Editorial: Cup good for our country

After 48 matches played by 20 teams at 12 stadia from Whangarei to Invercargill, it was All Blacks captain Richie McCaw who held the Webb Ellis Cup aloft at Eden Park in Auckland at 11.10pm last night.

It was the on-field climax to Rugby World Cup 2011, an event which has been superbly delivered by Rugby New Zealand 2011 under the leadership of chief executive Martin Snedden. He, along with the group who successfully bid for the tournament in 2005, must be viewed as special Kiwi heroes.

More than 100,000 rugby tourists were drawn to New Zealand and most will have departed having had an excellent experience.

Despite the reservations about the cost, and the lost opportunity to build a new national stadium, it should be accepted that there will be benefits from showcasing the event. The colour and camaraderie at matches was astonishing, and would have opened local eyes to the magic of the global game.

Incredible scenes at Auckland Airport when Tonga arrived, to the special atmosphere at Eden Park when Ireland beat Australia, to the outpouring of emotion as the All Blacks took their bow last night were just three highlights of many that will live long in the memory.

New Zealand was on show, and didn't it do well.

The use of Maori culture at airport welcomes and to bring teams to the field, the superb choirs who sang the national anthems, the volunteers who enhanced the experience - the roll of honour goes on and on.

It would be incorrect to say the whole country embraced the event, but it was close. New Zealand turned into a country of flag-flyers, with pieces of cloth adorning houses, cars and bodies.

Over the past 45 days I have attended 11 of the 48 Rugby World Cup matches - including all seven tests played by the All Blacks in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington.

France against Japan at North Harbour Stadium, England v France at Eden Park, and the two matches played at McLean Park - Canada against both France and Japan - were the other outings.

Each match was special in its own way. Every kilometre was worth it. To be involved was a massive privilege.

My tournament highlight? No longer do I have to say, "I was at Twickenham in '99" It was a close run thing but the All Blacks are the world champions for a second time.

Rugby World Cup 2011 has been good for New Zealand, and New Zealand has been good for it.