All Blacks: Nathan nostalgic for Cup's return

Waka Nathan. Photo / Greg Bowker

Legendary flanker Waka Nathan likes to believe the All Blacks can repeat their initial World Cup success when the seventh version of the tournament starts two years from today.

He thinks there is more chance of that happening than him repeating his ceremonial circuit of Eden Park before the first World Cup kicked off between the All Blacks and Italy.

"It would be something else but it was all amateur then, I can't see that happening again," laughed the man dubbed the Black Panther from his playing days.

"It is a fabulous memory, it always will be, and we won it. I wish we'd won it again since but maybe next time."

Nathan was part of the 1987 festivities which involved a relay run from the airport, a march past and then his lap of the ground and running the ball into the middle.

He has been to two other tournaments, in South Africa in 1995 and Australia in 2003 and would love to watch some of the matches in the 2011 tournament throughout New Zealand.

Further details of that event are due to be revealed today in Hamilton as the city gears up to host a historic weekend meeting between the All Blacks and Springboks.

Tournament organisers will present details of progress towards 2011 at a function involving Prime Minister John Key, International Rugby Board officials Bernard Lapasset and Mike Miller, Rugby New Zealand 2011 officials Jock Hobbs and Martin Snedden, Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock and All Black captain Richie McCaw.

The All Blacks will be involved in the opening match of the next tournament just as they were 22 years ago. This time they will play Tonga as action starts at 13 venues throughout New Zealand before the final at Eden Park on October 23.