The Rugby World Cup

Today we attended a sporting event that we had to buy tickets for about a year ago. Some of my foreign readers may have missed it but the Rugby World Cup was being held in England. This once every four-year event brings the top Rugby Union playing countries in the world to a tournament to decide who is world champion. Now although I am interested in rugby I would not call myself an ardent follower, however it is always good to attend an event of international significance. I have been to a Cricket World Cup final, the Olympics, and the Soccer World Cup so it is great to complete the quartet.

The game was being held at Elland Road in Leeds, which is a soccer ground the home of Leeds United.

I have been there for a soccer game and the atmosphere could not have been more different. The game was between Scotland and the USA. Given Leeds proximity to Scotland it was obvious that there would be a considerable invasion of Scots supporters. However there was a larger US contingent than we might have expected. Around us were visitors from New York and Atlanta. So the tournament was certainly bringing tourists to the UK. There was good repartee in the crowd and it was all far more genteel than soccer. A great atmosphere, if lacking a little edge.

In the first half Scotland were on top, but kept making mistakes at critical junctures. So there was a surprising score line at halftime with the USA being in front. This had the makings of a huge shock. However the Scots coach must have given his team an almighty rollicking at half time because their second half performance was much better and they ran out easy winners. Overall the game was entertaining and Marion also thoroughly enjoyed it. The main problem with rugby is the technical nature of some of the rules, so it was sometimes impossible to gauge why an infringement had been given. There does I think need to be more effort given to explain to the public the nuances of the game.

So an enjoyable afternoon was made better by joining our friends for dinner and drinks in the evening. They had been at the match coincidentally.