Pessimists this time we will win the world cup. We not going out to miss out five times in a row. Won't happen we are due for a world cup.
Due for a world cup !!!
That is precisely the attitude that has left 'old bill' off shore since 1987.
They don't give it out on a 'whose turn is it' basis you have to be the best prepared, best equipped side to win it at that tournament ... not just be 'due' for it. We have an opportunity to win it and I think we have a very good chance at that but its only going to take one error and its gone to someone else.
But back to the actual topic ...
I was there for the '85 clash and its still a painful memory but it was a bloody good game.
The best game of that era though was the '83 wellington challenge. By far the best atmosphere (better than the 85 aucks game imho). For those of you too young to remember, Spencer v Mehrts was a late starters follow up to Deans v Hewson.
I think the extra sting in the Auck v Canty came in the fundamental economic changes in the 80s that saw huge movement of work, jobs etc and economic + political influence shift north to the Auck region.
I think the nationwide anti Auck thing was fuelled by the frustration of that shift and of having historically strong teams struggle to compete. Auck rugby became the target to vent any frustration.
I think that is while the rest of the country may not like the 'saders dominance now it won't extend to the level of hatred that the Auck region still generates.
Auckland is the 'england' of NZ domestic rugby or the NSW of Aussie sport. I would think that economic frustration big brother/little brother thing is a factor in why beating NSW at anything is so significant to queenslanders.
