Nelson plays a cup blinder

Posted by Nelson Evening Mail on 3 October 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: Nelson Trafalgar Park, Rugby World Cup, Wallabies, Russia, Bears, Peter Barr, Aldo Miccio,

Nelson ended its Rugby World Cup on a high at the weekend, as the biggest rugby crowd in recent history packed Trafalgar Park to witness the Wallabies' 68-22 romp over a gallant Russian side. Although an Australian victory was never in doubt, the sellout crowd of 16,307 supported both teams, roaring with approval on the three occasions the Bears managed to score.

Town was buzzing earlier in the day, with the streets packed with tourists making the most of Nelson's markets and shops, some with facepaint already applied. At the stadium, local band Samba del Sol warmed up the crowd with their infectious samba drum beat, before making way for the main event.

Once the game ended Russia received their participation medals to the cheers of fans who had stuck around to show their respect.

Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Peter Barr said he thought the crowd was the biggest the stadium had seen in at least 10 years, and showed how the country had got behind the tournament.

Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio said he thought Saturday's game was superb, with the town buzzing throughout the day."It was a huge day and everyone seemed to be having a great time and that continued well after the final whistle and into the night." He had never seen so many people making so many fashion faux pas, he said.

There was a carnival atmosphere among the spectators, with colourful costumes ranging from kangaroos to superheroes to a group of Russian sailors.

Queenslander Cameron Foote was getting plenty of attention in his costume, a Wallabies-supporting Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.

He had the costume custom-made five years ago, for himself and his two brothers, and had worn it to the last Rugby World Cup in France.

Nelson had been the best stop on the current Rugby World Cup and was very relaxed with lovely people, he said.

Daughter Eden, 9, said it was hard to walk around the stadium with her dad, as he kept being stopped for pictures. She wouldn't mind a costume of her own, she said.

University of Canterbury students Erika Martin and Kendra Maxymowich were dressed as Russian matryoshka dolls. Ms Martin said the game had been amazing, but she had spent most of it trying to get on camera.

Nelsonian Annie Bell was wearing an authentic Russian greatcoat and ushanka, an outfit husband Steve had bought in a recent trip to the country. He had almost been arrested buying it, she said. The coat was made of thick wool, and very warm, so she was pleased with the weather. "I don't know how they fought in this," she said.

Mr Bell was supporting the Australian team, so was holding a sign in Russian that roughly translated as "you play like my mother's cow".

Christchurch rugby players Kerry Robb and Nick McLennan had played alongside many of the Russian players last year in a rugby exchange, staying in the city of Krasnoyarsk. Mr Robb said the Russian team were all good guys who loved their rugby, and played hard.

Husband and wife Michael and Amy Teen from Hokitika were dressed as Dr Zhivago and Lara, wearing authentic Russian costumes. Mr Teen said he was glad they chose the outfits, as they suited the weather. "It's the only time I've wanted Nelson to be raining."

Sydney-sider Kim Oxenhan was dressed as a Russian guard, going against national pride to support the underdog. "This would be a summer's day in Moscow," he said. He was part of the Qantas Great Crusade, a group of 25 campervans touring the country to attend games and check out the best of what the country has to offer.

Despite the size of the crowd, police were pleased with fans' behaviour, evicting or arresting no-one during the game.

Inspector Ross Lienert said the crowd behaved fantastically, with no problems whatsoever. "I can safely say that Nelson excelled itself overall."

The party continued once the game ended, with fans seeking shelter in the city's bars and restaurants.

Shark Club and Plan B owner Steve Shepherd said it had been by far the biggest of the match days, with a huge number of well-behaved fans packing the pub since lunchtime. "It was certainly worthwhile," he said.

The Vic Mac's Brewbar owner Ian Williams said the day was busy, with a crowd even during the game itself. There were plenty of tourists and plenty of Australians, and everyone was friendly and in the mood to enjoy themselves.

A police spokeswoman said most people were well-behaved and it was pretty much a normal Saturday night for police.

One Australian man and two people from Christchurch were taken to Nelson police station to detox early yesterday, but everyone else police dealt with were from the Nelson region.