!

My eyes are a little sweaty today

I don’t know what it is – it could be that I am very tired, it could be that I am a bit overwhelmed after my birthday, it could be that at this time that I am missing home or it could be for no reason, but I have just cried my way through the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.

I had to search to find some decent coverage of this, and am watching on You Tube.  Am I am soooooo very proud.  My country looks amazing, and this ceremony is beautiful.  They have done us proud and I am holding my head high.  I was excited to see the haka – that gives me goose bumps every time.  And the thought of the 600 strong haka at the viaduct blows my mind.  I was also looking out for my cousin Steph who was a part of the ceremony, unfortunately did not see her.  And then there was the child’s dream sequence for Canterbury – very very moving.

Yesterday I ventured to the pub to watch the first game of what I am hoping is a good Rugby World Cup for New Zealand.  I was stuck on a bus, so was late and missed the haka – my favourite part – and the national anthems.  I understand that much of Auckland was stuck on a train so I guess I was connecting with my homeland. 

 

I arrived just in time for kick off and was waved through to the VIP area of The Castle Battersea – my RWC pub.  I ordered my brekkie and sat down to watch the All Blacks run to victory.  I was excited that my Dad was at the game and we texted a little throughout.  I was wearing my All Blacks jersey with pride.  The VIP area also has the most comfy bean bags that I have sat in for a while along with a good brekkie.   My personal highlight of this game was watching Sonny Bill Williams tear off a sleeve of his jersey – oh and then strip off to change…

The RWC does not appear to have really kicked off in England just yet – maybe a little this morning when they won by the skin of their teeth against Argentina.  After the game as I was heading to work, feeling a little out of place to be wearing my jersey and smiling away, a man who was crossing the road smiled and congratulated me on our win.  That made my day.

Last night after a killer day at work, I headed back to the pub and caught up with some friends, and listened to KiDook play.  They played covers and a very special original of Abby’s – Ginger pubes are amazing.  But they also had a good go at me – Mustang Nic anyone?  Highlight of the night was the final song when a white as English guy sang Shaggy like he was the man himself. 

This morning I spoke to my nephew – who proudly told me that his favourite All Blacks were Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Corey Jane and Jerome Kaino.  I asked him about Israel Dagg – who scored two tries in the game.  He was ambivalent about him, telling me that Sonny Bill was where it’s at.  Could not agree more.

From what I hear RWC fever has struck NZ big time and we are all behind that All Blacks – wearing black, painting everything in sight black – black envelopes, black tins of reduced cream, black packs of crisps, you get the gist if we can turn it black we have.  We are doing a fabulous job on the world stage.  It makes me proud to be Kiwi and an All Blacks supporter.  I will cheer for England – but only when they are not playing us, as they are my adopted homeland, I cheered a little for Argentina – for our families exchange student Marcella and will cheer a bit for the USA for my surrogate families there, but my heart is currently with NZ.

GO THE MIGHTY ALL BLACKS – DO US PROUD!