April Ieremia on Rugby World Cup: Sporting the world's colours

All Blacks fans getting in to the rugby spirit. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Where in the world would you ever see the host nation don the colours and flavour of visiting teams with such passion?

The way New Zealand has embraced the Rugby World Cup is indescribable.

At the forefront of every Kiwi's mind is their unquestioned patriotic pride and support of the All Blacks but when the Men in Black aren't on the field, they support whatever floats their boat. At every match, locals are revelling in the opportunity of being at a World Cup game, eager for an excuse to cheer, to celebrate and to party hard. Most are now personalising their experience by wearing the colours, face painting flags, or chanting the song of teams who have newly won their admiration and thus support.

Unexpectedly, it has made this competition the most colourful World Cup that rugby has ever known.

Just look at the Australia v Ireland game, the greatest match so far in terms of atmosphere, with everyone at Eden Park supporting either Australia or Ireland ... (actually mostly Ireland).

The spirit and humour of Ireland was so infectious it now guarantees them local support whenever they aren't playing New Zealand.

Fence-sitting is no longer an option at these games, this local adoption policy entices you to chose a side. And when you do, you love the game even more. When we went to Whangarei for Japan v Tonga, we marvelled at how Northland had continued the national trend by painting the town red.

Everyone at the game was either a ninja of sorts or Tongan traditionalist. Needless to say, the sight around the near-full stadium was magnificent.

People who normally couldn't care less about rugby, sick of reading about the All Blacks every time they sneeze, say they have embraced the World Cup - hypnotised by its festive celebrations and colourful support.

The sights around the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland after NZ v France, for example, were incredible. Bar staff, Tricolore and All Black fans drinking all night, promenading commonplace and the feeling of New Year's Eve repeating each time.