"You know, football fans love their teams while rugby fans just love the game!"
My son, Connor, said this to me and he is 100% RIGHT!!! Yes, we all have our favorite teams but it is our love of the game that unites us!
I am counting down to the start of rugby season and couldn't be more excited!! To say this past football season was a dissapointment would be a HUGE understatement. Why was it so bad? One word - INJURIES!! I was going to put in a list of season ending injuries from 2013 but...
As of Sept 25, 2013 there were 26. The first regular season game was played on Sept 5!!!! Are you kidding me?!? Nope. It just got worse and worse from there. No team was spared from this either!
Yes, injuries happen in rugby, too! But you don't see teams losing 11 starters in the first five weeks!! No, for me... It's all about RUGBY!!!! I have closed the book on football and accepted and embraced my love of rugby!!
So.... February 15 is coming quickly!!! Are you ready?!? Wait... You don't know what happens on the 15th? Let me prepare you!!!
First we have the fantastic Adriaan Strauss leading everyone's (second) favorite team the Cheetahs against the Lions!!
I still think of the late Chris Farley every time I see him but... He's such an awesome player!! And Willie LaRoux?!? Hello!!!!
Yeah, I'm pulling for the Cheetahs in this one!!! Not sure why everyone (including me!) has such a soft-spot for the Cheetahs but, there it is! Maybe it's because they always play with such heart?
Next... We have a problem. It's the Sharks vs the Bulls. Ugh!!! Why "ugh!" you ask? Well....
The fabulous Bismarck DuPlessis is leading my Sharks!! Yes!! He was named Captain!! WooHoo!! Congrats!!!
But the Bulls are being led by another one of my favorites! Pierre Spies!!! Yes!! He's back!! So excited!!
Dang. This is a problem and clearly defines that "love of the game" that I was talking about. I want to see Spies have a great game and do well but... It's the Sharks. They're my team. I am a bit conflicted. Honestly, I will probably be cheering on my Sharks AND hoping this Spies has a successful return after his injury. That's ok, isn't it? Even if it's not... That's just the way it has to be!
Are you seeing my problem here? I LOVE the game and I LOVE the players!!! Sometimes my favorite players are on opposite teams - this makes me sad and a bit conflicted. Sometimes, my favorite players are together on the Springboks squad and my little world is one of happiness and joy!!! But no matter what, it's rugby! It's 80 minutes (sometimes a little more!) of excitement, anxiety, thrills, displays of strength and endurance.... It is a Saturday to look forward to each week!!!
Just for fun, check your TV listings for Saturday Feb 15, 2014!!! I believe I will be watching channel 420 (on satellite) at about 8:30 in the morning to catch the Cheetahs and then at 12:30 for (WOO HOO!!) the Sharks vs Bulls. IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR RUGBY!!!
** UPDATE** - just saw this. It makes the Bulls/Sharks match even MORE stressful for me!!
Yes, the great Matfield is BACK!!!! Ugh... What a conflict but... Wow!! What an exciting match!! I am wishing him the best and hoping he does well but... Go Sharks!!
Saw this and thought I would share. It made me laugh!!
