Bevan Rapson: Let's hope opportunity knocks twice

All Black supporters. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

If things work out right, I plan to watch Sunday's big Rugby World Cup semifinal twice.

First, I'll see it at the stadium, from so far up in Category D that vertigo is guaranteed and altitude sickness a serious possibility.

When a friend got in touch last week to advise that a semifinal ticket was available at an only mildly eye-watering price, I couldn't resist the chance to be present for sporting history in the making.

Never mind that we'll be at about the same height as the Sky Tower viewing platform and that only CIA-style listening technology would enable us to hear the proverbial thwack of boot on leather. We'll cope with any nosebleeds and still be able to soak up the atmosphere rising from the cauldron below. On one side of the Tasman or the other, this will be one of those games that people reminisce about for decades to come.

My preference would be an electrifying match, with the All Blacks triumphant. And the second part of that formula alone would also work just fine.

With a local victory secured, I will negotiate my descent from the Eden Park Alps and scurry home to see the whole thing all over again, from anthems and haka to post-match interviews, rewinding the good bits for repeated viewings. Ideally, a family member or two who watched it on television earlier will join me for companionable snickering at Wallaby errors in the face of Jerome Kaino's Scud missile impressions.

With that 9pm kick-off, it will be well into Monday before I finally make it to bed.

Because, let's face it, television and big-time rugby were made for each other. While I enjoy watching club games live on winter afternoons - with all the "thwack" you could hope for - and get to at least one or two Super Rugby matches a season, TV provides the best view of the action. With someone like Grant Fox providing expert analysis, even the tired musings of lesser commentators can't spoil the experience.

And the comforts available at home tend to have the edge. However, should Sunday night's events not unfold at the park according to the above prescription, no second viewing will be required.

I may be obsessed, but I'm not a masochist.