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Opinion
I’m so confused. When it comes to my thoughts and allegiances for the upcoming Rugby World Cup final, who do I want to win. Umm… need to win?
That old expression of needing ‘skin in the game’ resonates.
I want to be immersed in the game. This is necessary to really enjoy the final, which should be epic.
Thus, do I want England or South Africa to win?
I’m Aussie born and bred, so you would think I’d be all about ‘anyone but England!’ But I have a slight dilemma, as I’m married to an English type.
Further, she’s not just English but she’s from Yorkshire.
Likewise, I’ve got other family ties which are also conflicting, and are giving me much confusion in my decision making come who to root for.
My father was born in East Africa, in a place then called Tanganyika – now called Tanzania.
My grandfather was an Irish doctor commissioned by the British to go forth into the colonies and bring medicine. My grandmother was English-South African. Her father was English but she was born and raised in South Africa.
My father’s first words were in Swahili (much to the chagrin of my grandmother).
At the age of eight, my father and grandparents moved to South Africa and settled in the Port Elizabeth area, where my Dad grew up and went to school until coming to Aussie where he married my Mum.
My mother came from rural Aussie convict stock which became somewhat ironic, as later, some would say she was of rural royalty.
Her grandfather was knighted by our present Queen – yep, old Lizzie herself – for services to the wool industry.
Can ewes now sense my ever-growing sense of confusion?
Hence I thought it good to share this confusion – here at The Roar, my other family – in the hope it could be cathartic. Helpful. At the very least an attempt to defuse my confusion.
Funnily enough, it’s only further confused me more, so it’s time for a little lie down and a Bex.
So good luck, especially if your team’s not playing in the final and who you’re going to root for – because root you must!
You could say both teams are winners really. Yeah, that’ll do. Both are winners already… easy as Campese (and he certainly knew a thing or two about the art of confusion).
C’arn the Wallabies… bugger, that honestly just slipped out.
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.