Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Recently the living room of our Islington flat has become a far-flung annexe of the "Stadium of Four Million". Shortly before each kick-off, a dozen of the 60,000-odd fellow New Zealanders in the UK have shown up to yell at the television in appreciation of our country's finest export.
There's something novel about watching our homeland, so often peripheral, taking centre stage; our vowels intruding into British broadcasts; our players showcasing the exuberant running rugby that is their hallmark.
Yesterday, though, in a pub alongside scores of Kiwis and a mouthy Cockney in a beret, the carnival mood vanished before a textbook demonstration of the other noted trait of our national game.
Every New Zealander recognised, with growing dread, the familiar symptoms. Spirited French tormentors playing the game of their lives. Fifteen New Zealanders looking like black ghosts. The curse had returned.
Then, somehow, against the inviolable laws of the sporting universe, the All Blacks won the World Cup. The joy was overwhelming, but more so the relief. The French had played a blinder, the All Blacks like mortals, but mortals who had somehow subverted a decades-old curse. The rugby was ugly, but the victory? Beautiful.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments