An All Whites win in the World Cup tonight would make tomorrow worthy of being a public holiday.
That's according to Dave ''Tubs'' Wright and his soccer-mad family, who will be cheering for the national side in their first World Cup match since 1982.
''If we win the game I will not
be in a good state the next morning,'' he said. ''If we win the country will go berserk, we have never won a World Cup game. It should be a public holiday the following day because nobody would go to work.''
The 45-year-old co-owner of Sports Arena and junior co-ordinator of Douglas Villa AFC has spent months preparing for this day. Two months ago he purchased a new 50-inch flatscreen TV for his ''wife's birthday''.
It's the closest Dave could get to the action after being told by his wife that he couldn't fly to South Africa _ ''it would have been a dream''.
Football mania runs through the Wright lineage. Dave's son, Campbell, 11, is wearing a signed All Whites shirt for every game which he will frame when the World Cup ends.
And daughter Kirsten has regained her voice after losing it during the All Whites' qualifying match against Bahrain in November.
She was realistic about their chances against Slovakia.
''They should at least draw a game but it will be huge if we do win, even if we draw it will be pretty good,'' she said.
While the whole family are rooting for the All Whites, Brazil are the family's top pick.
Dave admits he's even laid a sly bet: ''As long as my wife doesn't read it, yes, I have a bet that Brazil will reach the finals, paying at $3.10.''
Speaking yesterday, Pia Baxter, bar manager at the Horse and Hound, said there had been a lot of talk about tonight's game but betting action had been subdued.
''People, from what I have experienced, they bet on the games coming up rather than future games but the All Whites are playing tomorrow and I haven't had any bets.''
She said while the bar had not shown games in the first few days, it would if the All Whites made it through to the next round.
According to travel agents _ Flight Centre, Travel Smart Pahiatua, Harvey World Travel, United Travel _ no Wairarapa fans are travelling to the cup.
One agent said flight prices to South Africa were ''crazy'' and a package including accommodation and tickets would cost from $7000 to $12,000.
An All Whites win in the World Cup tonight would make tomorrow worthy of being a public holiday.
That's according to Dave ''Tubs'' Wright and his soccer-mad family, who will be cheering for the national side in their first World Cup match since 1982.
''If we win the game I will not
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