Rugby
Tristan Barclay, ESPN UK Assistant Editor 9y

Stars of London 2012 will inspire All Blacks at Rugby World Cup, says Ali Williams

Rugby World Cup favourites New Zealand will draw inspiration from the stars of London 2012 when they make their bow at the Olympic Stadium, according to former All Black Ali Williams.

New Zealand are set to face Pool C opponents Namibia at the stadium that three years ago played host to such memorable moments as Usain Bolt's Olympic record-breaking 100m victory and Great Britain's golden 'Super Saturday'.

And despite the All Blacks going into the clash at the Olympic Stadium as reigning world champions, 2011 World Cup winner Ali Williams says they will be keen to take on every sliver of extra motivation they can find.

"Kiwis, and especially All Blacks, respect things that have been done before us immensely," Williams told ESPN. "People almost don't think we do but the boys will get a little history lesson about the stadium and Olympics - that's just how the team works.

"We're always looking to find ways to educate and motivate ourselves. Once you think that you're at the top of the tree and everyone else has to catch you, that's your biggest fault."

Now eyeing retirement after two years at French heavyweights Toulon, the 34-year-old Williams will enjoy his swan song as part of the Barbarians side to face Samoa on Saturday in the first rugby match at the Olympic Stadium.

While the stadium's location in the East London district of Stratford is hardly rugby's heartland, Williams insists the game must aspire to conquering such iconic venues if it is to continue to grow as a global sport.

"There are two things to get excited about," Williams said. "One is to actually play and be in the same arena as some greats. Usain Bolt was in there, Mo Farah and the like - they were achieving some amazing things. So for you to share a place where you've achieved things too is pretty special.

"Then World Rugby wants us to grow, people want to see rugby grow more across the world landscape. It already is, but taking games to places that don't have traditional rugby followers is always a good thing.

"You can't put rugby into a stadium that holds 100,000 when you know you're not going to be able to fill it. It's both the atmosphere and the excitement you need to create in the stadium, as well as the match itself.

"It's a balancing act. You can't become McDonald's by just starting a hamburger chain on the side of the road. It's not easy, because you've got to get people over the line and tell them the story, but it all helps and I'm excited to play rugby here for the first time."

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