- Written by Mark Simpson
- BBC News NI Correspondent
image source, michael campbell
Michael Campbell moved to New Zealand from Belfast 30 years ago.
New Zealand rugby fans have the attitude that if we’re going to lose, we might as well lose to Ireland.
Many members of the Irish community will be in Christchurch, where he lives, to watch the match on television.
They are part of the Irish diaspora and now call New Zealand home.
It is estimated that around 20% of New Zealand’s population has Irish ancestry.
Why do Irish fans sing Zombie?
“It would be unbelievable if we could beat them, especially since we still have a good chance of winning the World Cup,” Campbell said.
One aspect of the Irish support that piques the interest of New Zealand supporters is the Cranberries’ rendition of the 90s hit ‘Zombie’.
Wellington-based Irish journalist Andrea Vance says she’s been inundated with New Zealanders asking her to explain why Irish fans are so passionate about the song.
“People always ask me about the Zombie song…’Why do Irish fans sing the Zombie song, what does it mean? Can you explain that song?'” she said. said.
“People are going online to check out the video for the song and the history of the song. It’s really interesting.”
Released in September 1994, “Zombie” became the band’s best-selling single, reaching number one in Germany, Australia, and France, and also topping the US alternative rock charts.
Ireland rugby team prepares for Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in Paris
The song was originally adopted by Munster Rugby supporters in Limerick after the death of fellow Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan in 2018.
The catchy chorus made the song even more popular in rugby circles, where it was heard at all four of Ireland’s World Cup matches in France, and clips of the massive performance spread around the world on social media.
The song was reportedly written as a peace song in response to the IRA bomb that killed two boys in Warrington in March 1993.
But like many songs heard at sports stadiums, its popularity is best explained not by its political message but by its catchiness.
Michael Campbell said in relation to the Zombie song that he has heard a lot of discussion about it too.
“If someone asks me and wants to know about this song, I have to give them 40 years of history to make them understand,” he said.
Meanwhile, rugby isn’t the only big event grabbing people’s attention this weekend.
Mr Vance, from County Antrim, said the country’s general election on Saturday was dominating the breaking news.
image source, andrea vance
Andrea Vance said rugby was always a big topic in New Zealand, but Saturday’s election dominated the breaking news.
“It may come as a surprise because Kiwis are a rugby-mad nation, but here in New Zealand we’re overwhelmed with election fever,” she said.
“When it comes to rugby, everyone will be watching here on a Sunday morning.
“The election vote counting is on Saturday night, so some people, myself included, will be sleepy on Sunday morning.”
Vance, national affairs editor for the Post newspaper in the capital, Wellington, is following the election closely.
Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan passed away in 2018
Premier Chris Hipkins faces an uphill battle to retain his position. He replaced Jacinda Ardern as Labor Party leader in January.
Opinion polls suggest the nationalist New Zealand First party will hold the balance of power.
The party was Labor’s coalition partner in 2017, but has said it will not work with Labor again.
So for Michael Campbell, Andrea Vance and many others who count as part of the Irish diaspora in New Zealand, both the election and this weekend’s World Cup quarter-finals will be closely watched. right.
Both outcomes are difficult to predict.