THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

The rugby world cup is currently taking place in New Zealand. Rugby is the country's passion, and the All Blacks are expected to win virtually every time they take to the field. However, since they won the inaugural World Cup on home turf in 1987, they have in fact been the tournament's big chokers. Despite never having lost a pool game, they have lost twice in the knockout stages to France and twice to Australia. The only defeat that perhaps could be defended was the narrow loss - after extra time - in the 1995 final to South Africa in South Africa, shortly after the latter's emergence from the shadow of apartheid (the subject of the film Invictus). 

Now the All Blacks are playing at home again, and are again the favourites to win. This morning I watched their pool game against France, a match that some had feared could provide a repeat upset. However, apart from a ferocious opening 10 minutes, where France had all the pressure, yet failed to score, New Zealand picked them apart to win convincingly. The cup is definitely theirs to lose.

Walter Blotscher