Hayley Westenra sings "God Defend New Zealand"

In something of a beauty and the beast moment, New Zealand's world acclaimed teen aged singer Hayley Westenra took the spotlight at a rugby test this morning, quite magnificently singing "God Defend New Zealand" before a match played between New Zealand's world acclaimed All Blacks and the French Les Blues at the Stade de France, Paris. Her pure, angelic voice is really something to behold, even if not a New Zealander blinded by teary national pride, and a from-heaven-to-hell counterpoint to the 80 minutes of brutality interspersed with touches of sublime skill that followed it definitely was.

For the record, New Zealand won the game 23-11, and soulful singing was the winner on the day.