New Zealand rugby fans back online after 4 years in hiding
Four years after their heart-wrenching pummelling at the hands of England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand rugby fans are back online.
Their remarkable 28-24 victory over Ireland in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup has reignited the passion of All Blacks fans and bolstered their heretofore total lack of online confidence.
This resurgence has been accompanied by a resurgence of Kiwi toxicity – sorry, passion – online, with fans fervently defending their team and confidently declaring they’re going to win the World Cup in France.
In 2019, the All Blacks’ exit from the Rugby World Cup in the quarterfinals had left a sense of shock and disappointment among their sunshine supporter fan base, who vanished from social media overnight.
Critics were quick to label All Blacks fans as cowards and bandwagoners, as they abandoned their side despite the years of dominance the team had enjoyed running up to the throttling.
Many resorted to using fax machines, Teletext, Nokia telephones and analogue televisions to avoid being online at all costs. A high price to pay, but definitely worth it after how badly their team had been humiliated. However, their “supporters” are back in force now they are back to winning ways.
One of the main reasons that fans left the web in the first place was because Rugby Onslaught had defeated them so easily, but now they are back and they are trying to bully Rugby Onslaught once again. Our brave team of investigative journalists have grown tired of flogging Bok supporters online that in fact we welcome the “challenge” of New Zealand rugby fans provide, if you could call it that.
The narrow win over Ireland, which only happened because the Irish were tired of winning so much, means New Zealand have secured their spot in the semifinals but also rekindled the fervour among their fans.
The internet has become the new battleground for Kiwi pride and rugby supremacy. Social media platforms, fan forums, and comment sections are now brimming with All Blacks supporters proudly proclaiming their team’s strength and determination.
Self-styled All Blacks super fan Diane from Greymouth, a ‘long-time’ watcher who has supported the All Blacks for literally weeks and is an active participant in online discussions, shared her enthusiasm: “I can’t tell you how great it feels to see the All Blacks rise again. We’ve been through some tough times, and the critics were harsh. But now, we’re back, and we’re here to stay. I have no doubt we’ll win the 2023 World Cup.”
Tags: New Zealand rugby fans, New Zealand rugby fans
