Bush presented with World Cup rugby jersey
Former Wallabys captain, John Eales presents George W Bush with a Australian/USA jersy. Photo: Andrew Taylor
Posted on 11/02/2004 1:18:05 PM PST by gobucks
Television screens are awash with stars and stripes; placard waving supporters line American streets; and around the world, a planet not entirely at ease with allowing the choice of such an influential figure to rest entirely in the hands of the Americans, awaits the outcome of the closest US election in history. It's not an ideal choice — anyone who remembers 'Predator' or 'Conan the Barbarian' (or the Mr. Universe titles) will shed a quiet tear that Governor Arnie can't run for the top job — but it's one that has to be made. So who's it to be, then, in the interests of sport?
Golf wise, it has to be Kerry. Bush is a keen golfer, certainly (as anyone who's seen 'Fahrenheit 9/11 will be able to attest to), and doesn't have a bad swing. But the US lost the Ryder Cup under Bush; the Presidents Cup was just halved; Tiger is down from one to three in the rankings; and for those with particularly good memories, Justin Timberlake got to do network golf commentary on US television during the Bush reign, which is simply unforgivable.
Bush wins one back, though, on the rugby field. The American team has provided a welcome home away from home for South African expatriates, who make up a substantial percentage of the side, and Bush himself was a flyhalf at college (the more cynical may suggest he took one too many hits from vitriolic, Democrat open-side flankers). Kerry, meanwhile, has been pictured time and again with American football in hand, and his passion for the crude, commercial hybrid of rugby league and Frisbee has to count against him.
If the American Eagles are rich in South African talent, then the American cricket team takes the foreign slant to new extremes, an international potpourri of homesick West Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans (only two of the squad at the Champions Trophy were actually born in the United States). And so to the tough call: do we laud the protection of cricket's noble art from the inevitable American deconstruction (think baseball...), or decry the barbarism of a leader unable to bring so fine a sport to his people? That they failed in their bid to host a World Cup game when the tournament hits the Caribbean in 2007 seals it — cricket needs to grow, even in America, and the civilising influence of the game can only be good for the Yanks. Kerry again, then.
One of the great mysteries of modern American sport is the continued failure of soccer to really catch fire. Yes, baseball, American football, basketball and ice hockey are firmly entrenched, but the immigrant history of the United States suggests that soccer should have done a lot better. Major League Soccer is strong but not spectacular, and the women's league has just folded — given the strength of the game with American kids, it's hard to understand just why the sport hasn't taken off. Any answers, George?
That Bush has a passion for sport isn't in question — aside from his regular escapes to the golf course (as yet, no 18 holes at Royal Baghdad, but we'll give him time), he's owned the Texas Rangers baseball team, and pitched a fairly decent fastball at Yankee Stadium in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Kerry is a little less certain — he professes to enjoy sport, but told ESPN yesterday that given a sport of choice to take on Bush at, he'd opt for "tennis or horseshoes". Horseshoes? Honestly...
In the absence of Schwarzenegger's guiding touch, it's down to Kerry or Bush, but as the poles are showing, it's one very close call. Bush the golfing fly-half versus Kerry the horseshoe-throwing challenger — no wonder America is so divided. But sport may already have decided the winner, for in every election since 1936, the result of the final Washington Redskins (American football) game before the polls has predicted the result — Redskins win, president's party wins; Redskins lose, and the challenger gets it. Just the type of solid indicator one needs to have faith in — which, given that the Redskins went down 28-14 to the Green Bay Packers, means President Kerry it will be, come tomorrow. We'll see.
And given all the tenseness with bogus threads and nonsenese, this thread is legit, and light hearted at the same time. And it's an overseas fellow to boot who is NOT rabidly pro Kerry. Thus, it was post worthy, even if he doesn't know that it is poll not pole in the USA ...
figures a democrat would play horseshoes, since close only counts...
Actually USA Rugby Union came out in support publically for Bush, perhaps the only union to do so. Rugby is the fastest growing sport in America, with a great performance in the World Cup last year its only going to get bigger.
lol!
Not surprised to learn that the Rugby Union would endorse Bush. Thanks for the post!
true, when something like 80% are college grads in the professional fields. the greatest thing about the Eagles win in the WC is that we are the only nonprofessional team entered.
I am a flanker and I loved to hit fly halfs. But after the game let's have a cold beer. GO BUSH!!
Ah, yes...Rugby. Also known as "Kill the Guy With the Ball" and "Padding is for Pansies." I love Rugby. All that beef on the hoof...
Ah, yes...Rugby. Also known as "Kill the Guy With the Ball" and "Padding is for Pansies." I love Rugby. All that beef on the hoof...
duh. sorry for duplicate...
Hey, some duplicates are a lot better than others!! Yours were two that are great!
bttt
Rugby is a dangerous sport. If the pounding on the field doesn't half kill you the drinking in the clubhouse afterwards will.
Give Blood. Play Rugby.
the later is true, but i wouldnt say that rugby is dangerous compared to american football or hockey due to the lack of plastic helmets/sticks. a rugby player rarely gets blindsided and the tackler has to be aware of his own mortality while tackling.
I'm not sure what the statistics show but I found playing Rugby that bruised ribs and sore joints, especially shoulders, took most of the following week to recover. Also I had a weak blood vessel in my nose and was ordered off a couple of times because the ref thought I was shedding too much "claret" and I played in the days before AIDS so I assume things are even stricter now.
Bush presented with World Cup rugby jersey
Former Wallabys captain, John Eales presents George W Bush with a Australian/USA jersy. Photo: Andrew Taylor
Is that him in the top-middle? (ashamed I am not positive).
Oh, my thanks and HATS OFF TO YOU!! What a pick!!!
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