Dear Doc. You know that stress test we spoke about before I came away? Not necessary now thanks. I was at the Wallaby v Scotland RWC quarter final. And survived………
But first things first….
I was back in London after a week in Iceland. They don’t play rugby there but that is no reason not to put it on your bucket list. Apparently their National soccer team has qualified for the European Cup (or something). Go Iceland!
QF1-South Africa v Wales
Not sure if the Saffas in town were hungover, nervous or jet lagged. Or maybe all three…… But they were certainly quiet……. until we got to the game. It was really hard to tell who had the best of the crowd.
The cheer after the South African anthem was deafening, but then the Welsh were in fine voice as well. I did notice that the service personnel responsible for holding the banners pre game have reverted to non-verbal commands. Don’t blame them. Even the ref’s communications were hard to hear at times. The “Aaaawwwwww” when the Welsh passed their first break over the touch line was something to behold.
I must say though, the flies must have been bad. Every time Biggar had a kick he was jiggling around and swatting like the was no tomorrow. But then again it may have been his after-shave as Pollard didn’t seem to have to many problems.
Wayne Barnes has apparently been taking lessons in banter from Nigel. Comment heard late in the game – “Why don’t you play instead of shouting.” Well said. Well said.
QF4 -Australia v Scotland
Hands up who expected that? Yep, me neither.
WHAT. A. GAME. And not in a good way………..
You know how I said I would be grey by the time I got home? Check that. I will have no hair left to go grey!
I had this uncomfortable feeling all day that perhaps this game was not going to be as easy as some expected. I ended up being surrounded by Scottish supporters and I have decided I could be Scottish. A shot each time they score has to make things look better.1
The home nations sure can sing. I don’t know if the stadium was full of ‘real’ Scotsmen or the disappointed English fans had decided to support their northern neighbours, but hell the thousand or so Wallaby fans really couldn’t get a hearing.
And we did try.
Exhibit 1 – scratchy voice.
The first half seemed to just fly by. The second 40 just added to my premature aging and ulcers but by the end I actually felt a little sorry for the Scotts.
Congrats have to go to Gits & Squeak on their 100th Wallaby caps. Also to Drew for becoming the highest Australian World Cup try scorer. He now has another two games (fingers crossed) to hit the alk time record.
So, now I sit here, 10:40pm. And I am not sure I want to go to sleep. Just incase the last kick by Foley was all a dream……..
