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Written by Dion
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Monday, 01 October 2007 |
Finally a so called minnow has downed
one of the bigger guns. This tournament so far has really been about the heroics
of the minnows and in many cases, they had threatened to upstage their more
fancied rivals. Yesterday that promised was eventually realised. Thank goodness
it was Wales rather than ourselves.
A quick take on the game by a neutral and that was who to support as a Bok
fan, knowing the winner plays us in the quarter. I thought long and hard before
and during the game and the answer was that it didn't matter who we meet. If we
cant get past either Wales or Fiji, then we really wouldn't deserve to go any
further. Personally, I think I would have preferred Wales simply for the less
physicality they will bring.
But yesterday I did what most neutrals do and that
was to cheer the underdog. If I have one criticism for the Pacific island
nations (and I don’t include the north or south island of New Zealand) it is the
penchant for late, high and dangerous tackles and sometimes brainless acts of
foul play which yesterday almost cost Fiji a place in the quarters.
Cant remember the players name who kicked a Welsh player in the guts when
his team was leading 25-3. In his absence, the Welsh came back with some
beautiful tries to eventually take the lead over Fiji. A brainless piece of play
that nearly shattered the Fijian dream.
I can not emphasise enough how needless I find this on the rugby field,
that I almost switched allegiance right there on the spot and came close to
throwing my cheers behind the Welsh. I love the tough stuff, the rough and
rugger, even the odd handbag between two guys squaring off, the big bone
crunching, blood pounding hits…but outright low blows such as kneeing guys in
the guts, tripping players, late head hunts….throw the book at these guys, if
not the ref then your own coaching team.
Going back to Fiji’s spectacular win, all the quality games produced in
this world cup have come when southern hemisphere teams have been in action.
This has kept the tournament alive. Something is badly amiss with the northern
hemisphere giants. The rugby produced by likes of England, Scotland, Wales and
Ireland is likely to lose support rather than gain spectator value. A northern
hemisphere world cup would be more boring than playing bridge with my
grandmother on a Saturday night.
Southern hemisphere sides, take a bow.
Okay, so the Bokke play Fiji in the quarters. I am inclined to say “Not
another island nation AGAIN”. If we win the damn trophy, we can boast being the
only side to have taken on all three of these bloody hard, never know when to
lie down, lethal hitters from the Pacific island countries. After all the bone
crunching hits from Tonga, Samoa and soon Fiji, who could deny us our just dues
if we win the tourney. Suddenly I am starting to envy the All Blacks run against
(in all likelihood) France, Ozzie and assuming ourselves. At least they escaped
these hard buggers east of their island.
Lastly, the emotion at the end of the day was something else. Watching
grown men cry from both sides. Tears of despair and shattered dreams of the
Welsh, and the Fijian tough buggers also reaching for the tissue box for the
realisation of their dream. This was good stuff, high drama… soap opera moments
even watching from the telly.
And my wife just can’t get it why I love rugby. Excellent stuff, Fiji. See
you in the quarters
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