The Rugby World Cup has consumed the nation of New Zealand. And we’ve caught the bug! Ever since we learned the World Cup would take place in New Zealand this year, we knew we had to be here to get in on the action. So we bought tickets to see Fiji play Samoa at the end of September.
After spending a week in Fiji, we knew we wanted to cheer for the Flying Fjians. The USA had a team in the Cup, but let’s be honest, who cares about rugby in the States–or even knows what it is?! I have to say, though, rugby makes American football seem really wimpy! What’s with all the pads, huh? The medics are called out onto the field every ten minutes or so in rugby, but they just keep playing around them!
Of course, we also stayed with a Samoan and his Kiwi wife in Invercargill, so we like to support all the Pacific Island teams in general. There’s something so exciting about beginning each game with their different ‘war cry’ challenges! (Remember the haka-off at Tauranga Boy’s College?)
Even though it was raining the day of the match, we were excited to don our gear and catch the train to Eden Park in Auckland. Sadly, Fiji didn’t play so well and lost to Samoa. And now that both of those teams have been eliminated from the pool matches, we’re throwing all our support behind the New Zealand All Blacks. They triumphed over Argentina in last week’s quarter finals and we’re excited to cheer them on against Australia in the semi-finals this weekend!
