Editorial: Let's hold World Cup with a smile

According to a TVNZ Colmar Brunton poll less than half of New Zealand believe the price of staging the Rugby World Cup is not money well spent.

You'll note that I put "less than half" rather than "nearly half" which was the thrust of last night's report.

The majority rules, and it's time we took a glass half-full approach to the Cup rather than pulling down, over-analysing and generally putting "small-minded" ahead of the little country we are.

This tournament's balance sheet was always going to be red. Move on.

There are just 17 days to go until the kick-off of what will be an enjoyable, colourful and ultimately exciting festival featuring thousands of international visitors.

And it's about much more than rugby. It's a test of New Zealanders' ability to play host in front of the world, and like a rugby test mistakes have consequences.

I spent 46 glorious days in Australia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

While the All Blacks' loss remains vivid it did not blacken my abiding memories of the tournament. What one remembers is the non-threatening atmosphere, the quiet efficiency of the volunteer army who walked people struggling to find their way (especially whinging journalists with the power of the pen) to the correct areas of grounds with a smile on their face, the great socialising, the multi-cultural feel (men with smashed noses with gorgeous women on their arms, as former Wallaby and journalist Peter Fitzsimons said recently), great stadiums, outstanding games and in my case, a work experience to savour.

I recently went into Melbourne to walk the streets during a long stopover at the airport because of those memories.

We need to ensure our visitors are treated royally. You will find they don't want much - other than a good attitude, efficiency and a Kiwi experience with a rugby flavour.

For rugby followers in France, Canada and Japan, who will all come to Hawke's Bay, this country is the holy grail when it comes to rugby. We need to ensure they leave thinking New Zealand is an outstanding country fullstop - a tourism destination to return to, a place to recommend.

Xenophobics, whingers, thugs and thieves stay home. Don't participate. You're the minority.

It's time for the more than half of us who already believe in the World Cup mission to take over the stage for the next couple of months, using our national sport as a springboard to showcase this great country.

That way we at least give it a chance to be money well spent.