‘New Zealand is either on top of the world or on the edge of oblivion’

Cameron Mather becomes an All Blacks fan again and finds that while much of the set-up has changed, old habits die hard

I’M a Kiwi who was extremely proud to play rugby for Scotland. I now find myself in the unusual position of still being at a Rugby World Cup, not involved with a Scotland side, and an All Black fan again after all those years.

A lot has changed since I last found myself supporting New Zealand at a Rugby World Cup, back in 1987…the last time they won the thing. Maybe I’m the lucky charm they’ve been missing for all those years. As I sat smugly in my press box seat ahead of New Zealand v Argentina last Sunday, I knew that three of the teams I had predicted would be knocked out in the quarter-finals would be tucking into their pre-flight peanuts.

I found Eden Park has changed, rebuilt beyond belief since I last played on the hallowed turf for North Harbour some 17 years ago. The New Zealand rugby public and certainly the NZRFU have discovered merchandise. For so long the black jersey was something you didn’t buy – you earned it. Now every man and his dog – literally – has one!

With this new-found commercialism has come the media frenzy that goes with it – a New Zealand rugby journalist is now like a tabloid’s royal correspondent. While not quite going through rubbish bins, most are more interested in the players’ off-field antics than their skill and grace on it. A few beers out with the boys is now the disgrace of a nation. New Zealand is the world’s biggest goldfish bowl, and an alleged tale started on the Friday will get back to you by the Saturday. New Zealand as a nation, and the way it feels about itself, is either top of the world or on the edge of oblivion. The injury to Dan Carter last week just highlighted this personality defect. From being the greatest rugby side in the world, within the space of 24 hours the World Cup was supposedly all over for the All Blacks.

Despite the absence of Carter, there are another 18-odd All Blacks that would waltz into most international sides. But as a country we love our team with an almost sadomasochistic desire to see them succeed as much as fail.

Only Richie McCaw and Carter seem exempt from the good old Kiwi tall poppy syndrome, and this is likely a measure of them as exceptionally well-grounded, humble people, and not just incredible sportsman.

After what had gone before with Ireland and England’s exits, most Kiwis should have been a little concerned about the challenge posed by Argentina on Sunday, yet the lessons of World Cups past seem not to have been learned, with most pre-game talk centred on who we would prefer to play in the semi-finals.

No-one had given Argentina the script, and for much of the first half they hustled and bustled the All Black side. When Farias Cabello dived over untouched for a try, the ground fell silent like a funeral. Felipe Contepomi slotted the conversion to leave New Zealand trailing, and you could feel the sense of ‘not again, not this time, not now’.

Piri Weepu’s boot pulled the All Blacks back in front to lead 12-7 at half time, and as the teams left the pitch the New Zealand supporters weren’t quite booing but you could tell they were not happy – you know, just like when you’re late home and your wife insists she’s not angry but everyone knows she is. Including the cat.

The second half saw the All Black machine begin to click into gear, even though the points only continued to come in threes. When Argentina scrum-half Nicolas Vergallo was sent to the sin bin for persistent infringements, the numerical advantage saw Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams carve through the defence with pace and raw power. The try line was finally breached after 67 minutes through Kieran Read and then again by Brad Thorn ten minutes later, but the floodgates were never ever open – brave Argentina fingers plugging the dykes.

The 33-10 victory was not the resounding or comfortable victory many had predicted, leaving this All Black side – and their supporters – with much to think about before the semi-final with Australia. New Zealand have never beaten Australia in a Rugby World Cup and on the back of Sunday’s performance, it could be a long 80 minutes we’re going to endure this coming weekend. Win, and a place in the final is the longed-for prize. Lose, and you’ll be seeing the game on TV. Your lucky charm is watching. Peanuts anyone?

• Cameron Mather played ten times for Scotland between 1999 and 2004.