#RWC2015 Diary: Australia Fanatics light up Millennium Stadium

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  • Australia's Fanatics light up the stands in yellow T-shirts.

    Australia recorded a solid opening win of the Rugby World Cup against Fiji but the game attracted some unusual supporters. Sport360’s Andrew Binner was there to experience the Fanatics, some kilted Fijians and a rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

    Cardiff — Watching a game of rugby at the Millennium stadium provides an assault on the senses that every sports fan should experience once in their lifetime.

    Wales is a rugby-obsessed nation and former World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry even described their public as the most passionate fans in the world. High praise from a New Zealander.

    There is an unexplainable buzz around Cardiff on match day that makes it one of the most popular away fixtures for opposition fans during the Six Nations. On Wednesday evening it was pleasing to see that tournament organizers had recaptured this magic for Australia against Fiji in the Rugby World Cup.

    Legions of Australia fans dressed in bright yellow poured off trains at Cardiff Central station like tennis balls from a container bouncing towards a venue in which the Wallabies have a favourable record.

    Rugby is best watched at the Millennium Stadium with its famous giant retractable roof closed for two reasons. Firstly, the pitch is kept dry and the game becomes more fast-paced. Secondly, the crowd noise is sealed in to create an amazing reverberating sound that can almost be felt in the stands.

    One disadvantage to this is echo effect is that Australia fans struggle to keep their various renditions of “Waltzing Matilda” in time but aside from this the noise is adds to the occasion, providing an inspiring backdrop for major Test matches.

    The players run on to six jets of fire blasting into the air like they have come from a Welsh dragon and the heat can be felt from over 60 metres away in the press box.

    The yellow attire of the Wallaby fans’ shirts combined with the similarly-coloured safety lines on each stair between sections of the crowd to gave an initial impression that this was going to be a partisan Australian crowd.
    However, as was the case with most World Cup group games, the neutrals clearly decided to even the stakes with raucous support for the underdogs. One line of fans in front of the press section had even combined Fijian shirts and kilts with the result a rare, if rather confused, ensemble that can only be justified by a Rugby World Cup.

    Australian fans are great to watch sport alongside. The self-styled Fanatics are certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but are undeniably vibrant and fun.

    Whether shouting for Leighton Hewitt at Wimbledon, urging on the Socceroos or geeing-up their boys at the Rugby World Cup, the Fanatics are relentless in their support and are never shy of expressing their opinion.

    One particularly amusing section of their number on Wedneday night had matching The Mask outfits consisting of a snappy yellow suit complete with the hat.
    Ironic boos rang-out from the Fanatics when Stephen Moore directed his men to kick for points whenever they were on offer instead of attempting to please the crowd with tries. Australia had learnt their lesson from South Africa not underestimating minnows.

    The loudest cheer of the half came on 17 mins as Fiji’s maul rolled dangerously towards the Australian with deafening roars of encouragement turning to howls of laughter as star Wallaby flanker was tossed out of the maul like a rag doll.

    The first-half never quite managed to break into the free-flowing spectacle that was predicted and a Mexican wave broke out amongst the 67,000 supporters in a tell-tale sign that restlessness was setting in.

    The crowd was in need of a pick-me-up and it arrived on 60mins when Ben Volavola flopped over the whitewash following a period of powerful phase-play by the Fijian pack.

    However the Fiji-inspired singing quickly died out as Australia re-grouped and hit back with several scores to end the game as a contest.

    Towards the end of the match a very strange chant started emanating the stands that gave the occasion a sense of pantomime. With Australia pressing forward in search of a bonus point the unmistakable sound of England’s Swing Low, Sweet Chariot sprang out to the dismay of many bemused Australians.

    Clearly the majority of neutral fans had made the trip across the M4 from England and they were keen to make their presence heard in a stadium where they are traditionally so unpopular.  

    As Australia hit the final few nails into the coffin, the Fijian fans remained seated until the final whistle – a testament to the jovial and friendly rugby environment of Cardiff that is a great place to be, regardless of the result.

    The only question that now remains is can the Welsh capital bring out the same level of support for Georgia when they take on the mighty All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on October 2nd? They are going to need all the neutral support they can muster.

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