OPINION: While fans back home will rejoice at the lack of northern influence in the closing stages of the Rugby World Cup, on the ground, the atmosphere may suffer.
Photo: AFP
English fans have long since turned their focus to more important matters, like whoever's playing in the English Premier League football ties this weekend. Even their rugby players are back playing with their club sides.
But supporters of the Irish, French, Welsh and those desperately unlucky Scots were what made this tournament so great over the last few weeks. They've once again shown that, while the South may be streets ahead on the field, they don't come close when it comes to passion in the stands.
The most obvious example of this I observed over the weekend was at Millennium Stadium, not for the All Blacks' thrashing of France, but during the closing stages of Argentina's dominant win over Ireland.
Fans of the Irish were buoyant, leading into the tournament - their side had won two straight Six Nations and their world ranking had got as high as No.2. There was a real feeling they could do something special at this tournament.
Cardiff (the top city of the tournament, in my opinion) was packed with Irish fans on Sunday and the atmosphere inside the stadium was electric throughout the match, even as it became obvious they would have to wait at least another four years for their team to reach their first World Cup semi-final.
With Ireland trailing 43-20 and only a few minutes left in the match, every supporter in the ground dressed in green rose to their feet and began singing as loudly as they had at the opening kick-off, willing their side to a strong finish and thanking them for their efforts.
It was a real reminder that what happens on the field is but a small part of a tournament like this, a point All Blacks fans have struggled with over the years. I can't imagine New Zealand supporters giving their team a similar reception during any loss, let alone a World Cup semi-final.
The only remaining team in the tournament that can match the unbridled passion of the northern teams is, of course, the Argentines, with the football influence clearly shining through in the way they support their team.
However, there can be no doubt the four teams who are playing this weekend are the four best at the tournament, so while the intensity in the stands and in the streets may be toned down, down on the paddock, it's about to head to the next level.
