The World Cup Kicks Off (You Know, The One Where People Throw A Funny Shaped Ball Backwards)

Fans watching France vs. Japan on the big screen at Score (bizarrely the Japanese fans all seemed to have English accents)

Following a spectular opening ceremony with Maori dance, Poi-spinning, a plethora of fireworks and a frankly baffling bit in which a child shuffles through the darkness like a lost soul in order to pass a ball to Jonah Lomu, the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup is now in full flow.

The host nation, New Zealand, are strong favourites to lift the trophy, but Australia, confident and fresh from winning the Tri Nations, may yet snatch their Antipodean rivals' glory.

England are also strong contenders, though Jonny Wilkinson’s uncharacteristically poor kicking in their opening match is something of a cause for concern.
The South Africans, who won the 2007 World Cup in France, are also one to watch, with a strong team and a relatively easy group to get through.

And although they left much to be desired in their opening match against Japan, France are never a team to write off.

So they’re the frontrunners, but it’s a tight field this year and the competition looks set to be fierce.

PP rugby enthusiasts can catch all the matches on the big screen at Score Sports Bar and down by the riverfront at Paddy Rice’s Irish Bar, amongst other fine (and not so fine) establishments.

Sadly, I fear that my beloved Scotland don’t stand a three legged cat’s chance in the fiery depths of hell of winning the tournament, but…I’ve got my finger’s crossed.

For forthcoming fixtures, check out the Events List on the frontpage of the Expat Advisory site.

• 8599 reads
• Printer-friendly version