Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid reckons it doesn't get any better than being at the live action of two Rugby World Cup games in successive days last week.

On Wednesday it was volunteer duty at the Rotorua International Stadium, with Namibia playing their second game in five days when they faced the pride and passion of the Samoan team. The following day the Sidmobile was rolled out for an away trip to New Plymouth to view Russia versus USA at close quarters.

The trip down (and back) to the Naki saw hundreds of All Blacks flags hanging off farm buildings, fences and rural property.

The best display for mine was provided by Go The All Blacks signage set out in a paddock, utilising used car and truck tyres.

Some of the biggest RWC and All Black support in the country has taken place in Te Kuiti, where the usually quiet hamlet has been renamed MEADSVILLE.

The travelling public are invited to stop in the town, to view mementos and signage that recognise legendary All Black Sir Colin Meads.

My favourite sign was the one that said You Can Bring Any Religion You Like to Meadsville – As Long As It's Rugby.

The match-up between the two former Cold War enemies was a unique experience of the entertainment value provided by the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

While the game itself, taken out by the Americans, was a relatively dour affair, the real value of the historic occasion with Russia making their RWC debut, was provided by the crowd.

The large crowd was a mixture of genuine Russian and USA supporters, with an amazing turnout of Kiwi rugby followers, who wore the colours of their chosen team on the night.

Sitting just metres from the field in seating just behind the southern dead ball area, we had a bird's eye view of the only try of the match, dotted down by the USA in the opening quarter.

However, the entertainment provided from nearby seats was amazing.

My pick, was a USA supporter dressed up as Rocky Balboa (from the Rocky movies) who was dressed in a satin boxing gown and boxing gloves.

Every time his side went on the offensive, he launched himself to his feet and punched the air with his boxing gloves to show his support for his team.

To add to the occasion, he was accompanied by Captain America in full dress, who was no less enthusiastic.

The Russian team also had entertaining support, with a Cosmonaut and a Russian General in full uniform taking centre stage in our area.

However, the real joy was the hundreds of Kiwi kids that dressed up and painted their faces to support their team of choice at the game in the Naki.

While the country has embraced the Rugby World Cup with real passion and fervour – Tauranga seems to have chosen to ignore the third largest sporting event in the world.

There was more flags and bunting on display in PioPio on the way down to the Naki, than appears to be around in Tauranga city.

Don't give me the garbage that because we don't have any games in the Western Bay, there is no real interest in the RWC in the region.

Taupo, which is in the same boat as the Western Bay, with No Games but is hosting three teams, has embraced the rugby tournament with a rare passion.

Not one, but two Fan Zones in Taupo bear testament to how the Great Lake region has embraced the RWC, with an emphasis on family attendance.

Tell me where you can take a family in Tauranga to watch the games on television, with a large numbers of like-minded family supporters – and I will believe that we care about the RWC in Tauranga City.

Go the All Blacks.