Ireland's Stephen Ferris (top) tackles the Wallabies' Will Genia (center) while Australia's James O'Connor (14) supports his teammate during their Pool C match at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Ireland won 15-6. Bogdan Cristel /Reuters

Sometimes there's more to winning than hoisting a trophy; as South Africa found out at the Rugby World Cup in 1995 and New Zealand may discover next month, writes Tym Glaser.

It was one of the greatest sporting moments of the 20th Century: President Nelson Mandela, wearing a Springbok jersey and a matching cap, walking out on to the Ellis Park rugby pitch to present South African captain Francois Pienaar with the William Webb Ellis Cup after the host's shock victory over favorite New Zealand in the 1995 final.

The occasion marked South Africa's first great stride back on to the sporting stage after so many years in the wilderness due to its apartheid policies. However, the symbolism and importance of that event went far, far deeper than celebrating a glorious Cup victory.

The Springbok jersey represented everything black South Africans hated about the horrid policy which subjugated them for so long. Rugby was, to them, the "white man's sport" in that Southern African nation. When Mandela wandered out in that (in)famous green jersey with the leaping gazelle logo, it marked a significant sign that the healing process had begun and the country was ready to move forward united.

This year's Cup host, New Zealand, faces no such great political gestures, but the team can provide hope and joy to a country rocked by the dreadful Christchurch earthquake in February, which claimed more than 180 lives.

Nothing can bring back those lost that day but, just as in South Africa, a win by the host would mark a step forward on the long road to recovery - even if the joy of victory provides only a temporary salve to those who lost loved ones and a country that had one of its most beautiful cities shattered.

Just as in the first Rugby World Cup (RWC), which was also held in New Zealand, the All Blacks have been the favorites. Well, that's nothing new as they were the favorite or second favorite at each of the previous half dozen tournaments.

However, surprisingly, for a nation so steeped rugby lore, it still has only one Webb Ellis Cup in its trophy case, while Tri-Nations rivals Australia and South Africa have two apiece and England also has one.

The Cup started on Sept 9, but the real action won't begin until the knockout phase kicks off on Oct 8.

There may be 20 teams involved in the rather long-winded event which climaxes on Oct 23, a mere 40-plus days after it started, but probably less than a handful can claim the prize.

The Southern Hemisphere teams lead the way with a tricky England team, which is making a habit of performing well on rugby's biggest stage, probably in the mix as well.

Six Nations sides Wales, Ireland and France could also make waves, but it is hard to see "Bill", as the Aussies call the prize, not staying in the Southern Hemisphere.

The All Blacks will be keen to erase two decades of under-achievement and disappointment at the Cup and the Springboks, who played possum for most of the recent Tri-Nations series by "resting" their best players, will be thereabouts deep into the second month of the event.

As will be the Wallabies, the team that seemed to be peaking at the right time before Saturday's 15-6 loss to gritty Ireland.

"When Kiwis are asked, 'who do you want to see win the World Cup if the All Blacks don't?' The answer always comes back, 'anyone but the Aussies'.

There's that pluck New Zealanders are renowned for.

Being Australian, I naturally hope the Wallabies can pull it off, but if they don't, I hope the All Blacks get it and that the trophy can be handed to them by the mayor of Christchurch.

(China Daily 09/18/2011 page8)