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Here is a list of things I’d rather do than watch another All Blacks versus Wallabies game this year:
– Vacuum
– Wash my car
– Read a book
– Go for a walk
That’s right folks – after the All Blacks’ 16 straight Test wins and domination of Bledisloe Cup encounters since 2003, the appeal of another one-sided match between New Zealand and Australia doesn’t get the juices flowing anymore (although this was written just after the 18-18 draw played out in Brisbane overnight).
It got me thinking: if your team continues to dominate (or conversely disappoint), do you switch off or back them anyway?
I wondered as last night’s match wore on, thinking about a time when George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, John Eales and Matt Burke were prowling in the green and gold, or when the dominating Australian cricket team featuring the likes of the Waugh brothers, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden smashed oppositions like they were club cricketers.
My interest was higher then, because I enjoyed watching great players, and I didn’t even follow Australian sporting teams.
The protagonists therefore surely make the spectacle, more so than the team.
When Mike Harris lined up his first attempt at goal, it felt a bit ho-hum (no disrespect to former New Zealand age-group representative Harris). Where was the excitement of the occasion?
I scouted the Wallabies’ line-up for someone I thought could change the course of the match. Who was the frizzy-haired bloke laughing at the haka? Did it feel like a real Bledisloe contest? I wasn’t feeling the normal buzz.
I have to admit my undying support for the New Zealand cricket team has waned slightly, mainly as some of my favourite players (Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns) drifted out of the team. Does it feel the same watching other players in the same team?
I admit it has been fun to watch the world cricket order change hands over the last five years, but when I watched the likes of Australia and England at the recent World Twenty20, it highlighted the idea that players really do make the spectacle.
I found myself losing interest quickly. I consider myself to have a solid overall handle on most of the major sports, but I could hardly recognise the England team, and I thought Nick Maxwell was a spinner.
The Australian landscape right now is packed with intrigue and sub-plots – the Wallabies are going through a massive learning curve but can only improve, the Australian cricketers are no guaranteed winners and therefore surely interest is back, the Kangaroos have had a close season in their Test matches which again helps and the Socceroos are still relatively competitive in their matches.
Then you have all the club teams, which is another seasonal adventure in itself.
But as a sports fan right now, do you consider yourself a fair-weather or full on supporter? Do you care about who is playing in your team and does this change whether you would watch them or not?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.