During the Rugby World Cup 2007 I was asked to keep clients of Bang Design Agency updated on the tournament with an entertaining email campaign - for a sports fan you couldnt ask for a better writing task !
Rugby fans, the moment is almost upon us. The sixth Rugby Union World Cup is only days away. The comp kicks off bright and early on Saturday morning, when hosts France take on dark horses Argentina.
It’s the beginning of a six week long rugger-fest of pride, passion and ferocious action. So clear the calendar, reclaim the couch and get ready for the oval ball, rucks and mauls, poms and gauls, up and unders, inside centers, the goosestep, and the goosebumps, because… the world is now in union.
So who will be basking in the glory of a World Cup triumph on October 20? All the union powerhouses are in with a shout, but no great rugby nation can truly compete unless it has an anthem, song, war cry or hymn that inspires its players to greatness.
In our first RWC newsletter, Bang’s rugby experts analyse the contenders, the pretenders and their spine-tingling ‘battle cries’.
Australia
With two titles, the Wallabies are the best team in World Cup history, but they’re no spring chickens.
Strength: Got the skills, the craft and the experience.
Weakness: Half the team doesn’t have to pay for public transport.
Battle cry: Waltzing Matilda ***
England
The Poms somehow managed to win the last World Cup but don’t count on a repeat.
Strength: The defending champs. Have tasted victory.
Weakness: Karma has returned to the universe - England are rubbish again.
Battle cry: Swing Low Sweet Chariot *
France
The French with their flamboyant attacking brand of rugby are the neutrals’ favourites. With home town advantage this could be the year they break their World Cup duck.
Strengths: Play with passion, flair and reckless abandon.
Weakness: Play with passion, flair and reckless abandon.
Battle cry: Le Marseilles’ ***
Ireland
Rugby is the only sport where the entire island unites behind a single team. They’re strong, jolly and could spring a surprise.
Strength: Proud rugby nation with Irish luck on their side.
Weakness: Need mud, rain, wind and Guinness to win.
Battle cry: Ireland’s Call ****
New Zealand
The All Blacks are untouchable unless they’re playing the World Cup when they become as vulnerable as a sheep in long grass.
Strength: Way better than anyone else.
Weakness: Chokers. Still recovering from dodgy hotel food dished up in Johannesburg in 95.
Battle cry: God Defend New Zealand/The Haka *****
Scotland
The Scots always give a good account of themselves but they’ve got some difficult games ahead.
Strength: Braveheart mentality. The Scots never give up.
Weakness: Talk gibberish, and wear skirts.
Battle cry: Flower of Scotland *****
South Africa
Mandela magic guided the Springboks to victory in 1995 but since that dramatic win the Boks have either played bad or played dirty.
Strength: Tough and uncompromising. Forwards eat their young.
Weakness: Player’s shirt numbers correspond to their IQ’s.
Battle cry: Shosholoza ****
Wales
The Welsh live, eat and breathe rugby. It’s a pity they’re not that good at it.
Strength: Steeped in folklore of Welsh rugby legends. Showed promise in 2003.
Weakness: Thyr tyrryfyd of vowyls.
Battle cry: Land of our Fathers ****
The Pretenders:
Argentina: The Pumas are fierce and talented but yet to make an impact in a RWC.
Japan: Very very quick, but very very little.
Fiji: Masters of ‘seven a side’ rugby but lose all their skills if eight more players are added.
United States: Any American capable of running jumping or tackling is making millions playing basketball or football.
Canada: Any Canadian capable of running jumping or tackling has escaped across the border to America.
Italy: Being ‘play-acting nancies’ doesn’t seem to work as well in rugby.
Samoa: Shocked the world at the ‘91 RWC. Just plain shocking since.
Georgia, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, Tonga: cannon fodder.
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