Richie McCaw

By Paul Rhys in Asia on October 24th, 2011
Richie McCaw with the Webb Ellis Cup in Auckland [Paul Rhys]

My Rugby World Cup ended on Monday in a sunlit car park, talking to the man who had just carried the Webb Ellis trophy through the streets of Auckland in front of tens of thousands of proud New Zealanders.

The one-on-one with Richie McCaw lasted all of three seconds, as a bristle of microphones appeared in my peripheral vision and I was barged closer to the captain of the All Blacks by the journalists gathering at my back.

This newly-crowned world champion, the greatest player in rugby, is a couple of months younger than me. I felt about 12 years old as I got in my one question about the 200,000 Kiwis who turned out for the team's victory parade.

How did that feel?

"Mate, hard to explain. It was pretty awesome," said McCaw, his face and head flecked with blood from the 8-7 win over France in the final at Eden Park the night before.

By Paul Rhys in Asia on October 14th, 2011
Picture by GALLO/GETTY

New Zealand is hoping that history repeats itself next week.

Twenty-four years ago, the All Blacks won their only Rugby World Cup when they beat France in the final at Eden Park in Auckland.

If the French get past Wales in their semi-final on Saturday, and New Zealand come through against Australia on Sunday, the comparisons will be irresistible for a country that has been pining for the Webb Ellis Cup since they lost it in 1991.

The four teams in these semi-finals are the same as in 1987, the difference being that, back then, it was Australia v France and New Zealand v Wales.

The truth is, of course, that history never repeats itself.

If the reality on October 23 is New Zealand v France, it will have absolutely nothing to do with previous finals.

Comparison is a comfort, and that's what All Blacks fans will be looking for until their dream of Richie McCaw holding the cup has been fulfilled.

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