Jubilant Kiwi fans enjoyed their 8-7 victory over France at sports bar Billabong.
Jubilant New Zealand fans converged in the bars of Wimbledon on Sunday morning to witness their country’s triumphant Rugby Union World Cup win.
Sports bar Billabong opened its doors at 8am to accommodate expatriates eager to cheer on the All Blacks in their hard fought 8-7 victory over France.
The win on home soil at Eden Park in Auckland was the first time New Zealand has won the William Webb Ellis trophy since 1987, leaving fans ecstatic.
Kiwi supporter Samantha Bryant, originally from Wellington but now living London, said: “It’s been 24 years of disappointment but to be here celebrating right now is just amazing.”
Also present was Richard Teale, originally from Auckland, who expressed relief at winning a tense game against a French team who eliminated both England and Wales.
“We’ve been close before and came unstuck late on so those last 20 minutes were never going to be plain sailing,” he said.
“But we came through and did it on home soil, and there are a lot of proud Kiwis around the world right now.”
Marie Costegnac, the only France supporter present in Billabong, says the result was hard to take but she was happy to congratulate the victors.
“We gave a performance worthy of champions and to lose by a single point is tough, but I would prefer to lose to the All Blacks than any other team,” she said.
The win held an added poignancy for a nation that has suffered well-documented tragedies throughout the past year.
It is nearly a year since the Pine River Mine collapse killed 29 workers, while the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake that accounted for 181 lives last February is still felt.
And Marie Sheffield, originally from Hamilton but now living in London, believes victory will provide a boost for national morale.
“The country has had a really difficult year and we all needed something to give us a lift,” she said.
“Hopefully this will get people talking about New Zealand for all the right reasons again and create a real buzz.”
