First I become one-eyed... Now I'm supporting an AUSTRALIAN team???

It is fair to say that I no longer know myself.
Well.  I actually know myself very well, BUT if you compare 2011 Emma to 2013 Emma, you will notice two very disturbing facts.

Firstly, I have transitioned from being a staunch Highlanders supporter & staunch disliker of the Crusaders, to a HUGE Crusaders fan, who giggles a little at how badly the Highlanders are doing in the 2013 Super Rugby season.

It's hard to NOT love those Crusaders boys....

The Crusaders thing though - I think it's understandable - it is LOVE afterall, which made me switch allegiances so drastically.  I fell in love with a woman who supports the Crusaders, and slowly but surely her influence had an impact on me, and before  long I was screaming FOR the Crusaders, rather than AGAINST the Crusaders.  I was part of the same one-eyed crowd at games, that I had so often insulted and rolled my eyes at, when I was a firm gold & blue supporter.  In what must have been a hard ask for my father, he accepted that I now cheered for the other side, and has continued to love me, as if something terribly shocking hasn't happened.

THE reason I switched Super Rugby franchise allegiances

But.

There is no way I can tell him about my new rugby love.  My other favourite team.  The other colours I would wear with pride (... if they were sold over here...).  I fear it would be too much for him to handle.

I, Emma, hereby declare that I.... I... Um...

I support the Melbourne Rebels.  Proudly.

Yes.  You heard it here folks. I am now paritcularly fond of an AUSTRALIAN rugby team.

I can't explain how it happened, or why it happened, or even when it happened.  One day I was a Crusaders-only supporter, and the next day I was suddenly a Crusaders-and-Rebels supporter.  Some may argue that it's not that much of a stretch for a New Zealander to support the Rebels, because a lot of the team ARE from New Zealand.  BUT.  At the end of the day, the Rebels are an AUSTRALIAN team.  Australian.  From Australia.  You know.  New Zealand's rugby nemesis.

The Kiwi connection is impossible to ignore

So, why do I seem to love them so?

• Did you see all the man love moments when they beat the Waratahs???  It was spectacular, tear

  

  Also VERY hard to ignore is this rather delicious man
  ex Wellington Lions player, Jason Woodward...

  inducing stuff!
• The excitement and pride they displayed upon beating the Stormers & clocking up their first win against a South African team... again, it was excellent.
• They seem to have an awesome team culture.
• My favourite Australian players seem to play for the Rebels... Hugh Pyle.  Laurie Weeks.  Scott Higginbotham.  Lachie Mitchell.  Rory Sidey.  Mitch Inman.  Luke Jones.
• And then, there ARE all those Kiwi boys on the team... James King, Cooper Vuna, Ged Robinson, Scott Fuglistaller.
• Jason Woodward (also qualifies in the 'and then, there ARE all those Kiwi boys on the team' category, but I felt he deserved his own category).  The man is HOT.

Man love. 
It's a beautiful thing.

It's even at the stage we are planning to go to Melbourne so we can see a Rebels game in person.  Sadly it probably works out just as cheap flying to Melbourne for a game, as it would flying within New Zealand.

So there you have it.  I'm a COMPLETE rugby traitor... 

The haka - in person - nothing better!

The All Blacks performing the haka before the 3rd test against France, in New Plymouth.  Nothing quite like seeing the haka up close, and being part of the atmosphere it creates in the stadium!

All Blacks v France... As I Saw It...

(also published on Pink Rugby)

The wifey and I drove to New Plymouth for the third test

The All Blacks came away from their recent Steinlager Series against les Bleus having won all three

Who doesn't love a good haka?

tests. It was to be expected. The French did, however, prove to be very worthy opponents, particularly in game one and game three, making the All Blacks work for both wins.

This is what went down...

Game 1 – Eden Park (Auckland)

score: 23-13

This game was a very physical but scrappy one, with both teams making a lot of mistakes and appearing unable to string anything fluent together. It was the first game for the All Blacks – who had only had three training sessions prior to the game – so the scrappy, mistake prone play was to be expected. New Zealand won the game 2 tries to 1, and though it was a messy game, it was quite clear there was a lot better to come from the All Blacks.

Tries: Aaron Smith, Sam Cane

Stand out player: Ben Smith – set up one try and made 95 running metres. Very dangerous running with ball in hand!

Oh Captain, Our Captain...
Richie McCaw was in the stands watching the 3rd test
... no doubt wishing he could get out on the field
& get the job done!

Game 2 – [the new] AMI Stadium (Christchurch)

score: 30-0

Without a doubt, the All Blacks best game of the series - holding the French scoreless in a great defensive effort - which was matched by their attacking prowess. Large improvements had been made from the week beforehand, the team starting to look more like the All Blacks that the country know and love. Even without Dan Carter or Richie McCaw on the team. The backs put on an excellent display, with all three tries to the home team, being scored by backs.

Tries: Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett

Stand out player: Israel Dagg – great under the high ball and found plenty of space behind the French defence when returning kicks. Made some threatening runs with the ball toward the end.

Man of the series, Ben Smith

Game 3 – Yarrow Stadium (New Plymouth)

Score: 24-9

While this game was a step up in comparison with their first test performance, it was a lacklustre affair in comparison to the second test. There was an apparent lack of attacking continuity and the All Blacks were unable to string together enough phases to look threatening. Dan Carter's performance with the boot was a little off – earning him lots of boos from the New Plymouth crowd – all anxious for hometown hero Beauden Barrett to get on the field. When Barrett did eventually make it on the field – with two minutes left on the clock - he rewarded his thousands of fans by scoring his second try in as many weeks. Coach Steve Hansen had said earlier in the week that three new caps would get 'plenty' of game time in the second half, but due to the All Blacks (it has to be said) crappy performance, the new caps weren't put on until there were only 10 minutes left on the clock.

It must have been a painful experience for Richie McCaw, who was watching from the stands.

Hometown hero & scorer of tries
Beauden Barrett

Tries: Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett

Stand out player: Ben Smith – the clear cut performer of the night. High workrate, some explosive running, and a nice little try at the end of the first half. Even made a few good kicks throughout the night.

To sum it all up...

Player of the series: Ben Smith.

He was the only player that went from strength to strength with each game, and consistently impressed in all aspects of his game.

Question answered: Super XV form – can they step up?

Ma'a Nonu and Israel Dagg BOTH stepped up to the mark in the black jersey, after less-than-impressive Super XV campaigns, to date. It was [a great] relief to see.

Question asked: Super XV form – why can't they step up?

So why the hell can't Ma'a Nonu or Israel Dagg perform at their peak for their franchises? Is it a case of them both being with the wrong franchise?

And a related question asked: Ma'a Nonu, what the hell were you thinking?

After an encouraging test series with the All Blacks, Ma'a Nonu came off the bench for the Highlanders against the Crusaders, and ended his Super XV season. Spear tackles are NEVER cool, Nonu. NEVER. You deserved that red card. Know what else isn't cool? A head high tackle on Dan Carter, earning you an off field yellow card to add to your pretty array of cards received this season.

That leads me to another related question asked: Where to from here, for Nonu?

Mr Todd, looking VERY good in black

Will Ma'a Nonu be left franchiseless after this year's Super XV is (officially) over? The man causes nothing but trouble wherever he goes. The Highlanders will be better off without him, and I'm going to go as far as to say that the NZRU will be better off without him on their books, as well.

What I learnt, on a personal level: Matt Todd looks spectacular in the black jersey. I hope to see him in it more often. Also, for a white boy he has a surprisingly fierce haka face.

And on a final note: Kudos to the St Johns team at Yarrow Stadium, and the staff at Taranaki Base Hospital Emergency Department. Your great service and treatment almost made my sprained ankle an enjoyable experience.

Okay, a final final note: Be careful when climbing over seats to get to your assigned seat at the rugby. Take special care to look out for uneven ground, which you could potentially stand on awkwardly, and then sprain your ankle. Just saying.