I went to see the Warratahs play the Sharks at Aussie Stadium on Saturday and I’m a worried man. These Warratahs are really, you know, quite good. Yes I know they’ve had Indian summers before, in fact just about every year before, but this team looks the real McCoy.
The backs are terrific and Matt Rogers, now over his early fumbles, is starting to look like a rugby genius. But the Tahs have always had good backs – or so their fans tell me. The buzz this year is they have now got some “tall timber” up front. They win the odd lineout and their rolling mauls are working a treat.
I’m worried and it looks to me as if it’s down to the Blues to stop them. It’ll be interesting to watch whether the rest of the country can get behind Auckland when push comes to shove.
Intense regional rivalry is pretty common over here too. Back in late 2002 when I was in Queensland there was a lot of support for the Warriors after the locals felt the Broncos had been cheated out of the league finals.
Anyway, I was supporting the Cats strongly, much to the confusion of those around me. It’s tough being a Cats supporter.
Like Russell I have to mention those Black Caps. For a few hours yesterday they were ranked third in the world in the one-day game by the ICC, recovering from seventh or eighth on the back of this series. Then Aussie lost to Sri Lanka and we were back in fourth. Still, we have a game in hand and can get back up with a fifth win on the trot!. Go you good things!
I shouldn’t do that really – it’s the kiss of death.
But this is a great team with the emphasis on “team”. And it’s great to see Cairns on the comeback as well. Is Bond getting fit again? I can’t find out from here so someone email me!
I’ve had a series of visitors of late so I’m acting like a tour-guide: Friday morning on Bondi Beach, lunch in Newtown and a big night out; a run from Bronte to Coogee and back, a sunny lunch and a bottle of wine in the micro-Italian neighbourhood of Stanley Street. Off to the rugger.
Can’t complain really. Well, I could, but nobody would listen.
One who has been complaining is the Girlie cos nothing’s getting done around the house. She was home all day Saturday doing homework and waiting for me to arrive back with some food. Any food. When I told her I’d be late, like about midnight, she was not a happy camper.
I got the F-word! Whoooooeee!
Oscars Update, 3.45 NZ time
There's some real trans-tasman sledging going on here with live Oscar coverage.