A real French welcome for the Aussies…………………………..
Montpellier – Sunday 23rd September – a report by our intrepid Rugby World Cup Mole!
Today the green and gold came to Montpellier and not only dominated the rugby but the town centre, square, hotels and bars, with the French welcoming the Aussies with open arms and excelling as hosts of Rugby World Cup 2007.
With what might surprise some as French efficiency the thousands of fans wee transported without a hitch to Montpellier’s Stadium Mosson by the very efficient electric trams – big tick for Melbourne and we need more trams in Sydney – and Heineken flowed freely at the many bars outside the ground with, as usual the Aussie fans setting about enjoying themselves even before the match had begun.
The many security guards maintained the peace, which as with rugby all over the world was neve an issue, but the RWC requirement that all spectators be frisked on entering the ground was felt unnecessary by many fans – hey this is rugby and we are about friendship and fraternity.
Mind you, this Mole’s partner was disappointed that she was frisked by a female and not a Frenchman!
The stadium was a venue in 1998 for the world cup of that other code, can’t remember what it is called and it is a really excellent venue for rugby, with the new stand bathed in Aussie Gold sunshine, allowing the ground capacity to be increased to 31,000.
A resounding chorus of the national anthem Advance Australia Fare brought out the visiting Aussie fans pride and joy but the spectator’s enjoyment was diminished slightly by the availability in the stadium of only non alcoholic beer – what only non alcoholic beer!!! I could not believe it!
The mexican wave competed with the brass band and the bag pipes for the crowds’ attention, with two spectators clearly overwhelmed by the occasion and the warm day, streaking across the field – really great for the Aussie crowd as we have not seen streakers for a long time – no fine sin France it appears – maybe we have become too serious!
The journey back to Montpellier central saw the Aussies singing and teaching the dismayed French a few of the verses of Waltzing Matilda and trying to explain just what is a jumbuck – as if we knew!
The archetypal Gallic town square was again a sea of green and gold with many fans watching New Zealand narrowly defeat Scotland on the big outdoor screen.
Garcon another bier s’il vous plait and a Pernod for Madame!
This is the life – next stop Bordeaux.
By the way…. Australia 55 beat Fiji 12!
A report by The Mole on location in France for Rugby World Cup 2007
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