Lindy said:
Oh, I hope I wasn't too mean calling them mongrels!!??
Thanks for the info James. I went to the Turf Bar on Saturday night and met some people (you're right about the guys- not too many girls there!!) and watched the game. Most of the people there were Kiwi or South African and were going for the All Blacks.
I've never been to the Peacock, are there many other Rugby followers who go there too? I know you can probably go to any pub and get them to put it on, I just thought it would be good to go somewhere where there's people who actually follow the game so I don't feel so isolated in my growing affection for it!
Someone mentioned the College Lawn in Greville St, I might check that out next time?
Well, I'd be more offended if someone was calling me a neanderthal than a mongrel, personally
I don't know what the go was this weekend as I was off helping celebrate a mate tying the knot. But, its not uncommon to get a lot of foreigners at the Turf Club for Rugby tests. Its a known venue for all of them to congregate, particularly back-packers in/around the spring tours. That can be good and bad though; I'm yet to meet a rugby supporter whom I have considered a bad bloke, so its normally possible to strike up a conversation with any other team's followers. Most New Zealanders and Saffas are pretty knowledgeable about the game too, which can make them good to talk with.
I think that since we're so generally removed from rugby down here in general the current form of the Wallabies has resulted in a general level of apathy. Fair weather fans tend to get behind winners, unfortunately that's the majority of Melbourne as it stands. That could change in the next few years, but it will require the long view if you ask me.
The Peacock's crowd is variable, but there's usually a few others who appreciate the test match there. I go there because its close and I've been playing or following Rugby for nearly 20 years, so I am content to just watch a game by myself or have a yarn with whomever else is watching the game.
I can't say I've ever been to or heard of the College Lawn. Its unfortunately the wrong side of the city for me. But if its a local place which advertises playing rugby, then there should be a few die-hard fans in the area. Its only a hop and a skip from Melbourne Rugby Club, so I would be really surprised if a couple of the blokes from there weren't about.
After a quick check of their website (
http://www.collegelawnhotel.com.au/sport.html) they promote themselves as "Melbourne's Rugby Hotel" so, I'd venture it'd be a good chance there'll be some people there.
