Can Rugby history repeat itself?
I was there in 2007, in Cardiff, when France took on New Zealand in the Quarter Final of the Rugby World Cup. It was one of those nights when you just knew that something was going to happen. From the moment I walked into the stadium and sat watching the teams warm-up it was clear that we were about to see a moment in rugby history. And the expectation was met, in spades.
France were “up for it” in a very French way and perhaps no more so than the way that they stood up to the Maori Challenge before the game started. It was the start of one of those great moments of sporting theatre and I hope we see the same excitement again this weekend as the 2 countries go head-to-head in this year’s RWC.
The final score that night was New Zealand 18 v France 20, a truly fantastic match that did both teams proud. Same again this weekend? Let’s hope so – whatever the result.