It had to happen, I've had it now.....

It's taken two and a half years, of sometimes painstaking support of South African sport in general. It was great winning the World Cup in Rugby under Jake White, but somehow, both the Springboks AND South African sport has now plumbed new depths. I'm sick of supporting a bunch of no hopers week after week. Just look at the performances in the Olympics as well - one measly silver medal....whoa ! I am now sick of it. How a world beating rugby team can sink to such depths, that my old school rugby team could beat them in about 6 months defy's belief.
So....in preperation for my new citizenship as an Australian, I have decided to support Australia from now on.

If South Africa continues at their current strike rate of 1 medal per Olympics it will take them to the Olympics of 2744 to reach the target of Aussie medals (46) in 2008, by which time Australia will have earned (also at current strike rates)another 736 medals......

I am a believer in the theory that a countries mood is measured by the achievements of their sportsmen and women, need I say more. Australia boxes way above their weight in sport, considering that there is only a population of 20 Million in Australia vs 60 Million in RSA. Aussies have always been able to cope with the "big match temperament" syndrome, in fact revel in it, whereas South Africans seem so burdened with the "weight of the nation" on their sholders, that they clam up and can't perform when they have to. At which point, the old fashioned, "well if we can't beat them, then we will try and bliksem them", mentality comes to the fore. I can't stand that!.

So it is very liberating to be able to shed the baggage of the past and look forward to supporting Australia - yes even when they play South Africa. Hey I never thought I would say that, but I have and I mean it. I will of course, always be interested in what happens in South Africa and their sport, but I am soon to become an Australian, and as I said before, "it had to happen sometime". It's an attitude thing.

I must admit to shedding a number of tears when Aussies got onto the podiums to receive medals, I can't help it, I get so wrapped up in the emotion (in fact am an emotional wreck after the last two weeks). So many brave stories of everyday folk who have achieved so much when it counted. I actually taped the rugby the other night, but I don't think I will even watch it, I get too upset.....

Interesting too, to note that about 75% of the Australian medals from the Olympics came from Queenslanders too. Go Queensland, Go the Maroons, Go Australia (you good thing) and Go the Cowboys...next season, and the Reds, and the Roar, and the Lions, and the Broncos and the Titans, and the Opals, and the Kukaburra's.....

Go you good thing............!!!!