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We almost didn’t make it to Cardiff but once we did it was worth all the frustration encountered while trying to get there.
The first major difficulty was that we missed our train to London. Actually we were at the station well before it left but long lines at the ticketing counter and a heretofore unknown early check-in requirement meant that even though we had confirmed seats and were ready to go, we weren’t allowed to board.
So our next step was to head to the airport where we were waitlisted on a flight to Cardiff. After several hours of waiting we were told that if we ran to the gate we might make it because another flight into Charles de Gaulle was delayed and it contained two passengers whose seats we could have. It’s been a long time since I ran through an airport – I don’t think you’re even allowed to do it anymore in America – but we covered the seemingly endless distance quickly and somehow made the plane.
We both – me and my videographer/producer – thought that our troubles were over only to discover after we had landed in Wales and cleared passport control that there were no cabs available into the city, which is about a half an hour trip. It was desperation time so we starting asking for rides from anybody who happened to be in the parking lot and eventually found a taxi with a passenger who was heading to the game. We hopped in and thirty minutes later we were outside Millennium Stadium!
I hadn’t been to Cardiff since the 1999 Maggot Rugby World Cup Tour but I was immediately reminded what a great vibe the city has on a rugby day when the national team is playing. The immediate streets around the stadium were all closed to vehicular traffic and packed with Australia and Wales supporters.
We set up by the river Taff and started doing some interviews and generally chatting with fans. I forgot to mention that since every hotel room within about a thirty mile radius of Cardiff was fully booked we had no idea where we were going to sleep that night but it wasn’t really a pressing concern that early in the day. After about fifteen minutes of predictions and boasts from red and gold clad fans who should appear by a former Oxy Olde Boys teammate who just happens to be Welsh and who was in town for the match as well.
His unexpected presence solved our lodging problem – we could crash on his friend’s couches – and provided us with evening plans – a visit to The Swan pub in Caerphilly!
The match between Wales and Australia went about as expected. The Wallabies had to much skill and discipline, the Welsh fell behind and then finally started throwing the ball around and scored some entertaining tries, but it was too little too late. Chris Latham had a blinder for Australia and proved the difference maker in the contest.
Sunday’s fixture pitted Canada and Fiji in a clash of styles that the islanders won. There were 50,000 fewer fans in attendance but there was still plenty of passion in the stands and on the pitch as the Canadians stage a fantastic comeback only to lose the ball near the goalline as they were driving for the winning try. Suddenly the Fiji vs. Wales match on September 29 is looking enormous and we may have to juggle the schedule in order to see it in person.
I’m off to hook up with the Maggots tomorrow and hopefully get some game time on Tuesday night outside of Uzes.
