Rugby
Destination Dublin - Australia
Rugby legend Grant Fox's behind-the scenes account of chaperoning the Webb Ellis Cup from the All Blacks in Auckland to the IRB in Dublin.
Today in Sydney it was all about the kids, and that’s just the way I like it. It was great fun having a run around with some future rugby stars.
George Gregan and I took the Webb Ellis Cup out to Centennial Park near the Sydney Football Stadium to run a little coaching clinic and let the kids and their parents get an up-close-and-personal look at the Cup. The group was bouncing with enthusiasm - which is always inspiring - but so much so that we had to start by explaining the rules about being around the Cup.
Today in Sydney it was all about the kids.
You see, you’re only allowed to hold or touch the Cup if you’ve won it. The kids respected that right away - I wouldn’t have expected less, they’re rugby players! :-) But that didn’t stop them from asking again. Kids will be kids. When one eager lad asked me later if he could touch it, I told him that if he worked real hard at the game then one day he just might have the privilege. Although he was obviously disappointed, a grin emerged and I imagined he was dreaming of himself as a Wallabie.
The day was full of moments like these. At one point when we were taking a group photo I referred to the Cup as “Wiremu” - which is the nickname we Kiwis gave it after our RWC win in 2011. One of the boys nearest me asked what that meant. Before I could answer, George spoke up and explained where the name comes from. I had explained it to him the day before when he met the DHL plane at the Sydney Airport. If you want to know you’ll just have to read my blog post from yesterday.
The best part of the day was getting out on the pitch with the kids to play a bit of touch rugby and run drills. You could tell they were giving it their all for George and me.
I did my best, but I have to say they sure ran me ragged on this sunny and warm Sydney Sunday. A brilliant time though - thanks guys!
Next stop is Jo’burg, South Africa, and my itinerary says we’ll have a run around with more of the next generation of rugby players. I’m looking forward to it.
Grant Fox
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