All Blacks v Wallabies: Loud and proud stand up and sing

Young All Blacks fans sing the national anthem during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Japan at Waikato Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Sing it loud and sing it proud.

Tonight the All Blacks face their toughest test of the Rugby World Cup against Australia.

It doesn't matter whether you're at the match or watching at home.

At 9pm, rise and take these words in your hands. Sing with passion.

The All Blacks need you. Your nation needs you.

You will not be alone.

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage has had three times the number of people looking up the anthem on its website before All Blacks games.

The Herald on Sunday has provided the words (see below) - and New Zealand Choral Federation conductor John Rosser has a few tips on how to sing it.

He says fans will get the best results from standing with their feet about 20cm apart with knees slightly bent.

Before singing, breathe deep into the abdomen.

"Take really relaxed, deep breaths. It gives you more breaths for singing phrases."

Rosser, who conducted the choir at the tournament quarter-finals in Wellington, says learning the words is important.

"There's nothing worse than not knowing half of your own anthem."

Rosser says belting it out encourages others to join in - as happened when he and a friend let loose during the All Blacks' quarter-final last weekend.

"We stood up when it was time for the anthems and everyone sort of stared at us. We let rip and very slowly everyone else stood up.

"All they needed was two people to say, 'Yeah, we are going to sing this'."

Victoria University Associate-Professor of Psychology Marc Wilson says singing the national anthem is just one way people can feel they are making a difference.

"It's a way of vicariously feeling like you're part of something."

The anthem is also linked to New Zealand's national identity, Wilson says.

"It's a good way to make people feel proud of being a New Zealander."

THE ANTHEM

E ihowa Atua,
O nga iwi matou ra
Ata whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau to atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

* If you want to practise beforehand, you can sing along to the version recorded by the New Zealand Choral Federation choir and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra by clicking here.