Patrick Mahar in France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Photo: Supplied / Patrick Mahar
Attending a Rugby World Cup overseas is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most, but for New Zealander Patrick Mahar it was six in a row and counting.
Beginning in Australia in 2003, Mahar has travelled to France 2007, Auckland 2011, England 2015, Japan 2019 and has just ticked off number six with an appearance at France 2023.
On his way to Paris, the sports fanatic took it one step further and went to two world cups in one trip, taking an 8000 kilometre detour to India for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators. Final attendance for the match was 45,000 which left fans disappointed by the largely empty stadium.
Mahar said he was more than happy with the turn out.
"I probably wouldn't have survived if it was a full crowd, like the fans are ridiculous. I was getting mobbed. I've got amazing videos, family were sharing a video of me on TV.
"It was amazing and really cool just to break up the trip to Paris."
The crowd is having fun at the Narendra Modi Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Tk7Rrliilj
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 5, 2023
Mahar's Rugby World Cup tradition began back in 2003 in Australia.
"That's what really got me the bug. I was working in Perth WA at the time, backpacking.
"I actually didn't watch the All Blacks in that year, I watched England who ended up winning it," Mahar said.
In 2007 he stepped up his game and was in the stands for every All Blacks match in France, including the quarter-final loss which was held in Cardiff.
The highlight of the trip was the next day, he said.
"Everyone ... like everyone Kiwi bailed within the morning. I stayed on and there was a few of us left and we went to the 'walkabout' in Cardiff and the All Blacks were in there.
"We had just watched Fiji nearly beat South Africa and I got to sit across the table from Jerry Collins.
"I'm a Hurricanes man through and through so I got to just sit and talk with Jerry Collins.
"That was one of my coolest experiences, even though it was the biggest disappointment getting knocked out."
Patrick Mahar with Jerry Collins. Photo: Supplied / Patrick Mahar
"But the French were amazing. The fans were amazing. I've still got 'Allez Les Bleus' vibrating in my brain from that night."
In 2011, Mahar was still working overseas but made sure to come back home to New Zealand to join in on the Rugby World Cup festivities on home soil.
"I ended up going to every All Black game in New Zealand, all the finals at Eden Park and really shared the moment with a lot of my family.
"I ended up taking my father to the final which was literally the best experience ever. Edge of your seat moment ... you hear that saying and it was literally that."
Patrick Mahar and friends at Eden Park. Photo: Supplied / Patrick Mahar
He continued the tradition in 2015 by heading to the World Cup finals in England.
Maher said that the trash talk this week from the men in green was reminiscent of the same fixture four years ago in Japan.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France is Mahar's shortest stint over the past six tournaments, only attending the quarter-finals weekend.
When asked which World Cup has been his favourite he said he could not choose just one.
"It's moments. That moment sitting with Jerry Collins after they lost and to hear from them, that was incredible. To see how much it meant to them.
"The next moment, the New Zealand World Cup all together. Just how well we did it."
Patrick Mahar in Japan. Photo: Supplied / Patrick Mahar
After the final in 2011, Mahar went to Danny Doolans in Auckland and partied with the French rugby team who had just been beaten by the All Blacks.
"[In] 2015, just that final. That Beauden Barrett try at the end, running away right in front of me, I was behind the posts for that.
"Yeah it's moments. And that's why I'm here. I'm addicted, it's brilliant."
For those looking to follow in Mahar's footsteps, he shared some of his top tips. His best advice was to go solo but to book through a tour and wear an All Blacks jersey or a Silver Fern as people will always talk to you.
"Avoid all the negativity around the team selections, just enjoy the moment. Embrace the other nationalities.
"Get out there and enjoy it and soak up the cultural experience of what a World Cup is."
Patrick Mahar at Danny Doolans. Photo: Supplied / Patrick Mahar
