Nationalism has got a bad reputation, appealing in many cases to racists and those on the far right in politics. But despite the use of national flags to provoke fear and hatred, there are instances where a sense of national pride is appropriate and celebrated.
One such occasion occurred in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff this afternoon. Welsh Rugby has gone through a tough time in the last couple of years, so few people would have expected Wales to beat New Zealand, a nation they last beat in 1953. Against all the odds, Wales played brilliant attacking rugby and found themselves 7 points ahead with 15 minutes to go. The All Blacks threw everything at a solid Welsh defence, and even when they got over the Welsh try line, they were held up (three times.)
I am so proud to have had a Welsh mother. She was not a rugby fan, but in her part of South Wales near Ammanford in Dyfed, they will be drinking the health of the whole team for restoring a sense of national pride by playing fantastic rugby.
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