Don't N ask me why although I suspect deep down it's something to do with mimicking the Olympics and possibly also trying to justify the big hike in ticket prices.
Anyway, the Rugby World Cup, as you suspect, has a wildly erratic record in this respect, not knowing whether to take the convention seriously or to take the mickey. A bit like rugby's attitude to law changes, in fact.
Back in 1987 it all started on one quiet Friday afternoon when less than 20,000 folk decided to attend the first ever World Cup match, between New Zealand and Italy. The All Blacks were in disgrace after the Cavaliers tour to South Africa in 1986, Italy were considered a non-entity and nobody knew what to make of the tournament.
The strapped for cash organisers didn't exactly push the boat out, just 16 local scouts and their troops parading the flags of the competing nations. And, er, that was about it save one military band or was it the local Auckland Police Band? No fireworks although in fairness New Zealand provided those on the field with a 70-6 win including John Kirwan's wonder try.
England upped the ante a little in 1991 with a colourful re-enactment of the tale of William Webb Ellis picking up the ball and running at Rugby School and a couple of marching bands but the image I recall is a parade of notable former players with Colin Meads entrusted with returning the World Cup, holding it like a whiskey shot glass in his giant paw like hands. The Royals sent the İad Prince Edward along to open this fledgling competition - a month later and, with England in the final, HM Queen Elizabeth herself was in attendence.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の September 03, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Rugby Paper の September 03, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Harrow keep their nerve for double joy
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Wales all washed up with nowhere to go...
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Lynn's hoping for fantastic farewell
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Lions' support team keeps on growing
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Chiefs are too good for Blues in thriller
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Battling Italy make it tough for Ireland
ITALY, despite a succession of serious injuries and self-inflicted disciplinary problems, pushed Ireland all the way at the Olympic Stadium in a game that summed up both their respective campaigns.
Nice are planning a quick reversal
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France in seventh heaven
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Time to talk about the 1995 you-know-what
It’s ODD how some Grand Slams get lost in the mists of time, seemingly never to be mentioned again. Take England in 1995. Thirty years ago this weekend Will Carling’s team were closing out their third Slam in five years with a 24-12 victory over Scotland at Twickenham with Rob Andrew kicking seven penalties and a dropped goal for the men in white.
