Rugby view ALMOST perfect

The clash between the All Blacks vs France lived up to its billing as THE MATCH of pool A of the Rugby World Cup. The atmosphere was terrific, the colour of the crowd was blindingly brilliant, everything was perfect until everyone stood up. When the crowd rose to their feet in excitement us wheelies were reduced to searching for cracks in the wall of bodies, to view the exciting bits or wait for the replays on the big screen.

Don't get me wrong I certainly enjoyed my night at Eden Park. It's just that some time ago I wrote to my rugby contacts to get an assurance that I would get a good view of the game. I remember saying that I had the experience in my younger years of being shown to my seat, or more correctly space in the Waikato, for a big game, at Seddon Park . There was a space especially for us wheelies at the back of the stand. Guess what. Everyone stood up that day too. It seems we haven't advanced too much over the years. The views are still blocked at vital stages for the vertically challenged.

The very friendly people at rugby HQ promised  me that my view would not be impeded. With all due respect that promise was not delivered

Just in case anyone thinks I'm doing a very good impersonation of a grumpy old blighter let me say this.The parking plan for people with disabilities was superb, so was access to disabled toilets and the officials were extremely helpful, but we were really there to enjoy the rugby and that's pretty hard to do when the crowd goes wild.

I hear the cry “but everyone is in the same boat” especially for those short of stature.  However even the shortest of them all has the ability to change position to extraordinary degrees and he/she even has the option of standing on seats, if things get desperate.

However, as always, it easier to point out the problems than offer solutions and I will be the first person to admit I haven't all the answers. Perhaps a wheelchair stand could be built to elevate us wheelies just a wee bit higher than bobbing head level. Better still the stand could be constructed on the field itself.

Whatever the solutions are, it's worth pursuing, as we have ALMOST got it right

Ross Flood