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It came, it went, and now it's back again - but only for a whirlwind visit.
Holding the Rugby World Cup trophy at Eden Park last night brought back memories and emotions for former All Black captain David Kirk.
It will be 20 years ago tomorrow that Kirk
held the Webb Ellis Cup above his head after the All Blacks won the inaugural Rugby World Cup at Eden Park, beating France 29-9.
The cup is in Auckland as part of a tour of the four countries that have won it so far: New Zealand, Australia (twice), South Africa and England.
Kirk said it felt surreal to be holding the cup, which is 50cm high and weighs about 4kg, at Eden Park again after two decades.
"It's amazing how time has passed. Holding the cup and being at Eden Park brings back memories - very sharp memories. A lot of things you remember as events but when you think of something so overwhelming as winning the World Cup, you remember the emotional content.
"It was a very physical game because the French had a very tough forward pack. I didn't feel as if we were going to win the game until I scored that try in the corner and at that point I just felt we were going to be World Cup winners.
"That was a much bigger feeling for me right at that moment than picking up the cup because I knew we'd won."
Former team-mates including Gary Whetton, Steve McDowell and Bernie McCahill joined Kirk last night in sharing their memories of the victory.
"It all happened so quickly [but] as I get older it gets more memorable and the game gets more exciting," said Whetton. Rating the All Blacks' chances this year, Whetton said they were as good as any other team.
"We have the best players, best coach and we just have to do it on the day."
McDowell said the cup had an interesting history. "It wasn't made for the World Cup," said McDowell. "It had been made for another purpose. It has a pineapple on the top and nobody knows why it's there. Everybody thinks it's a rugby ball."
And what are our chances of winning the World Cup in France in September?
Kirk is putting his money on the All Blacks.
He thinks France at home will be the biggest threat, but Australia and South Africa will be dangerous too.
His advice for the All Blacks: "Don't look forward or back, just play in the moment.
"Even if it's the lead-up or it's the last 10 minutes and we are down six points - stay in the moment and play and make the right choices. Don't think about the what-ifs."
Eden Park general manager Murray Reade said it was great to have the trophy back. It arrived in Auckland yesterday afternoon and heads to Australia today.
