Rugby World Cup 2007 – A Tourists View. (Part 8 and Final Edition)Wed 27/05/2009 by Darryn HallPart 8 – Rugby, Scalpers and the Long Goodbye. About 2 hours after falling into bed following the ARU function and subsequent all-night party, I am shaken awake by David with the news that we need to refresh ourselves before the 3rd/4th playoff game tonight. We meet the Indian girls in the lobby and head out for a quick meal. The stadium is packed to the rafters for the game, but is decidedly sedate in atmosphere. I guess that this game has very little in the way of meaning and I suspect that for the players, it really is no different than a friendly fixture. The exceptions to this are the Argentinean supporters, who are carrying on like they are at a family wedding. Drums, bells, whistles and horns are in full volume as they push their team to the highest RWC finish in history. I was also lucky enough to have been on the Fanatics tour for the Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year, and the Argentinean tribal support is reminiscent of the West Indian crowd. Dance like there is no tomorrow! The game, however, is a bit of ho-hum. I’m not entirely sure of the value of the play-off game; it is a bit of a let-down for players and fans alike, given that last week they had been dumped from the semi-finals. Still, even though it is past midnight by the time we get back to the hotel, a few of the hardier souls (including yours truly!) decide some further exploration of Paris by night is in order. ‘Nuff said… Dawn of the final day of the tour comes all too quick. Today we will be meeting the Wallabies at the Hard Rock pub around 2pm before heading out to the stadium for the Final of RWC 07. David and I get to the Hard Rock early and chill out on an out-side table. After a few days of debating, we have come to an important decision – The thought of watching either England or South Africa hold up Old Bill is more than either of us can stomach. A piece of paper and a black marker pen puts things into motion: For Sale – 2 x Premium Reserved Seats for the RWC 07 Final. 1,000 Euros each. Outrageous, really, but this is the biggest game in one of the world’s biggest tournaments. And frankly, David and I need to re-coup some well-spent beer money! We sit back and enjoy a cold beer while we wait and see what kind of bites we might get. Now, I’m not sure exactly how long it took to offload the tickets. David says 3 minutes, while I am holding firm to the fact it took 4 minutes. Either way, David and I pocket a cool grand each (in Euros, thank you very much!) while one lucky Aussie tourist from Sydney now has front row seats to the big game. The final get-together with the Wallabies is a fun-filled occasion. Julian Huxley sings (again) some slow sad country songs (again). A lovely bloke, and the news the following year about his health saddened us all. Good luck Hux! I am lucky enough, (or unlucky, depending on your point of view), to be interviewed by Phil Kearns. I took the opportunity to apologise on behalf of Bacon Sandwich the Pig for masturbating his way across France, as well as giving a public salute to those wonderful Wallabies who joined us on tour. Especially Morgan Turinui, who is a great bloke and great fun to be around. Get that Gold jumper back, Morgan! All too soon, the buses arrive to transport the tourists to the Final. David and I are now staying here at the pub to watch it on telly (with a big wad of cash in our pockets, so don’t feel bad for us!). The good news is that the Wallabies feel the same as us and are also staying at the pub. After the game (no comment!) David and I say a sad farewell to the Wallaby lads and head out on the town. We have arranged to meet some of our touring friends for a final big night in Paris, and the night was not a disappointment! The next morning, there is just enough time for a last café breakfast before we start the business of farewell hand-shakes, hugs and kisses with our new friends. Everyone is heading off back to the reality of family, kids, work and responsibilities. David is leaving Paris for London, and I am heading back to work in Thailand. We have been mates for a long time, and we both live and work in Thailand so I will be seeing him again in about a week. Still, to acknowledge the end of the tour, we indulge in a big back-slapping hug before we go our separate ways. Looking back now, nearly 2 years later, I am struck by the strength of my memory of the tour. It made a massive impression on me and I can quite seriously say that, with the exception of my wife and kids, those 10 days in France were the best time of my life. David is now working on an oil-rig in Kazakhstan and I have recently relocated to Perth. It is hard not being in the same area as your best mate but we have made a pact – At least once a year we will get together. Strangely enough, that annual get together is always a rugby tour! Last year it was Hong Kong, and this year we will meet in Sydney in August for game 1 of the Bledisloe Cup! And 2011 will be a big one in New Zealand for the RWC. For those of you who are contemplating such a tour, all I can say is go for it! Life is too short for regrets and missed opportunities. My only regret is that I didn’t get on these tours earlier! See you on the road soon!
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