Paul Thomas meets New Zealand’s legendary Number 8 to talk drop goals, Red Ale and England’s ‘group of death’
Possession may be nine-tenths of the law, but in rugby it’s points that count. Or should that be pints? For one ex-rugby union international, with one of the best pedigrees in world sport, it’s both.
Zinzan Brooke, the former New Zealand number 8 – whom ex-England captain Will Carling listed in the Daily Telegraph in 2007 as the eighth best player the world had ever seen – has now had a beer named in honour of his finest World Cup hour.
To mark the 2015 tournament, Windsor and Eton Brewery is bringing out a new ale, Zinzan’s World Cup Drop. And what a drop it is – and was. The 3.7% Red Ale brew takes its name from Zinzan’s famous 47-metre drop goal against England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in Cape Town, South Africa in 1995.
Of course, the South Africans would eventually upstage Zinzan’s tour de force by winning the final on home soil. Even in the semi, it was four tries by Jonah Lomu that really did the damage, demolishing England to put New Zealand through to meet the Rainbow Nation hosts. But it was Zinzan who stole the headlines with his dramatic drop goal, still a massive hit on YouTube.
Two decades later, memories of that moment have fermented nicely – and so has Zinzan’s commemorative beer.
“I was coaching the minis at Windsor Rugby Club,” explains the 50-year-old, who lived in Windsor for over ten years after his international retirement, and whose son Lucas now plays for the club.
“I have followed my boy through all the age sections. We are all volunteers as coaches and I wanted to do something to raise funds for equipment and kit.
“I approached Will Calvert, one of the four directors at Windsor and Eton Brewery, and we agreed it would be great to link the brewery with the club. I came up with the idea of naming a beer after my drop goal, and there it was: Zinzan’s Drop."
"We started it two years ago with the Six Nations, but have changed the beer and renamed it for the World Cup. I also wanted it to be organic and have some New Zealand in it, so the malt is from Christchurch.”
An agreed percentage of income from sales goes to the Home Park based club, of which Prince Philip is patron.
“It helps with balls, kitbags, cones and other training equipment,” says Zinzan at the ranch-style home in Holyport, near Maidenhead, he shares with wife Alison – a fellow Auckland Kiwi – and their six children. “The locals have embraced it, they like it, and the more that is sold, the more the club benefits. Windsor Rugby Club is very special. I mean, look at the backdrop. Plus it’s family-orientated, friendly, lively and well-run. There are some good dads and others who, like me, are all volunteers, adding to the ethos.”
And that goal?
“My brother Robin, with whom I was lucky enough to be playing in our national team, put up a Garryowen (high kick) and the ball was collected by Will Carling, who sliced it back to us. The ball bounced just by the halfway line near to the side of the pitch and sat up for me.
“I thought: ‘How can I upstage Jonah?’ I knew I could do it, so I just did. I knew it was going straight through the sticks. Jonah scored four tries, but everyone remembers the drop goal.”
England were defeated 45-29, but in the final South Africa beat the All Blacks 15-12 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
“South Africa were worthy winners and for me it was a fitting outcome,” reflects Zinzan. “It changed the face of sport because it galvanised and crystalised a nation which, until recently, had been banned from international competition. Now it was embracing a new life, a new way, trying to rid itself of apartheid and injustice.
“Still, we wanted to win. We didn’t just turn up to let history develop. But it was their day; that’s sport.”
As for this year’s tournament, the focus is very much on Group A, in which England, Wales and Australia have been drawn together. As a result, at least one of the top eight nations in the world will not go through to the knockout stages. Unsurprisingly, the group has been branded the ‘group of death’. Zinzan is not impressed.
“It is utterly ridiculous to have three of the best teams in the same group. A joke. One upset somewhere along the line and the host nation, England, could be out. That would kill the tournament for this country – there would be little interest. If that happens, questions will – and should – be asked at the highest level as to why three big teams were put together.
“Fiji are also in that group and, on their day, can beat anyone or give them a real scare. If England do go out, someone will have to answer for how the system has been set up. I know it is sport and you have to abide by the rules, but on this occasion it does not work. You’ll end up robbing the nation of its enthusiasm if, after the group stages, there is still so much more to watch but the national team is not in it.”
Nevertheless, Zinzan still believes that England will pose a threat.
“England are good enough, definitely, and being hosts gives them added impetus. But they do have to get out of that group and Wales have unfinished business, having come so close in the last World Cup. They could certainly beat England at Twickenham on September 26, and if Australia win there too, it’s all over for the hosts.
“Personally, I would like to see two Northern Hemisphere sides and two Southern Hemisphere sides in the semi-finals, so whoever gets out of Group A – England or Wales – I hope that they go on to the semis.
“But my outside bet – and it’s not really that outside – is Ireland. This could be their year.”
The relish is palpable. For Zinzan, rugby is something in the veins: dangerous, skilful, aggressive, but not violent; an art form mixing cunning with beauty.
“It’s one of the last gladiatorial sports, like motor racing. Going to rugby is like going to the Colosseum. Obviously the game has developed from the amateur sport it was when I played, but even though the approach is now highly professional, the principles are still the same. As a result, it still attracts the same people, but now with a wider audience too.”
And what are the highlights of a career that saw him don the All Blacks shirt no fewer than 100 times?
“My debut, of course, when I scored a try against Argentina, aged 21, in the 1987 World Cup,” he smiles. “What could possibly match the pleasure of wearing your nation’s jersey for the first time? Then going on to win the World Cup itself, that same year. It just can’t be beaten… and that drop goal, of course.”
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