All Blacks victory celebration at Cornerstone Pub. L-R Cavin Clifford, Richard Moore, Tony Scott, Terry Ferguson, Bryan Keightley. Photo/File
All Blacks victory celebration at Cornerstone Pub. L-R Cavin Clifford, Richard Moore, Tony Scott, Terry Ferguson, Bryan Keightley. Photo/File
Grown men stripped their clothes and others cried like children as Tauranga All Blacks fans rejoiced in the epic Rugby World Cup win.
Walking out of The Phoenix on The Strand slightly bug-eyed but beaming yesterday morning were mates and brothers-in-law Sean Embling and Jeremy Kelsen. Mr Embling said he'd been given tickets to the final at The Phoenix for his birthday on October 4 and has been cheering for the All Blacks since.
"It was just incredible, that game," he said. "I almost fell out of my seat a few times."
Mr Kelsen travelled from Hamilton for the event and said it was all worth it after watching Dan Carter's drop goal.
"We were cruising, we had a good lead, and then it got real tight and tense," he said.
Rugby fan Bryan Keightley was so eager to watch the match, he'd arranged the early morning gathering at The Cornerstone with workmates and friends since before the first Rugby World Cup game took place.
"I was confident we were going to win. It was just by how much," he said. "It's great."
Mr Keightley said he was glad to have been part of a crowd watching the game together and commended the bar owners who took advantage of an amendment to the law earlier this year, allowing pubs to open early for the games.
"I would have loved to have seen the council do something a bit more. I guess I understand all of the logistics that would have made it difficult but a fan zone would have been great."
Cornerstone owner Taute Tocker said opening for the early morning matches had been well received by rugby fans wanting somewhere to watch the game together. During yesterday's game it was standing room only.
"It's been good for us."
Outside, a young fan in tears who would only be known as Matt said he was so happy he'd hug anyone. At home in Tauranga, proud Australian Rob Golsby, lamented his homeland's loss but applauded the efforts of the All Blacks.
"It's not too bad. It was a good game," he said.
Mr Golsby, who left New South Wales for Tauranga eight years ago, works at Zespri and was one of two employees rooting for Australia to win.
"My wife's away so I watched it with my 6-year-old daughter, who was supporting the Wallabies as well," he said.
"At half-time I got into managing expectations for a bit there. Then there were those tries which undid all my good work."
Hundreds of young and old gathered at Bethlehem Baptist Church to watch the game on a 200 inch screen. As the crowd gathered to sing the national anthem, a brave two stood alone to sing the Australian anthem.
Pastor Craig Vernall put on coffee and tea plus a cooked breakfast for everyone who came.
"A lot of people would be sitting at home by themselves watching the game. Bringing everyone together makes it more exciting," he said.
Police confirmed there were no arrests in relation to the game.
Fans' views: How did you celebrate the All Blacks' big win yesterday?
With a beer at a friend's house. What a relief!" Murray Dean, 40, Matua
"We had a big breakfast. I woke up to the sound of my dad yelling, 'You bloody beauty!'." Amber Watson, 21, Bellevue
"Just stayed up drinking from until about 9am this morning. Was a good night." Norm Waaka, 31, Oropi
Messages from our leaders:
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges
"I went to where the old Bethlehem Cornerstone Pub was [The Orchard]. I think it was a great game to top off a terrific tournament of masterful rugby by the All Blacks. It's allowed several of our best players ever to end on a real high.
I think the best bit was just after the second half when Ma'a Nonu got a terrific run away try. There were a few tense moments and the Wallabies were in striking distance but fortunately toward the end we sealed the deal with a kick and a try."
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby
"I watched it at home on the TV and bacon and eggs at half-time. It was a fantastic win. They played fantastically well as a team. But if I had to single anyone out it would be Dan Carter. He came back stronger than ever. The whole team got behind them. They knew they could win. You must always respect Australia in any sporting code. It was a good game by them but all of the All Blacks were determined. They were always going to be the winners."
"I watched it at home with the family. We were extremely confident at half time and got a bit worried when it got to four points. I'm delighted for us as a community who supports the All Blacks but also pleased for them as players that they were able to have this win for so many of them leaving after this. I just have the utmost respect for Richie McCaw. He's extremely professional, and it's the humility that comes with that - aspects we would hope to see in ourselves."
