"What a fascinating question," I thought, as even a cursory glance at the Rugby World Cup would make any reasonable person wonder if it is about Rugby at all.
Certainly the winner of the Rugby World Cup will be recorded for posterity and the winning captain will be a hero and his name will be applauded hither and thither.
But apart from the actual players involved, what is the Rugby World Cup about?
This is a short list.
Number 1 - "It's the economy, stupid !"
The Rugby World Cup will bring into New Zealand several billion dollars through the plethora of industry and commerce that follows the players and supporters. Thousands upon thousands of people are enjoying the Rugby World Cup by visiting New Zealand. This boost to the economy includes airlines, goods and services, accommodation across the entire spectrum from home stay to classy hotels, rental cars, functions, parties … the list goes on and on. If there is one country who needed such a boost to its economy, New Zealand is the ideal candidate.
Number 2 - Tourism
New Zealand is certainly attuned to tourism. Any time of year hundreds of thousands of tourists are visiting New Zealand, with both the North and South Islands benefitting from this well-oiled industry. New Zealand has some of the world's most highly-prized natural tourism sites with facilities to match. These extend from the North Island's hot springs centred around Rotorua, to the fascinating 1920's décor of Napier. The South Island has its snow fields around Mt Cook to the famous rail journey from Picton to Christchurch with its open air viewing carriages. The Rugby World Cup has given the tourism industry a mind-blowing bump-up as thousands will take to the tourist routes after the World Cup.
Number 3 - Anyone but the players
The Rugby World Cup is about, it seems, anyone but the players. First there are WAGS – the wives and girls friends, even a bit of royalty thrown-in for good measure. The news print, on-line news and the social media are all agog with 'who's with whom', 'who's wearing what' as well as where they're all coming from and going to. Then of course are the politicians; never let a great photo opportunity get in the way of a politician.
Number 4 - The gaffs
The Rugby World Cup it seems is coming a poor second to many celebrity players having their moment in the sun with a gaff here and a gaff there to the point where former Wallaby World Cup winning captain Nick Farr-Jones told one of them to pull his head in. But it's not restricted to the players, others too have had their fair share of the gaff comments including WAGS and politicians.
Number 5 - Christian outreach
There is a huge New Zealand-wide Christian outreach going on behind the scenes with everything from home-based community functions with accompanying televised matches to ministry in and around the grounds across the nation. There have been an enormous number of literature items and related DVDs passed out. Rarely does a nation of so many Christians and a nation so passionate about their "All Blacks" have had such an opportunity for evangelism.
So is the Rugby World Cup about the Rugby? For 80 minutes of each match it is – perhaps – but the real stories it seems are elsewhere !