The curse of the host nation
It was the passionate Argentinean support celebrating on opening night
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Monday, 10, Sep 2007 03:55
Playing in front of your own supporters is often considered a massive advantage in sport.
And when things are going well, or if the team just needs that little boost, a passionate set of fans in the stands really can help the team dig a bit deeper and secure a victory that might otherwise have eluded them.
But an expectant crowd can also be a curse. Supporters often demand more than their players are capable of, and can turn on their beloved team at the drop of a hat. In this scenario home advantage offers little assistance and can become more hindrance than help.
This year's Rugby World Cup sees France shouldering the enviable burden of home advantage. Les Bleus have a passionate following and their presence could potentially give them the lift they need to secure their first World Cup. This support is something the French team will undoubtedly welcome, having experienced the undesirable taste of World Cup final disappointment on two previous occasions.
France are certainly one of the strongest sides in this year's competition and their fans will be hoping for another appearance in the final - at the very least. The only problem is that the Webb Ellis Trophy has not very often remained in the country hosting the competition much after the competition's last game has drawn to its conclusion.
In fact, it has happened only twice. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987, the year they were joint hosts of the competition with Australia. And Nelson Mandela captured many headlines by presenting his victorious South African team with the trophy, proudly wearing his Springbok shirt, when they hosted and won the event in 1995. This is probably the more memorable of the two successes for host nations, but South Africa's victory was not without controversy, as the New Zealand side facing them in the final were struck down by food poisoning shortly before the final.
The rest of the competition's relatively short history is one of host nation near-misses and outright disappointment. Few Australian supporters will need reminding which side experienced the curse most recently. Jonny Wilkinson's extra-time winner broke Wallaby hearts in 2003 and ensured the trophy made its way to England for the first time.
Australia had a superior points difference, registered more tries and made more conversions than England during the tournament, but none of those impressive facts, nor the advantages offered by the presence of their famously enthusiastic fan base, could affect the eventual outcome of the competition.
England's victory down under highlighted the benefits sometimes offered by not being the host nation. Teams such as the All Blacks and South Africa, who will have less support than some of the European teams, will be playing with relatively little pressure in France.
This year many insiders are tipping the hosts as the only side from the northern hemisphere capable of scooping the biggest prize. The French team is peaking and they ran out worthy, if narrow, victors during the Six Nations earlier this year. They will certainly be confident throughout the tournament and the squad will be looking to the fans to cheer them on to victory. But the squad, much like their followers, will still have the sour taste of previous capitulations at the back of their throats and will be praying for a more positive outcome this year.
A cup triumph for France would only be possible if they can find the resolve that has previously eluded them to beat the likes of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
This would be an impressive achievement in itself, but their main challenges could well prove to be conquering the curse of the home nation and living up to the lofty hopes of their expectant supporters.
Alex Aspinall