So it's understandable that Robbie Deans has a strong antenna for the emotions at play in the city on the eve of the World Cup.
Australia's first game against Italy was to have been played at AMI Stadium on Sunday before February's earthquake devastated the city.
"I'm certainly disappointed for the people of Canterbury,'' he said yesterday.
"It's been a very tough pill for them to swallow. The earth is still moving, and the challenges still go on there and will last a long time.
"The place will never be the same.''
Raised in the province, educated in the city, Deans knows well the passion for the game in historically one of the country's most successful rugby provinces.
"It will be a tough time for them seeing the rest of the country getting access to rugby that they're not having.''
Australia are spending some time in Christchurch during the tournament; how much support Deans can inspire for the Wallabies is a moot point.
"I suspect after last weekend [the Australian win over the All Blacks in Brisbane] that the lines may be drawn,'' he said.