Well, the first game that really matters in the Rugby World Cup is tonight, as New Zealand takes on Italy. You can read more than you ever wanted to know about the World Cup here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport.html?source=navWe last won the thing in the 1980's, and since it is only every four years, we have come excruiciatingly close several times. This year is the one, and the whole country is holding its collective breath; this year it's coming home. The All Black coach promises "blood" being spilt to claim the thing, a flood of messages make their way from NZ to Marseilles backing the black, and all over the country many quiet prayers are being said, and many schedules re-arranged to French time zones.
The tradition is a stonking run through to about the semi-final, and then a choke at the last minute (I shall never forget the year we were beaten by France (France! O the infamy!)), but the French just got humiliated by the plucky Argentine, so that will not, must not, and by God shall not happen ever again.
If you notice the level of the Pacific Ocean rising slightly, that's four million people down here sweating in unison. Please God, please Williiam Webb Ellis, please anyone else listening; give us the nod this time....