RWC 2011

Last week, I found out the Rugby World Cup was starting and that South Africa were playing against Wales on Saturday. I don't know much about rugby, (read: i know pretty much there is a ball, and there are a bunch of teams and they smash each other. a lot.) But since I support South Africa with all my big proud heart, I decided to join the little group of Saffers and watch a bit of RUGGER.



(edit: not really that skinny IRL)





So i put on my lovely green shirt in an "I support the Bokke" fashion.





After I tweeted about my unfortunate Christmas tree fashion faux pas. I found out that Wales is in fact red. Why would I support Wales?! dumb-dumb. I changed.

Nicole came to fetch me before the game.

Nicole: are you ready?
Me: yes, I just need to get my sketchbook.
Nicole: you don't need your sketchbook.
Me: I do.
Nicole: Why do you need your sketchbook?
Me: To make the rugby more fun.
Nicole: fine.
Me: Oh! Nicole! look at me! I have a green shirt!
Nicole: well done.

Nicole has a "real" rugby shirt. She is fancy. She is a "real" supporter.

We arrive at rugby watching venue:



Ah, this rugby thing, I could get into it....


lala laa la.... Rugby is so lovely... la laaa laa lalala... doodles, pretty pictures
and then!



For someone who has just been minding her own business and quietly doodling to herself,  it is a most surprising and frightening experience to have grown rugby men jump up towards you and scream at the same time. I nearly jumped out my little green t-shirt.


Something must have happened with aforementioned "rugby game". When cheering and shouting and screaming has subsided, grown rugby-men look at you curiously because you are now a skitterish nervous-wreck. You think they are expecting some kind of remark about the "rugby play" that just occurred. Good thing you know exactly what happened.



In this situation, use the above phrase. You will know you have succeeded with this phrase if the rugby-men say nothing, focus back on screen and continue to drink beer. (beer = compulsory. Even if you are in a neck-brace. [Tim].)

Now, you're "in".

Ladies (and men) of the "non-rugby" variety, I would like to loan you this win-win catch-all rugby phrase. With careful emphasis and correct use of tone, it may be applied to ALL rugby situations.

(Fantastically my win-win catch-all rugby phrase was also highly appropriate for the outcome of the Wales game. i told you.)

Man-friends wearing green shirts = green moving team on field = your team. Simple.

However, you may run into some complications using this method:

In this very tricky scenario,

That's it. 

When the hot one gets excited and cheers, you get get excited and cheer, when the hot one gets angry and says things like "THE REF IS BLIND!", you get angry and say things like "THE REF IS BLIND!" When the hot one gets sad and emotional, you... console him.  ("it was so close.")

This will work for you.

You will still win.

If all else fails and you would like to support South Africa, pick the green team, the one that blends in with the field. We're camo like that.

In my internet searching for the World Cup Time Table (yeah, i'm a fan of this screaming-at-the-TV thing now) - I did come across something great.... I may not be a rugby guru, but i DO know, that you do NOT name your rugby team 

"The brave blossoms."

I'm a bad mother.

I have a small shameful secret.

It all started at the Rugby World Cup Final 2007 - South Africa vs England.

The 2007 Rugby World Cup Final took place during my 4th Year of University. We were all really excited for the big mash-up between England and South Africa. I love South Africa, but to be honest, I don't really know all that much about rugby. (no that's not the secret)

Anyway, some of my friends decided to have a big viewing at their house - and they set up a big screen projected TV to view the game. They even set up mattresses on the floor in  front of the TV screen so they could max out the number of people who were able to watch the game at their place.
Obviously I hooked a mattress right in the front:

Actually, I will say that I was not wearing my usual pink dress - but in the spirit of true South African support I put on some green. I really was trying very hard. I even painted my face:

(and this is me with Lisa - who actually does know what is going on in rugby)

Ingrid also painted her face.

it was a fail.

she thought it was very funny. not many other people did.

(me in the corner. trying really hard with my green and gold.)

So, there we were ready for the game:

When you don't really know much about the game, a good tactic is to observe those in the room who are on the same team as you and shout when they shout.

EXAMPLE:

Your cue.

People think you are a really hectic chick who is really into the game of rugby.

(good work)

The game was really EPIC (so I believe) and we beat England - so it must've been a good one...

Everyone was on such a South African high! it was wonderful!! All the streets of Grahamstown were completely green and gold. We all trundled off to the only pub to celebrate the awesomeness of South Africa!!

Paddy and I were merrily walking down the road towards The Rat on a World Cup infused joyous high...

and so we trudged with our new child Cody (who is actually quite heavy and difficult to maneuver after several celebratory drinks) up the road....

and suddenly:

And so, we abandoned Cody, on the street, in the midst of World Cup Fanfare and delirious vagabonds.

How could we?! SHAME on us.

Oh Cody, I am so sorry.

* * *

Now, you may think this is an ordinary milk carton...

but it is in fact a cry for help:

and the quest to find our abandoned child.

Milk carton, made by the awesome Paddy, who is also sick with worry.

PLEASE HELP US.

Bring Cody Home.

Watch This.