Welsh Family History Archive

Images of Wales

The Big Match Atmosphere
Cardiff, Glamorgan

Photography by John Ball - 6th November 1999
(with an Agfa ePhoto307 digital camera)

The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was the venue for the Final of the 1999 Rugby World Cup on 6th November. These photos were taken in the streets of Cardiff before and after the game, in which Australia beat France by 35 points to 12.

Above: Committed Aussie supporters (left) and undecided neutrals (right) wearing
French scarves and Scottish kilts but holding an Aussie banner.

Above: Allez les Bleus - Vive la France!!

Above: Colourful Aussie suppporters.

Above: Crowds wandering down St Mary's Street, 90 minutes before the game.

Above: More crowds.

Above: St Mary's Street 30 minutes before the game. Many of the supporters
were now inside the stadium.

Below: Those without tickets disappeared into one of the many crowded city-centre
pubs to watch the game on TV.

Above and below: After the game, the end of the tournament was marked with a fireworks
display in the Millennium Stadium, viewed here from Cardiff Central Railway Station.

Below: A rooftop Welsh dragon breathes fire in celebration of the Aussie's victory.