What the 2019 World Cup showed the rest of the world

The 2019 rugby world cup will be remembered for many things rugby related, the fast paced game of the Japanese, the brutal physicality of the Springboks, The skill of the Islanders, the upsets and the outstanding performances. But it will also be remembered for highlighting the underdog and bringing to light the smaller rugby nations and showing the passion that they have for the game but also the pride they have at representing them at the highest level.

But the rugby world cup will be remembered for more than just sport, it will be remembered for all the right reasons and none of the negative reason. During the pool stages at the world cup Japan was hit by a terrible storm that destroyed communities and sadly people lost their lives.

Japan where needing something special to happen to allow them to rebuild as a nation, well they got it with. Not only did the Japanese team play some of the best rugby the world had ever seen, they got further than they had ever done before and showed the rest of the world that they where a team that could not only compete at the top table but could also win.

But what they really got was the rugby world coming together to help and support the local communities, the country needed help and support from the rest of the world and they where able to get it. Rugby was put on hold and the teams stepped up and supported the communities. Some teams even stayed after the end of their tours to help clear and support communities who where most in need.

The Country suffered a horrible moment in it's history but with the support of the rugby community and in front of the whole world they showed that a country can be knocked down but can also rise up and show that a positive thing can come from a negative.

Not only did the world witness the coming together of communities from the rugby world it also saw the inspirational world cup win for one of the most deserving countries in the world at the current time.

South Africa had found themselves in real trouble as a nation and they needed a lift something to bring the country together again. They needed another Mandela moment that would bring a whole nation together. Well they where just about to get it. Their inspirational captain Siya Kolisi, the first black captain in Springbok history lead the team with such grace and passion. He was such a inspiring and humble man though the whole competition.

The Final against England was a brilliant performance. The team played with such desire and passion. For me as a English fan it was tough to watch. But after reviewing the game and taking some time to process the result in dawned on me that South Africa where playing for way more than a cup or a title they where playing for a Nation in need, what they achieved did not just gain them sporting glory it gained them a key point of focus for a nation to come together, a nation that is to often separated by colour and status could again come together under one single banner and could support and each other.

In a view that i found to be more spiritual than my normal views, i felt that South Africa not only deserved the win on the field but off the field they where more deserving of it and they needed it more. Not as a team but as a nation they needed it more and because of this i believe that is why they won.

So the 2019 world cup can be defined by two massive comings together of people, not just form the rugby world but from the whole world. It showed that when humanity is in need, people forget there differences and come together to support others. It was a celebration of all that is good in rugby and the world and currently at the moment it is something we again need as people.