Napier embraces confident Canadians

With their match against Japan fast approaching, Canada's players are embracing the hype as the atmosphere in Napier’s town centre turns to carnival.

Locals and visiting fans are not holding back in showing which team they will be supporting on Tuesday at McLean Park.

“I think it helps that we have a bunch of guys that look like homeless guys and a bunch of blue-collar guys putting in the hard work,” said Canadian centre Ryan Smith. “I think the Kiwis embrace that because they’ve gotten behind us amazingly.

“Mostly because we put in an honest effort and Kiwis seem to respect that, but either way it’s awesome for us because the more red flags in the stands the better for us.

“When the vibe around town starts going up and people start backing you, our guys have really grabbed hold of that.

“We didn’t win against France, but we took a lot of positives out of it and confidence is a big thing, and right now this team has heaps of it.”

Hairy support

With the Canucks settling into their second home at their hotel in Ahuriri, Napier, there may be a slight bias in the crowd towards Kieran Crowley’s men when Canada and Japan take the field on Tuesday.

The Napier locals have been supportive of Kiwi-born Crowley’s side since they stepped off the plane 10 days ago.

It was clear from day one that 'Beardo-mania' had hit town and Canadian fans and several locals out meeting the plane were all wearing fake beards in tribute to Canada's Beardos –

Adam Kleeberger, Hubert Buydens and Jebb Sinclair.

"It's a neat thing, there are more important things to focus on, but it's neat to have a bit of a cult following," Kleeberger said from behind a face full of fur.

Part of the reason for the increase in facial-fluff in Napier is some entrepreneurial salesmanship from local Denis O’Reilly.

While shopping in a discount shop in the wider-district he saw the ginger beards and promptly bought out the entire stock and placed them for sale in the Waiohiki Creative Arts Village shop front in the centre of Napier.
 

A growing trend

The shop is conveniently nestled between a major bank and a Brazilian waxing salon and laser tattoo removalist. By the time a couple of clients had been de-fuzzed and de-inked the ginger beards had sold-out.

"It's grown into something bigger than any of us expected," Sinclair said. "With the humble beginnings of the beard of just being lazy, it wasn't supposed to be anything like this.

“It just happens that the three of us are playing well along with the whole team. Obviously no one wants to support a gimmick unless the team or the players are doing a good job."

Crowley has been pleased with how his side have performed on the field in their opening two matches, but he’s also been proud of the way his New Zealand countrymen and women have been supporting the RWC 2011.

"It's been outstanding," Crowley said. "These are guys that will do anything to play rugby and have made massive sacrifices to be here and for them to get a bit of adulation is good for them.

“It's really showed them the passion that surrounds rugby."

One thing fans will not be pleased to hear is that Kleeberger has declared he will be getting rid of the facial fur.

He has not set a date yet, but he says he would like it to be for charity when he returns to Canada.