Rugby World Cup: Wales to make final, say supporters

Wales fans Michelle and Stewert Pattison with Andre Parker (centre) enjoy the game. Photo / Christine Cornege

Call it patriotism, delusion or a good point but there's a growing feeling among long-suffering Welsh supporters that their side is among its best ever and could go all the way to the Rugby World Cup final.

Stuart Pattison, originally from Cowbridge but now living in Auckland, was part of a legion of Welsh followers at Stadium Waikato who were reliving their country's glory rugby days - of the 1970s.

Wales have never finished better than third, at the Rugby World Cup in 1987, but Mr Pattison was convinced this team was their best in decades.

"I used to go to the local pub with my dad and you'd have Gareth Edwards and J.J. and J.P.R. Williams there after their internationals, legends all of them.

"But I definitely think this is a Welsh team that's as good; we are now mixing that Southern Hemisphere flair with the best of the Northern Hemisphere. We're gonna be in the final," he said.

Also at Stadium Waikato for their dead rubber against Fiji was Daffyd Jones, of Llanelli, who made the long flight over from Wales on Wednesday.

He too was confident that with players like Jamie Roberts and James Hook they would threaten the best of the Southern Hemisphere.

"We are the best Northern Hemisphere team, we'll beat Ireland, England, whoever, just put them in front of us and we'll beat'em."

He believed the All Blacks would be Wales' likely opponent in the final despite the loss of star playmaker and five eighth Daniel Carter.

"I think most teams would be happy with Colin Slade as a backup plus they're playing at home, the All Blacks don't lose at home very often."

Agreeing with him was Fijian supporter John Hanfiro and his wife Lydia, who made their way from New Plymouth to Hamilton to follow his countrymen.

Mr Hanfiro was among hundreds of Fijian supporters, many of whom draped themselves in their country's flags, who came to follow their team despite their disappointing performances at the tournament.

With his team out of the tournament well before kick-off yesterday, Mr Hanfiro was keen to follow his second team - "the All Blacks, definitely".

"I'm pretty disappointed for him [Carter] that he's injured but I'm sure that the fellas coming in to replace him will do the job."

"I really think the All Blacks will win this one, finally."

Mr Hanfiro believed despite a poor tournament Fiji would take heart from Samoa's performance in their narrow loss to South Africa and Tonga's boilover victory against the French but after 30 minutes his side were well down 17 to nil.

Originally from Tanua, Fiji, Mr and Mrs Hanfiro got up early yesterday morning to prepare a major feast of roast pork and chicken, chop suey and marinated fish they were going to share with the Fijian team, many of whom they are related to.