Apparently he had enough medals in the closet already
October 31, 2015 5:56 PM   Subscribe

The All Blacks today became the first team to defend the Rugby World Cup. After the match a young eight year old fan ran onto the field to join the celebrations and took a heavy tackle from security - what happened next is pure gold.
posted by inflatablekiwi (29 comments total) 27 users marked this as a favorite
 
HAPPY DAYS!
posted by growabrain at 6:06 PM on October 31, 2015


Well played Kiwis (re: both parts of the post).
posted by pompomtom at 6:23 PM on October 31, 2015


That kid was transported with happiness.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:38 PM on October 31, 2015 [1 favorite]


What a class act!
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 6:41 PM on October 31, 2015 [2 favorites]


Congratulations to the All Blacks, this is a fantastic achievement.

Nice to see how they looked after the kid after being felled like that.
posted by marienbad at 6:58 PM on October 31, 2015 [1 favorite]


The medal would just have gone into a glass case to be forgotten. This act will be remembered for decades if not longer.
posted by Bringer Tom at 7:11 PM on October 31, 2015 [10 favorites]


a young eight year old

Looks like a rather old eight-year-old, actually. Like, maybe a 13- or 14-year-old eight-year-old, even.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:32 PM on October 31, 2015 [12 favorites]


The All Blacks never seem to distress me like American athletes do.
posted by Samizdata at 7:33 PM on October 31, 2015


Aw, that was very sweet. I had to watch it a whole bunch of times in a row.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 8:08 PM on October 31, 2015 [2 favorites]


Win lose or not is irrelevant. What we want to do is leave this country with people understanding we have good values and aren't bad people to be around.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:55 PM on October 31, 2015 [1 favorite]


What a class act. Excellent post, thanks for bringing it.
posted by Daddy-O at 1:56 AM on November 1, 2015


Amazing. Just showed it to my partner and she is now in love with SBW.
posted by greenhornet at 1:22 AM on November 1, 2015


I had the same thought, Sys Rq ....
posted by oheso at 1:36 AM on November 1, 2015


The Grauniad says he's 14.
posted by chavenet at 2:12 AM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]


This World Cup has also seen the Guardian's Andy Bull (previously best known for his cricket coverage) emerge as a genuine rugby writer. I just thought I'd link to some of the pieces he's written for the Cup here, since they're uniformly good:
The Making of an All Black: How New Zealand Sustains Its Rugby Dynasty.
England's Rugby World Cup Exit.
Europe Remains Poor Neighbour in North/South Divide.
Heartbreaking End to Scotland's Wondrous World Cup Finale.
New Zealand and South Africa: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
Australia's David Pocock Shows Sport and Politics Can Mix.
Dan Carter Brings Down the Black Curtain as Only He Can.
posted by Sonny Jim at 2:51 AM on November 1, 2015 [7 favorites]


Will no one think of the kids Seles?
posted by fairmettle at 3:27 AM on November 1, 2015


Lovely. I bet his promotion/endorsements manager just exploded with joy as well though.
posted by colie at 3:54 AM on November 1, 2015 [2 favorites]


And here he is consoling South African player Jesse Kriel after the All Blacks beat South Africa 18-20 in the semi.
posted by psolo at 4:17 AM on November 1, 2015 [6 favorites]


Looks like I did get the age wrong - was based on some initial NZ Herald reporting (who still have him as "7 or 8" in some of their articles....). Still I'm sure the young fella appreciated it...
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:34 AM on November 1, 2015


Awww, what a cute.
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 9:23 AM on November 1, 2015


It was also a very entertaining game. The All Blacks roared out to a daunting 21-3 lead, only to have a player sent off early in the second half and the Wallabies charge back to 21-17. The All Blacks have had a reputation as chokers, but this team, perhaps the greatest Rugby team ever (they've only lost 3 times in the past 4 yrs) knows how to finish. Sonny Boy Williams was a crucial part of that victory, in addition to being the heart of this awesome story.
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:02 AM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]


I think 'Sonny Boy Williams' was a bluesman.
posted by colie at 10:31 AM on November 1, 2015


I think the age thing started with Sonny Bill Williams, who said "He would have been eight or seven, I kind of felt sorry for him. It will be a night that he remembers hopefully."
posted by chavenet at 10:32 AM on November 1, 2015


I'm sure you're all feeling sorry for SBW as he'd have to return home empty-handed for all his hard efforts on the pitch. Well, don't worry, Sonny Bill will get a new medal for the tournament.
posted by Metro Gnome at 1:24 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]


Bloody jobsworth.
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:44 PM on November 1, 2015


It was a very good game. Even when the Wobblies came back within 4 points, I knew that it was out of reach. Outstanding performances by Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, and Pocock.

Pretty average performance by Owens, but it didn't affect the result, the better team won.

End of an era for the Darkness, with so many great players retiring. Onwards and upwards for the men in gold.
posted by wilful at 1:50 AM on November 2, 2015


Never liked $BW and his mercenary ways, but this act was pure class.
posted by wilful at 1:51 AM on November 2, 2015


Interestingly both the ring-wing and left-wing blogs here in New Zealand had their own peculiar take on this act of kindness by SBW. And that's because he is a Muslim. The right-wing had the predictable responses but even the left-wing The Standard, blogged, Muslim Gives Away Medal. Sigh. I think it was a spontaneous act of goodwill by a good-hearted individual - nothing more nor less. Disappointing that some saw fit to use this act for their own axe-grinding.

And, go the AB's!
posted by vac2003 at 7:54 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]


'The kid should have been shot dead instantly through the head because he might have been a terrorist! Also, muslims! They're also terrorists! Everyone in London is a terrorist! I love guns!'

Never read the comments.
posted by colie at 7:09 AM on November 3, 2015 [1 favorite]


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