Super 14 Smackdown

(karen)


We finally fulfilled our dreams of going to see a rugby game, and we're not talking lame Aussie Rules. This is the Super 14. It was the last home game of the season for the Sydney Waratahs. Kind of funny isn't it, that a sport of such bloodlust would chose a dainty flower for their mascot? Anyway, the Waratahs were playing their arch rival Hurricanes from Wellington, New Zealand. All across the city people were drawn by the thousands to the bright lights of Sydney Stadium. You could feel the electricity in the air. We had our faces painted just outside before finding our seats down by the field. Go Tahs go!


Although our seats were not the greatest, most of the action stayed down at our end so we had nice views when they scored their trys (a try is like a touchdown for you Yanks).


I wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but that's about par when it comes to me and spectator sports. I cheered every time the players hurled their muscle bound bodies over the goal line, regardless of the team. My philosophy is that if you root for both sides you'll never go home upset. I'm not sure my fellow spectators would agree with me, however. I have a feeling most of them were pretty upset that their beloved Waratahs couldn't bring their game together at the end and wound up loosing to the visiting Hurricanes by 5 points.


At the end of the game there was an explosion of yellow and black as hundreds of ex-pat Kiwis in the crowd stood to cheer for the victorious Hurricanes. And I cheered too, with my Waratah face paint, because I love to go home happy. It was a great night.