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.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Hey Chook, I sympathize. Truly. Honestly. Dad was born in Wilno when it was a Polish city. He said he was a Pole. But his last name is of Lithuanian origin. Vilnius (the Wilno of old) is now the capital of Lithuania. My mom was born in the British Hospital of Buenos Aires. Both my grandparents came from England to Argentina. Ironically, they came to work in a farm in the Malvinas Islands (called Falklands by the inhabitants). From there they moved to a farm in Patagonia and then to Buenos Aires. I was born and grew up in Buenos Aires. On my mom’s side, depending on the time of the year, they would have told you they were English or Welsh. There is a small town in the English side of the border with Wales, just a few miles from the border, called Clutton, like my grandad’s family name. There are still some Cluttons living there, probably distant cousins. Not totally sure where granny was born. My missus has 200 years of family living in America. Came right after the Plymouth. But she discovered she has Welsh blood and even found the family castle somewhere in North Wales. Interestingly, not far from Clutton! I joke that we are related. Should I have preferred the English to win given the Pumas were not there? My mom and two brothers live in Oz, two in Sydney one in Port Stephens. No Wallabies to root for. In 1978 I went to England for a few months to “learn” English and ended up playing two matches for the C side and B side of a small club called New Milton and District, near Bournemouth. But I couldn’t root for England. There is something about English rugby fans that irritates me. I am very bothered by their Swing Low singing. Very! Their behavior…. Even in Tokyo, the Irish and Welsh fans were much friendlier to talk to than the English. Even when I wasn’t wearing a Pumas jersey. But, as a Piazzolla tango, the South pulls me. I was all in for South Africa. The second semifinal was hard. The “Welsh blood” pulled. I was caught in no man’s land. Thanks for your nice essay. I enjoyed it. Better late than never. Don’t tell me your missus name is Vera. Or behaves like her.
robel
Roar Pro
If Eng win they'll have both the cricket and rugby world cups, they'll be unbearable. If the SA win they'll have 3 wins, same as the Kiwis, i.e. one more than us Ozies, also not a good thing. But by the same reasoning if Eng win they'll have won 2, same as us, also something I'm not keen to be reminded of. None of the above helps, I'm afraid, but perhaps a long game strategy would be better, something about happy wifes leading to happy lives.
Fred
Guest
Surely your better half, if they're from Yorkshire, would be more into rugby league?
RobC
Roar Guru
pssst Muzzo-man... VPN + Kayo.com . but you will need 4G or 3G (if no wifi)! :D Worst case, move to Indonesia hahaha
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
The only thing I find living in & around the tropics, RobC, especially in the Top End, is the bad lack of, being at & watching rugby. Iv'e just spent a couple of weeks in Darwin, & being the start of the wet season, with those monsoonal rains, it's still a great place. But rugby is the issue!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Is it OK to call you 'chicken' Chook?
RobC
Roar Guru
Put your money on Yorkshires team?
RobC
Roar Guru
Chilli peppaa
BledisloeAsUsual
Guest
Support the Boks. Main reason I can’t support England this weekend is, you’ll never hear the end of it if they win. Boks you might see a few jerseys at the shops, English you have an avalanche of articles on the Guardian and in the media, English relatives over exaggerating the win, never accepting a loss for years without an extended disclaimer. And they are very loud. Appreciate the passion, but a bit of quiet please. Maybe you could just quietly support the Boks on the inside for the sake of peace and a better net result
Harry Jones
Expert
Sure! Make money!!!!!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Chook...yes I understand. My girl is from Manchester!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Yep, Chook I’m sure if we walked up George St together people would surely take us for twins! :silly: :happy:
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Will Harry grin with Chook on Saturday ?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I think I can pretty well assure you Homer, those days are well past. I mean to say Machooka is close to eighty ... or thereabouts :happy: :happy:
Harry Jones
Expert
Twins ...
Homer Gain
Guest
You are already blessed by your Tyke connection. I assume you have plans in place to get your wife to the Broad Acres before the arrival of any baby Machookas?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah buddy... it's not like a major problem to have eh? Could be worse... like being forced to walk the dogs or something :laughing:
Machooka
Roar Guru
So wise, Joshua... well beyond your years! :happy:
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks all the same, Ralph... drop a Bex buddy :thumbup:
Machooka
Roar Guru
'Well mate I can't say go with your roots, as It is a hard one...' Ffs Muzzo... I ain't touching that one :laughing: