Rhys Chamberlain.
At least one Otago fan will be in Sydney to watch the
Warriors chase grand final glory on Sunday night. Otago
Daily Times Central Otago correspondent Rhys Chamberlain
tells his story.
I clearly remember that glorious day in February when one of
the five friends suggested we take it to the next level and
head to Sydney for the NRL grand final.
Our previous escapade to Marlborough for fine wines and
cheeses had been a highlight without sport the previous year,
so the suggestion to combine wine with rugby league was
warmly received.
We joked right from the start - "What if the Warriors made
it?" - and shrugged it off like it was a wonderful pipe
dream.
So, it was settled. One of the group's good wives would plan
the event, given that planning something on this large scale
was not in any of our respective male repertoires.
Regular payments and event planning ensued.
Meanwhile, the Warriors kicked off the 2011 NRL season with
three losses on the trot. I scoffed about it to another mate
who had predicted that the Warriors would win the competition
this year. I think a box might be headed his way.
Regular wagering was also part and parcel of the whole
experience, until we all noted how much we were losing and it
was shelved, alongside the Warriors joke, which was starting
to become less of a joke as the season wore on.
As the tickets arrived and the day drew closer, one of us
dropped out, replaced by a mate of a mate of a mate, and
still the Warriors marched on.
Two weeks ago, the scoffing was at fever pitch as the chances
of beating Benji Marshall's Tigers were apparently next to
nil.
And then, as semifinal Saturday against the Storm rolled
around, it became a contest of who could yell most loudly at
the tube as Shaun Johnson put on a step and sent Louis Brown
over for the match-winner.
Sydney, here we come. The Warriors have made it, and we get
to be there, in the rugby league capital of the world.
A television set is nothing compared to a grand final - and
hopefully a Warriors victory - viewed with our own eyes.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.