Testing International Friendships

By Val
@valmnz (17097)
New Zealand
October 18, 2015 1:07pm CST
Oh my goodness, three of us here are facing an international crisis, in a situation that will cause us such a lot of tension. Yes, I'm referring to next week's rugby world cup semi-finals, when one of the games will be played between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks. Only one of us will be able to go through to the finals, where we'll play either Argentina or Australia. Tension will be in the air in South Africa as @Inlemay and @bluesa face their screens, while I do the same here in New Zealand. We're both great rugby nations, and both teams have a lot of respect for each other. At least we'll be facing familiar opponents. I've had a lot f fun interactions with the Springbok girls in recent weeks and know we both want our own team to win. This is serious stuff national pride is at stake. Who knows what will happen.
26 people like this
25 responses
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 15
Oh dear as long as it is not swords at dawn between the three of you??? Enjoy I know you three are loving it!
4 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
and I'm going to be away from home without my husband to keep me calm!
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
@Inlemay high tea sounds far more pleasant Lany.
2 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
19 Oct 15
ha ha Gary - that could be funny - it would have to be in UK as we dont have any MIST here at dawn!! We could have the pistols at High Noon though?? @garymarsh6
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
18 Oct 15
lol Well for this time at least all the Americans can be neutral.
4 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
a new experience ?
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
@Inlemay I'll decline to comment
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
19 Oct 15
@valmnz well said - the Americans being Neutral?? - maybe they will intervene with a Ref somehow - that was funny.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 15
Sorry Val, I'm in the SA camp. But if you should win, then I hope you go on to be victorious in the final.
4 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
I kind of guessed you would be Janet as all four of our teams in the quarter finals have played and beaten each other this season it's anybody's game.
3 people like this
• Canada
19 Oct 15
It's all in fun. I have a sister-in-law who would hardly speak to me when her Vancouver hockey team played against the team of my home city. It was ridiculous. I think your online friends will be more reasonable.
4 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
We're already laughing about it. Our countries love playing each other.
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
19 Oct 15
Oh, Val, it is indeed tense times. But, we will all find the strength to be brave. I will just stock up on a lot of cocktail mix! Maybe have a few brandies, who knows, my heart might survive this. I guess all that is left to say, is, may the best team win. Eek!
3 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
In this case Catherine, I don't know. All teams are good. Argentina may surprise us. Wouldn't that be something.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
19 Oct 15
@valmnz , after the Rugby we saw this weekend, Val, anything is certainly possible.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Oct 15
I agree with the other commenters ... I hope your friendships survive!
4 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
LOL, I'm sure they will.
3 people like this
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Oct 15
@valmnz - I'm glad to hear that your friendship will survive! :)
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Oct 15
It does not really matter anymore because England played rubbish and went out early as usual.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
It still matters to the rest of us
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 15
I am very certain that your Friendship will survive this
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 15
@valmnz Let me know how it goes Val
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
@gabs8513 you'll probably know the results there in England before I do here in NZ!
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
I'm sure it will.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136519)
• India
19 Oct 15
I do remember our interaction when cricket world cup was being played, at the other site.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
I'm not much into cricket, but it is always exciting to follow any games at this level.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
18 Oct 15
It's a good thing that I am not a sports fan!
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
You don't know what ecitement you're missing out on!
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
19 Oct 15
Val, I tried to be neutral, but I confess a preference for the "All Blacks", I like too much the Haka.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
Great to have you on my team Anna I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that Smooch is completely neutral!
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
@LadyDuck Smooch will sleep his way through it curled up on his Daddy's knee
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
19 Oct 15
@valmnz Cats know how to live, they prefer to be neutral.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
18 Oct 15
I love our Southern Hemisphere Rugby groupie - I believe there are some great teams in the last 4 - let the best team win.
3 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
It's going to be exciting times
3 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
19 Oct 15
@valmnz Sad, heartbreak for three sides but Victory for one - we shall enjoy it all - that's what Rugby fans do!!
2 people like this
19 Oct 15
we are going through the same sort of thing with post-season baseball. hope your team wins!
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
Makes it all the more exciting
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 15
This post reminds me how international we are here. I've never heard of any of these teams. But I'm a tad depressed because the Chicago Cubs lost again this evening.
3 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
And guess what, I've never heard of the Chicago Cubs
@wiLLmaH (8802)
• Singapore, Singapore
19 Oct 15
Do not worry on me friend. I am not rooting for anyone. I will follow this thread and check out on the winning team :)
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
It's a long wait for us all - nearly two weeks till the final!
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
19 Oct 15
Friendship is thicker than rugby! Haha. I don't watch sports much. The only one I watch is badminton, when Malaysia is playing.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
and of course, I know Malaysia is pretty good at badminton!
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
18 Oct 15
I guess we were lucky to go out in the first round, it saved friendships
2 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
18 Oct 15
a bit tough on the home side though!
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
20 Oct 15
I don't know much about rugby, but good luck to your team, and theirs. I don't follow much for sports at all, other than our local college football team, who happened to lose this past weekend.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
20 Oct 15
It's so disappointing when the team you follows loses, isn't it.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
21 Oct 15
@fawkes62 next season is yet to come
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
20 Oct 15
@valmnz It is, especially when you've been spoiled with as few losses the last few years as we've had. This season we've probably had the same amount of losses as we have the last 4 years combined.
1 person likes this
@NeldaHoxie (1381)
• United States
19 Oct 15
Sorry I am not into rugby. I'm an American football fan.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
Each to their own
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
19 Oct 15
As long as the All Blacks are not playing the Wallabies, I will root for the All Blacks. ;), but I love listening to the South African national anthem.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
I don't think any of us should discount the Argentinians
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
19 Oct 15
@vickyrose it's great that the last four are all southern hemisphere teams
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
19 Oct 15
@valmnz I don't usually watch the rugby but I will watch the semi finals. Yes, the Argentinians are a team to reckon with.
1 person likes this