There were mixed emotions for Winston Reid over the weekend after the Hammers suffered their first away defeat of the season against Watford, but he was left celebrating a historic win for his beloved New Zealand as they won the Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks became the first team to retain the Webb Ellis Cup following an impressive 34-17 victory over Australia at Twickenham.
Reid has good connections with several of the New Zealand players and had nothing but admiration for the way they came together as a team and won the showpiece event to set off huge celebrations back home.
The West Ham United defender is now hoping to cap a memorable few days and make a return to first-team action against Everton this weekend following a spell on the sidelines.
Reid has been ruled out for the last month with a hip injury, but returned to training last week and is now looking to step up his fitness ahead of the game at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Winston, we are sure you are a very happy man after what happened on Saturday in the rugby. How proud were you of the New Zealand team?
WR: “I am really happy with the victory. As a nation rugby is our number one sport and everyone is so proud of what they have done. It is tremendous what they were able to do.
“There are massive parties back home. They have done what no other team has managed to do, winning the trophy two times in a row and it is the first time they have won outside of New Zealand so it is a massive accomplishment. We are very happy with the victory.”
You obviously perform as a professional at the very highest level in sport. Can you tell us what it takes for a team to win such a big tournament?
WR: “There is a lot of dedication and hard work. Since the last victory there is obviously a lot of pressure on them to defend the trophy.
“To go into a new competition four-years later is also a long-time, but they only lost a few games during that period and that shows the level of consistency and the determination that they have to win all those games.”
Have you managed to speak to any of the boys in the New Zealand squad?
WR: “Yes, I wished them congratulations and obviously they are very happy. They are travelling back to New Zealand with the trophy now.
“I guess it was a very enjoyable journey back for them and I am sure it would have been rocking.”
The big question now, can New Zealand make it three Rugby World Cup victories in a row?
WR: “Hopefully we will see. There is another four-years ahead and a lot of hard work to be done over that period but hopefully they will do it.”
You are now back to full fitness. How close are you to pushing for a first-team place again?
WR: “Obviously I have been out with an injury for a while now and it has been causing me a bit of grief but I hope to be back out there very soon.”
After what happened on Saturday, you will be hoping to see the team get straight back on the winning trail against Everton on Saturday.
WR: “To be fair we have not had too many bad performances this season. It was just an off-day against Watford and these things can happen.
“We need to make sure in the next game that we go out and play well.”
A lot of people say this is the strongest squad we have had at West Ham United for a number years. Do you agree with that?
WR: “I think you see that in training every day and everyone makes each other play better.
“Everyone comes in to work hard and be professional. The manager and his team around him have brought that into the Club so it has improved us as players and we are looking to kick on.”