'Passion is extreme': New Zealand rugby fans brace for World Cup semi-final

Nerves, excitement and wall-to-wall coverage as All Blacks prepare to take on England in do-or-die match in Japan

Twenty-four hours out from the do-or-die Rugby World Cup semi-final in Japan, All Blacks fans across New Zealand are beginning to feel a quiver of nervousness.

The country’s state broadcaster assured fans on Thursday that the game would still broadcast on free-to-air TV despite its headquarters suffering smoke damage from a fire at the nearby Skycity convention centre. Meanwhile, watching parties are planned around the country, with a long weekend and 9pm kick-off delighting fans, many of whom must travel from remote areas to pubs and hotels to ensure they get decent coverage.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2PllFUD