Hawke's Bay All Blacks fans will have even more reason to sing the national anthem with pride tonight when Matthew Cutts takes the mic before kick-off.
It's been 19 years since the theatrical performer left Taradale as a teen to pursue a career in London, but he still calls Hawke's Bay
home.
And when he belts out his best rendition of God of Nations in front of 34,000 people tonight before the All Blacks take on France for the second test match, it will be the joy of being home spurring him on.
``It has been a long time, yes, but I still very much consider myself a Bay boy,'' he said.
``For as long as I can remember, singing the national anthem for the All Blacks has been my ultimate dream, but I've never had the opportunity to pursue it until now.''
Cutts, who now lives in Hamburg, Germany, is in New Zealand as part of the cast in the classic roller-skating musical, Starlight Express which premieres in Wellington on July 1.
The producer of the show happened to have a contact in the New Zealand Rugby Union who got Cutts a chance to audition to sing the national anthem.
``It's going to be a moment of absolute national pride for me,'' he said.
``Singing the anthem at the game is going to be very different from performing on stage. It's such a personal thing and when you hear that music, you just forget there's going to be 34,000 people there.''
Cutts' strong Kiwi accent, after living in Britain for almost two decades, is a testament to this fan's loyalty.
Also, when starting a new job, Cutts demands that a clause be written into his contract ensuring he has a day off to go to an All Blacks game should the team be playing nearby.
``So as you can imagine, I have sung the national anthem many, many times and do so at every opportunity,'' he said.
``This is your pride, this is your team, this is your country.''
* Starlight Express will be staged at Christchurch's Westpac Arena on July 11 and then Auckland's Vector Arena on July 25.
