Here I sit on a train to Glasgow. Well, it was a good idea at the time of booking…… prior to the quarters…….. But let’s talk about last night. How are we all feeling now?
Don’t know about the rest of you but I was a jangle of nerves until half time. And only just a little less jangled during the second half.
I got the train out to Twickenham early today. Had a beer at the Cabbage Patch Pub (bucket list item ticked) and had a leisurely wander up to the stadium.
There was a much more of a party atmosphere in the streets around the stadium today as compared to yesterday. I am begining to think that this is the effect of the Argentina fans. Bands. Dancing. Singing. We had it all. Even got in an impromptu rehersal of the anthems by the choir as they were waiting to enter the ground.
The walk from the pub to the stadium is a great one. There were braais, hot dogs, merchandise, drinks (both soft and hard), and if you were brave enough to attempt a pork roll crawl you wouldn’t need to eat till the final. As an aside, I do like crackling. (Dear pig breeders world wide, more skin. That is all.)
There were a lot, and I mean a LOT, of Pumas support. Had something to do with all the All Blacks supporters who were wearing blue and white. From the horse’s mouths however, they believed that we are the scarier prospect for next week. I managed to deafen a good half a dozen though. (Damn silly place to sit if you ask me.)
The were patches through the game where the crowd was very quiet. Not just when kicks were to be taken. Usually when the Wallabies had the upper hand. I tried my best to fill the void but seriously there has to be an easy chant us Aussies can do that everyone will join in. Hopefully with the old foe appearing next week
Next week is going to be good. Scary, but good……….
Now to the other game of the weekend. (Yes, I was at both.)
It was really hard to tell which side had the most of the crowd. Black and dark green are difficult to distinguish from any distance when mixed together. There was also a bunch of people who may or may not have sung both anthems and cheered along with both chants…… Not naming names or pointing fingers.
My Christmas wish from Santa was that this was a really hard game so which ever side appeared next week in which ever game they would be tied and sporting a few bumps and bruises. It was close and it remains to be seen as to which of the finals contenders will pull up the best.
Since we are working back through the weekend – I also went to the ARU function of Friday night. A good time was had by all I am sure. (Don’t worry Mr Freier I have deleted the photos… for my own sake if not for yours)
A few of the boys turned up for a little while and Drew spilled the beans on what Sharpie said at the jersey presentation.
“Don’t just exist in the jersey. Make sure you do something in it.”
Words we could all live by. The man is a legend.
