WenLing-Jomec

After a rugby match in Cardiff: what will happen ?

On Bonfire night in Cardiff, it is one of big days in Britain. But no one seems to care about that.

If you walk down the streets beside the Millennium Stadium, after the Wales vs. Australia match, you will see fans flood into the road.

The reds cause “traffic jams” around the Millennium Stadium. They are shouting and chanting to each other. You cannot tell the result of the match from their faces. Everybody smiles, because the two teams battle to a 29-29 tie.

Due to the match, the policemen block the streets outside the stadium. A very long queue surrounds the Cardiff Castle. Without cars, people mill about safely and joyfully. They are still excited and recovering from the event.
Since Wales is the host, there is a huge amount of people with “Brains” logos on their shirts. Australia’s fans appear to be flooded with them. Even so, everyone makes an effort to support his team. Whether the Welsh fans or the Australia lovers, for example, some of them wear their national flags as cloaks. One Australian fan even carries a kangaroo-shaped balloon on his back.

There are long queues in front of bars. They are waiting in chilly weather and people who squeeze into those bars are enjoying beers and talking with an enthusiastic atmosphere. If you just pass by, be aware of drunken people. Some will get this chance to hug girls, even kiss them.

An Cardiff student recalls, “On that day, I was going to pick my friend at coach station and suddenly a fat man hugged me. I was scared because he tried to kiss me. Oh…that’s a terrible experience.”

People gather in a bar after matches is a part of Britain sports culture, of course, for the Welsh as well. But, the culture of Welsh rugby has some unique characters.

According to the Welsh, they have supported their local rugby team, when they were very little. Welsh rugby culture has developed rather different from other areas. Welsh parents buy replica soccer shirts for their children, and bring them to watch their own sport being played in the world, whether on TV or in the stadium.

Peter Stead, a Welsh fan said, “We always supported players and teams because they are good and because we knew them.” No doubt, the culture of Welsh rugby is close to citizens. Those matches are beautiful memories for life and the superstars are viewed as their heroes.

So, if you pass the Millennium Stadium after a Welsh game next time, do not be scared by those friendly fans. Their behaviours reflect the true characters of the match. You will see what the true culture of Welsh rugby game is.