The Brumbies will do it for Shawn
Roar Pro
By Eljay, 14 May 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, Chiefs, Rugby Union, Shawn Mackay, Super Rugby
The Brumbies to win the Super 14. There, I’ve said it. Of course, I am insane, I agree with you. We humans are notorious for not being able to predict the future. Never have, never will.
But we’re good at understanding the past – I almost wrote ‘predicting’ but that’s surely a contradiction of terms – because there’s nothing we can do about it.
The past is set in hardened kauri resin: the Poms winning the 2003 RWC, the Jaapies winning it in 2007. These are painful historical rugby facts.
With a bit of luck, a one-eyed referee on crutches, and a couple of half-decent teams, we could have four Bills sitting smugly on the ARU shelf by now.
Conversely, humans are pretty good at dreaming about the future. The fact is, I have lived in the future most of my life. I am an expert dreamer.
It’s often a much nicer place than the here-and-now. It does not matter that I am usually proved wrong, until that moment I have luxuriated in amazing, golden rugby fantasies where my team always wins.
As I tap out these words, I am dreaming right now of the Brumbies winning the 2009 Super 14. It’s transformed from a feeling in my gut to a vision in my mind.
Imagine it: the brave Brumbies winning by a whisker and a bonus point against the Chiefs next Saturday. And then, impossibly, into the Super 14 finals.
Oh my God! How Green Bay Packers. How Richard ‘Felix” Larkin.
Of course, their victory may have a lot, if not everything, to do with the death of their own Shawn McKay. I have no doubt that grief in bereavement is actually a form of anger. In this case, anger at a beloved team mate being inexplicably ripped away from them.
I can think of no greater galvanising effect upon a team than grievous anger at the loss of one of their own. Hurling themselves into mauls; smashing into tackles; and venting their pain as they do. Shawn McKay’s tragic death has transformed the Brumbies. There’s no doubt about that.
If they beat the Chiefs on Saturday, a seemingly impossible task, I don’t have any doubt the Brumbies will go all the way to claim the title.
Quite simply, they will do it for Shawn.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (172)
- Brumbies 2012: New coach, new players, new attitude (128)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (61)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (27)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (18)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
- Brumbies, Chiefs, Rugby Union, Shawn Mackay, Super Rugby
Craig said | May 14th 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
As a Brumbies man I would love it but I think it will be more Steve Bradbury than Green Bay Packers!!!
Eljay said | May 14th 2009 @ 7:56am | Report comment
PS: *None of you, except Spiro, Felix’s family and me, may know who he is, or was. But one amazing day at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, Felix beat Darryl McEvedy, surely one of the most gifted schoolboy middle distance runners in New Zealand at the time, over a mile by running from the front and by sheer guts and inhuman determination, staying there. It nearly killed him – but to the cheers of the entire school, he won. His extraordinary victory converted me to ‘underdogism’ for the rest of my life. The sheer joy, admiration and unlikelihood of it taught me an indelible lesson: there was far more satisfaction in an underdog winning than the odds-on victory of a red hot favourite. It was never sheeted home better when the ‘useless’ Wallabies thrashed the All Blacks 20-5 at Athletic Park, Wellington, in 1964. I was one of 40,000 Kiwis who stood and applauded the Wallabies as they left the field on that day. We had seen from the Wallabies rugby played as never before. It was glorious and sublime.
Mark said | May 14th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Ejay, They have to beat the form team of the comp first with one of the best forward packs, Dan Carters replacement running the show, & this seasons AB back 3 – no chance !
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | May 14th 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
As A Brumbies man as well, I hope you are right……..but it will be very tough.
hemjay said | May 14th 2009 @ 4:45pm | Report comment
There is no chance in hell,
This Chiefs side will supply a large chunk of the ABs and Junior All Blacks come the June tests.
This is one fight to far for the Brumbies, their last wo matches have been far from ithe ideal buildup. Honestly how much can you take out of wins over teams fielding 3rd and 4th string line ups. The chiefs had a huge battle last week against the Canes and it should set them up well to take the Brumbies by the scruff of the neck and remind them how to play rugby against quality opposition. Not to mention a sold out Waikato Stadium while it may have been a happy hunting ground in the past it has taken on a new Aura as this team has got better and better after a slow start. Once within the Pallisades of Waikato Stadium only then will the Brumbies realise what a monumental task they have at hand.
I’m picking the Chiefs by at least 15pts stirling will get concussed and smith will go missing in action.
Frank O'Keeffe said | May 14th 2009 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
Smart money is on the Cheifs, but how much would it suck if the Brumbies had another one of their great second halfs, got a bonus point, overtook the Cheifs and instead of the Cheifs we have the Crusader’s in the finals as well?
If the Crusaders somehow make it and the Cheifs don’t, I won’t be happy. The Cheifs have provided me the most enjoyment all season, they deserve their fairytale ending.
I have no idea why, but I’m getting this feeling in my stomach that somehow the Cheifs will stumble and the Brumbies will beat them. After so many years of disappointments, nothing would rip the heart out of the Cheifs like not making the semis this season.
Clarke said | May 14th 2009 @ 11:01pm | Report comment
Go Brumbies!!
Mark said | May 15th 2009 @ 8:52am | Report comment
Frank – don’t doubt the Chiefs – they have proven they can close out the tight ones. Given how they’ve struggled over teh years the reward from building such a beautiful attacking team should be inspiration to teams like the Highlanders. They’ve imported the top talent they require (Mils & afew other) & have developed tehir own depth by persevering with players who showed the skills but weren’t quite there (Donald & a few others). Now if they can just get rid of that effing hillbilly chainsaw rubbish……….
As a Crusaders fan I think it would be a travesty if the Chiefs didn’t make it, but whether the Crusaders do or not is not pertinent.
I’ll be backing the Crusaders, Chiefs, & Hurricanes this weekend.