Im no rugby fan. But the World Cup isn’t specifically about Rugby.

Anyone walking down Courtenay Place and seeing flocks of people dressed proudly as South Africans, Tongans, French people etc etc (some would say these people actually ARE South Africans, Tongans and French people etc) will be aware that in Wellington, ANY event is more about the atmosphere than the actual event.

I get we all got over the hype, I get that many of us are under the belief that we are too good to join the mainstream, and I suspect there’s a fair few of us who try to believe that sporting events are a bit of a trifle amongst all the ‘real’ issues in the world.

Well, I think you are all a little bit silly.

Firstly, yes, no one enjoys fake hype. Get over it. The hype’s all real now. The crowds are here, the pubs are full, the sun is shining, there’s Fijian Rugby Players taking over my gym.

Secondly. I bet most of you non-mainstreamers love to enjoy a tipple at the Matterhorn or suchlike, and follow underground bands, have meaningful tattoos, only like to travel ‘off the beaten path’, have experimented with vegetarianism and have accidentally committed to the much ridiculed philosophy of the Emos… Lets be alone together. No one is above the mainstream. The mainstream is a beautiful place to be, it’s one of the great explosions in life where exactly the right circumstances happen to unite us all in a common (even if silly) interest. It’s why we were born, why the world spins, and one of the greatest joys you can experience, if only you could see it through your pretentiousness.

Thirdly. I am aware that there are major issues in the world. Apartheid was one of them. Rugby was arguably a key factor in highlighting our anger at that particular political philosophy. Last night, Russia played the USA, a mere few years ago, they had nuclear bombs pointed at each other. On the flip side, Australia is our greatest and most hated rival on the pitch, yet off the pitch, we turn up first and without question wherever, and whenever we are needed. If we could resolve all the world’s problems with an oval ball rather than tanks, I would be the first to fall to the floor in gratitude… But in the meantime, sporting events actually have a major role to play in boosting our combined spirits after years of economica turmoil and uncertainty, it’s a break from the struggles of life, and actually these events prove time and time again to help us understand other cultures, fight out our issues fairly and generally build a slightly better world.

So haters, stop hating. Give up, give in and join the party. Chat to someone from a country you’ve never been to, back a country you may have previously stereotyped and have a little totally un-cool, un-selfcouncious fun while the worlds right here!