After an extraordinary Rugby World Cup final, Ruby Tui of the winning New Zealand Black Ferns team broke into a waiata (song) known to all New Zealanders.
Under the bright lights of Auckland’s sold-out Eden Park stadium, with gold ribbons sparkling behind her, a beaming Tui sang Tūtira mai ngā iwi (Come Together as One) to the crowd, and more than 40,000 adoring voices answer: -‘ tātou tātou e!’ the stadium roared: ‘everyone, everyone!’
It was a poignant and fitting end to a tournament that has sparked a new and overdue fever for women’s rugby. Multiple records and television ratings, wall-to-wall media coverage and packed bars – the fandom of the women’s tournament was unprecedented.
“If you like sports, take the genre out,” Tui said, urging people to ask themselves what makes them happy. “Because I guarantee you, that semi and that final, that was entertainment, baby. That’s what sports are all about.”
Lily, a fan who flew in from Wellington to attend the game at Auckland’s Eden Park with her whānau [family] he said he had never experienced a sports game like this, “where there are so many people, so invested in every step of the game, from the very beginning … it felt like there was so much more at stake.”
“The collective tension was incredible,” he said. “People were on the edge of their seats minute after minute – there was absolute euphoria at Eden Park.”
The connection with the Maori world [the Māori world] it was palpable, he added, noting that he had never seen so much use of Maori language songs, the Maori flag flying and tens of thousands of fans swinging poi in support.
“The haka brought tears to people’s eyes and through all the ups and downs the crowd was there, it was electric and proud.”
Women’s rugby was as good as I always told you it was #RWC2021
There is no investment in these champions and everyone you just inspired today.
— Alice Soper (@alicesoapbox) November 12, 2022
In a packed sports bar in Wellington, a pair of friends, a Maori and a Brit, celebrated and despaired again as their respective teams advanced and retreated throughout the game to the last minute alarm.
As the 80th minute drew to a close and New Zealand’s victory was assured, rugby fanatic Marnie (descendant of Ngā Puhi) jumped out of her chair. “I’m overwhelmed, I want to cry,” she said.
“I feel amazing, I’m so proud. The women have worked so hard – they are mana wāhine toa [strong women] – As a Maori woman, I am very proud.”
Marni paid tribute to the English team: “The Kiwis felt the pressure, they played us really hard until the end but, well, Kiwis love rugby, it’s in our blood.”
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Marni’s friend Charlie, an ex-rugby player, believed she was the only Brit in the bar, but she “liked watching the New Zealanders start”. Charlie, who lives in New Zealand, was torn on who to root for in the final, but said “both teams put in such an amazing performance”.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was flying to Cambodia during the match, congratulated the Black Ferns on social media.
“When we boarded the NZDF plane to head to the East Asia Summit this afternoon, I asked the crew if they expected any updates on the Black Ferns game while we were in the air,” he wrote.
“Not only did they update us on the scoreboard, but we also had a drop in injuries. We landed in plenty of time to catch the closing 20 minutes… and I’m so glad we did. There are no words for this game, just as there are almost no words for black ferns. But, for now, I’ll go with ‘legends’”.
It’s a sentiment echoed by fans young and old across the country, and a tournament sure to inspire a new generation of fans and players. As cameras panned the crowd at Eden Park, one girl held up a sign: “They’re not girls, they’re legends.”
“Women’s rugby was as good as I always told you it was,” rugby superfan and commentator Alice Soper posted on Twitter, followed by a plea to New Zealand Rugby: “[Now] bloody invest in these champions and everyone you just inspired today.”