It's hard to predict the key themes of a tournament before it even begins ? but that won't stop us trying
1: If you're English, it's time to embrace the hate
When it comes to international rugby only one thing is certain: nobody likes England, nobody has ever liked England, and possibly nobody ever will ? a state of affairs that seems certain to endure with the added infuriation of that black England change strip, a desecration that, hilariously, brought criticism even from the New Zealand prime minister at its unveiling. England remain outright pantomime villains. Enjoy it.
2: Pacific Tigers producing more than a one-off roar
This could be a breakthrough tournament for the Pacific Island nations who have to date tended to supply the rest of the world with eye-popping, muscle-flexing back-line flair (we're looking at you now, England and Japan) and, apart from beating Wales, make up the numbers. In their favour this time: a vocal home-ish support and the emergence of a Samoa team capable of beating the Tri-Nations champs Australia only last month. Expect upsets. Expect frightening tattooed men trampling through a midfield near you.
3: Those infernal new rules ... what's left of them
More than just a means of picking on thick-necked Englishmen with an expertise in falling over, the new rules were designed to promote a new brand of running rugby, with the coming World Cup intended as a showpiece. OK, so all but a couple of the "Experimental Law Variations" never made it beyond the experimental stage. But those that were passed ? coupled with rugby's endless ability to re-interpret the same rules in different ways ? should have the same effect. Side-steps. Jinks. Endlessly recycling midfield jaunts. It's not all mud and pushing you know.
4: The most entertaining 'chokers' in sport
For the host nation it is with a painful sense of symmetry that the World Cup returns to where it all started in 1987. Perhaps the oddest thing about that inaugural tournament isn't the amateur teams or the fact apartheid-era South Africa were invited, but the fact that New Zealand actually won it. At least the omens are good now: the All Blacks failed to win the Tri Nations. For English sports fans this is a chance to sit back, enjoy the ubiquitous "Kiwi chokers" T-shirts on show and watch someone else struggle under the terrible burden of expectation
5: The one and only Dan Carter
If God was a rugby player he would perhaps be a New Zealand fly-half. This would, however, be extremely unfortunate for God as it would also mean Him not getting in the team much. Aged 29, Carter is currently the Diego Maradona of rugby union, a talent that illuminates even beyond his sport ? and a man with just enough David Beckham?ish pizzazz to make him an unignorable figure for the next month.
6: For once, soundbites that actually bite
Ignore the Johnno-speak. rugby union coaches are often rather lively. Peter de Villiers of South Africa, for example, whose misdemeanours include accusing opponents of cheating, suggesting rugby has become like ballet ("why don't we get some tutus?") and being told to "sober up" by his sports minister. Also worth a look: France's Marc Li�vremont, who accused his players of being "cursed with cowardice".
7: Land of the long winding drive
Note to the 70,000 expected visitors to New Zealand: this is a surprisingly large country, one in which you don't have to be a hobbit to feel a little lost. Hire a camper van and drive the World Cup if you must. But remember it's a long way from Invercargill to Whangarei (a mere 28-hour drive, in fact).
8: A nation's fourth most popular folk-tribute act
All opening ceremonies are terrible, but somehow rugby takes the sense of waffling portentousness to a new level. The Flight of the Conchords will not be performing at Eden Park, but Kiwi popsters Ladyhawke and somebody called Jordin Sparks will, plus as ever there will be a "mix of traditional and contemporary culture", ie traditional dancers going on for slightly too long. Always a treat.
9: Those players you'd never heard of
The World Cup always throws them up. This time look out for the Georgian No8 Mamuka "Godzilla" Gorgodze, who spectacularly clumped Jonny Wilkinson during a club match in France. The Canada lock Jamie Cudmore was a track and field athlete, downhill skier and (briefly) criminal before he took up rugby. But, sadly, we will be deprived of Japan's Ryohei Yamanaka, banned for taking steroids he says were in a hair growth cream used in a (failed) attempt to grow a moustache.
10: Weekend warriors
Yes: the entire knockout stage takes place at the weekend. This is an inspired feat of scheduling, ensuring awkward time-zone differences are transformed into an excellent reason to stay up all night taking refreshments on your sofa or crowding the big screen at your local antipodean-themed beer warehouse.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/sep/07/rugby-world-cup-2011-ten-things
No comments:
Post a Comment