Viva Italia
Between you and me, I haven't watched a full game of rugby since the last Rugby World Cup - live or on TV. I just don't want my heart broken again.
But when the Italian rugby team use Nelson as their Rugby World Cup 2011 base to face Russia and the USA, they aren't too far from home. Right across the road from Trafalgar Park is Club Italia - est. 1931 (no less!) Click here for the Nelson Museum's take on Nelson and Italy.
The Azzurri took part in the first-ever Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand on 22 May 1987. The match proved a one-sided affair with New Zealand convincing 70-6 winners against a young Italian side. John Kirwan, later to become the Italian national coach, scored one of the tournament’s greatest tries for the All Blacks.
So New Zealanders have already had quite a relationship with Italian rugby, and now, us Nelsonians have adopted Italy as our home team for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Viva Italia!
(bring a pen/cil.)