Have you ever checked out the music that’s played during breaks at rugby games? Regardless of where it is, Ireland, the UK, France or the south, it is invariably old. What is it about rugby and the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s?
Is it that the CEOs, presidents and pony-tails dream of their youth when they were flying down wings and burning up discos? I don’t know, but do notice that Meat Loaf, Purple Rain, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Toto, Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen et al still get the crowds going today? Strange, that! Video did not kill the rock ‘n roll star!
I love the story about Rory McIlroy, the champion golfer and big rugby fan, watching his beloved Ulster at Ravenhill in Belfast just after his much publicised break-up with top tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
At a pause in play, the DJ put on Neil Diamond and guess what he selected? As Sweet Caroline blazed out, the whole crowd, and Rory, with a smile, joined in. Marvellous.
The news that Rory is to play in the SA Open at Glendower in January is wonderful. Ernie Els attended the Irish Open in 2014 as a favour to Rory, who was the host, and made him promise to do the same for his SA Open. Rory has kept his word. It means the Open will have the world’s attention as that is what happens when the elite of golf grace an event with their presence.
It makes the occasion a wonderful chance to showcase the course, the city and the country. Golf tourism is a major industry and with our weather, courses, wonderful, inexpensive caddies and exchange rate, we should rule the golfing tourism world.
I hope the DA will not see the golf tournament sponsorships as vanity events but rather as rare marketing opportunities. Weather is the only thing that can ruin a golf holiday and on the Highveld we can offer money-back guarantees.
Durban should be a world city as well, and the deafening silence around the 2022 Commonwealth Games is worrying.
Please use the occasion to boost tourism in KZN. Sun, sea, sand and inexpensive fun. That’s what tourists from Europe want and Durban should be killing it. Sport is not just sport but an occasion to focus on a venue. Please use the opportunities well and don’t bow to populist pressure. Tourism growth results in new jobs. Immediately.
Meanwhile, the Springboks need a win at Loftus Versfeld today.
The country is angry as the Boks have not performed at all so far this season. The Aussies won well against the Pumas and will sniff blood this afternoon.
We have not panicked and have selected a grizzly pack and a clever backline. However, it must be the smallest unit we have selected behind the scrum for decades. Apart from the muscular Jesse Kriel, it is a group of rugby midgets.
Does that mean we are sacrificing grunt for skill? I don’t know, but the Aussies will line up Kerevi, Folau, Haylett-Petty and Cooper to punch at it all afternoon.
Can Pat Lambie really be Test match-ready after weeks out and a few minutes of play? I doubt it.
We must play at pace, even if we kick a fair bit, and we must tackle like hell.
Altitude is our friend and Loftus is a talisman, so we must move the Aussies around.
We need a win to release pressure and to set us up for a tilt at that great windmill called New Zealand next week.
Our bench could be the key this time but please cut out the schoolboy errors.
We know that we are far behind in terms of rugby development, but a win might just boost confidence to embrace the challenge.
A loss will lead to anger, allegation and recrimination.
Maybe what we need today is a per-formance backed by Paul McCartney and Wings’ With a Little Luck.
*Robbie hosts the morning drive show 6-9am weekdays on 702.
Saturday Star