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28 October - 3 November 2011
11
early morning kiwi delight leaves the French crying into their croissants EMILY MCLEAN
“I’ve never felt prouder to be a Kiwi than right now,” yelled one All Blacks supporter after New Zealand tenaciously claimed victory over France on Sunday to become the Rugby World Cup champs. Beginning at 10am (9pm NZ time), NZ and French fans huddled side-by-side with rugby fanatics from every corner of the globe at Østerbro’s South African Bar. With a final score of 8-7, it was the hitherto fortunate French left cursing their luck as the New Zealand side took revenge on the nation that had bundled them out of the cup in 1999 and again in the 2007 quarter-finals. An unforgettable Sunday for those who know that home is where the Haka is.
When an All Blacks fan marries a Frenchman, the rugby will always be a point of conflict. Boasting French passports but describing themselves as Kiwis at heart, the Rabis family found their loyalties torn at times. From left to right, NZ-born Cherry Rabis, with her children Philantha and Christopher Rabis, and French husband Philippe Rabis.
Copenhagen’s South African Bar has been a frequent haunt for fans throughout this year’s Rugby World Cup. With a full house on Sunday though, many were demoted to the ‘cheap seats’, with some even fighting over floorspace – good-naturedly of course, and strictly no tribal dancing posturing.
The boys in black donned the right attire to cheer their side to victory in the ‘Kiwi-bloke’ style. The words “Bugger that” were uttered on more than one occasion from their corner. From left to right: Alex Brayne, Matt Mischewski and Nick Smith.
Despite their lands of origin, and their lack of black attire, all these blokes claimed to be fervent All Blacks supporters. From left to right, Peter Eybe (England), Chrispin Rolt (England), Mike Klein (US), Gareth Evans (South Africa) and Andrew Fleetwood (Australia).
Thirty hot, well-built men running around a rugby field was more than enough reason to see these New Zealanders make an appearance. From left to right: Sabine Skytte Hansen, Nicola Kofoed, Rochelle Klue, Gillian Breckell and Emma Murphy.
By this stage of the game the French were becoming slightly more worried - as seen by the look on Frenchman Fred Chiappini’s face (left). However his Kiwi companion Thomas Orr (right) was all smiles as his side staved off consistent attacks by the French forwards.
It was a day when everyone secretly wished they were a Kiwi. Calling himself ‘Chris the Swiss’ (left), this man quickly became an enthusiastic All Blacks supporter – it was hard not to be when surrounded by Kiwis Ben Hurst (middle), sporting a NZ regional rugby jersey, and Myles Oelofse .