My Dad is a huge football fan. I remember when I was a wee lass he would spend hours watching and playing football. He didn't have much time for watching other sports but would make an exception when the All Blacks (NZ's international rugby team) were playing. Back in those days the All Blacks were a force to be reckoned with and would leave the opposition quaking in their boots. How things change.
I moved to NZ with my family when I was 15. Coming from England, which has a huge football following to NZ, which has a passion for rugby, was quite a change for me. I remember I would often ask my boyfriend if he would like to go out on the weekend and he would stare at me like I was mad and reply, "But the ruggers is on." Or I would phone him and he would say, "I'll have to call you back, the rugby is on." As you can imagine, rugby wasn't very popular with me.
Some considerable time later, hubby, G and a friend went to watch Auckland play a rugby match. I kept the telly on just in case I saw them in the crowd. Before the game started, there was an interview with one of the players - Carlos Spencer. So began my obsession with Carlos, or should I say, rugby, hehe. I began watching all the Auckland games and was surprised to realise how much I enjoyed the actual match (not just the perving), once I learned more about the rules.
I've been to several matches over the years and cheer on the Auckland teams and the All Blacks religiously. I have met (stalked - see pics above) many of the players. I've been known to get out of bed after four hours sleep and watch a rugby test before heading off to work. When NZ were knocked out of the last World Cup, I actually wept (sad but true).
I've been noticing a change over the past few years. It seems that since the game has turned professional (which means the top players are paid), our once formidable All Blacks have become an average team. New Zealand produces outstanding talent (in my opinion) only to head off overseas where the big bucks are. You can't blame them as they have to earn a living and New Zealand cannot possibly compete financially with the likes of many other countries.
Gone are the days when I could name the team, the position they were playing in and the province they represented. I watched a game on Saturday night and didn't recognise half the players and couldn't understand why some players were put in positions they weren't suited to.
I remember many years ago, Buck Shelford (former All Black legend), being asked what he thought of rugby turning professional. He replied that it would be the end of NZ rugby as we knew it. At the time I just thought it was sour grapes because he'd never been paid to play but now I agree with him.
I must say, I really enjoyed Saturday's game and I will continue to cheer on my boys with the usual gusto. I'll also be keeping an eye on our Women's rugby team. If memory serves, they've only lost one game in the last decade. Better watch your backs boys.
P.S. Dear Missy, well you did ask how the boys were doing. LOL!
