Eyes of rugby world on London

Twickenham is bracing itself for an influx of more than 82 000 people at rush hour this evening.

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Twickenham is bracing itself for an influx of more than 82 000 people at rush hour this evening. Schools in the area are closing at midday, and the main arterial roads linking Twickenham to London will be closed to private vehicles.

At Twickenham Station, trains will be delivering supporters in their thousands to the area.

Alauddin Abdullah owns the ABC News store at the station, selling newspapers, snacks and cold drinks. He trucked in extra stock yesterday in preparation for his busiest day of trade yet.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Abdullah said. “They’re saying 82 000 – the stadium is packed. My view is more than 100 000 people in the area, with all the pubs. Everybody comes for the enjoyment of the World Cup start.”

He will be opening his store from 5am, and trading all the way through until 2am the next morning. With a break of only three hours, he’ll be opening again at 5am.

“It’s going to affect me because it’s good timing and good business,” Abdullah said. “I think it’ll be better than other rugby days, so we’ve prepared. Fingers crossed.”

He may not be a rugby supporter himself, but Abdullah said the big matches bring a fantastic energy to the area.

“This area is cordoned off by midday, no traffic until midnight or 1am, so there’s only walking in the street,” he said.

“It’ll be nice – all the food stalls in the area outside the houses, parties going on. That’s the best thing about it.”

For locals, the best way to survive the rugby crowds is to embrace them. Robin Perkins has lived across the road from Twickenham Stadium for 30 years.

“We’ve seen rugby grow – it used to be a little tin shack over there, and now it’s massive,” he said. “It’s good for the community, it brings the money in.”

Perkins is a massive rugby fan, and loves being close to the action – but he knows how to plan ahead for the madness.

“You plan your day out, and you don’t bother going out in a car,” he said.

“You stay in, make sure you’ve got all your provisions.”

He said he had never had any trouble with rowdy rugby fans – aside from a few of them using his fence for a pitstop on the way from the pub.

“They’re a friendly bunch, rugby supporters – win or lose,” Perkins said. “Not like the football lot.”

With supporters pouring into Twickenham in their thousands for the opening match tonight, his driveway has become hot property.

Strangers approached him to use his driveway as a pre-game spot – and in the spirit of rugby fandom, Perkins agreed.

“I’ve got people selling shirts from a stall in my driveway,” he said.

“And some people asked if they could use this spot to celebrate before going into the game, so they’ll be setting up a tent here.

“They’ll give us a few beers for it and some food, save us cooking.”

Tonight, Perkins will be in his home, listening to the music and cheering from the stadium.

“Twickenham is a fantastic place. Twickenham is rugby.” - Cape Argus