A grateful nation rejoices

It was the best of news for a proud little nation.

Rugby fans yesterday managed to express a smidgen of pity for Japan and South Africa before waxing lyrical about how good the Rugby World Cup will be for the economy, for nation-building and, hopefully, the transport system too.

Emails poured into the Herald inbox from New Zealanders at home and around the world, most of them bearing exclamation marks of joy.

"Fantastic!" shouted one. "Thank you, thank you NZRFU, Helen Clark and Tana Umaga," said another.

There was the occasional downer. Sid wrote that rugby was the loser in the decision: "Japan deserved it because it was a chance to get a new rugby world involved. New Zealand has exploited the Pacific and gained far, far more from rugby than it could ever repay."

But mostly, the emails summed up an ecstatic nation keen to capitalise on an influx of tourists.

"New Zealand and Rotorua will be on the world stage again and we will be investing heavily in our facility to showcase a memorable experience for every rugby fan that comes to Te Puia," said Waimaria Erueti from the Rotorua geothermal attraction.

Stadiums were on a lot of people's minds - were they big enough, did they need makeovers and were we up to it? The tussle on where games will be played had begun.

Politician Hone Harawira joined people around the country calling for their towns to be involved.

The Maori Party MP said he would be happy to work with the people of Kaitaia to host the final.

Rugby-mad North Shore City Mayor and former Northcote lock George Wood thinks North Harbour Stadium in Albany would be just the ticket for pool games.

An email from Rob, though, says don't worry about stadiums, it's all about soul.

"It doesn't have to have the Tokyo or Paris or LA glitz. Look at Twickenham, it is the soul that makes it sacred and New Zealand has it by the ton!"

Some think the cup will be a perfect opportunity to fix the country's traffic woes:

"Now the challenge is on all of New Zealand, not just the rugby public, to show we can provide a world class event ... We have been after a decent public transport solution for decades - what better incentive to make a start."

Kiwis spoken to in central Auckland were thrilled and at an All Black shop on Queen St a steady stream of customers looked at jerseys, keyrings and an array of other All Black gear.

Champions of the World retail manager Trish Haxton said usually 80 per cent of people who came in were tourists but a lot of Kiwis were turning up.

Some customers were "gob-smacked" but overjoyed New Zealand had won over Japan, she said.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is also a winner in the decision. Her street cred appears to have skyrocketed.

One Newstalk ZB caller said he had never wanted anything to do with her but now he wanted to kiss her.

At the Rotorua RSA there was an air of excitement. And some exhaustion.

Don Stewart said he had been up since 5am to find out who won and was overjoyed when he heard it was New Zealand.

"I rang 10 people I know and got them all out of bed," he said.

The 74-year-old's only concern now was staying alive to see the matches.

"It's a long time away, 2011," he laughed.

- Additional reporting Juliet Rowan