THE gloves are off and friendly World Cup rugby rivalry is alive and well in Bathurst.
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In the green and gold corner we have former Wallaby and local physiotherapist Marty Roebuck.
Over in the black corner is Kiwi fan and Clancy Motors’ dealer principal Greg Brimble.
Both men are passionate about their rugby and will be glued to the television tomorrow evening for the semi-final stoush between Australia and New Zealand at Eden Park.
Roebuck already has boasting rights, having been the fullback in Bob Dwyer’s 1991 World Cup winning Aussie side which beat England in the final.
Brimble also had pretty impressive credentials.
He was nominated as a potential Junior All Black in his younger days, but injury put a stop to any rugby ambitions the lanky No 8 may have had.
But come Sunday those past deeds count for nothing as the Wallabies attempt to overcome their Eden Park hoodoo.
Roebuck vividly recalls 1991 and the road that took the Wallabies to a 12-6 victory over the English on their home ground at Twickenham in London.
“We beat the All Blacks in the semi-final,” he said. “That match was like winning the final. We probably peaked for that match and then fell over the line against the Poms.”
Roebuck said the key to the Wallabies winning tomorrow’s big match is competing up front.
“If we can hold our own in the forwards and keep some sort of parity there our backs could run amok,” he said.
“While you have to think whoever wins tomorrow will take the title, you don’t want to go into a final over-confident because complacency will be the big enemy.”
Roebuck’s message to Kiwi rival Brimble: “There’s always 2015 to look forward to.”
Over in the Kiwi camp at Clancy Motors, Greg Brimble admits to being nervous. Very, very nervous.
It was many moons ago, but Brimble’s younger days were spent turning out for Marlborough in the New Zealand National Provincial Champion-ship, which included matches against France and Fiji.
“I was nominated for the Junior All Blacks, but was injured before the team was announced. Whether I would have made it or not, nobody will ever know.”
The high-profile car dealer is adamant his phone will be left off the hook if the Kiwis lose.
“It will be off for a month and I will be into hibernation and go and live in the Simpson Desert,” he said.
However, on a serious note, Brimble says the loss of No 10 Dan Carter for New Zealand makes it a whole new ball game.
“It brings the two teams back to being pretty level,” he said. “I think the match will be won at the breakdown, so it should be a key dual between Richie McCaw and David Pocock. They are the two best open side flankers in the world up against each other.”
Although he admits to being born in Australia, Brimble said his All Black flag will be proudly hanging in his bar at home tomorrow.
And his final word? New Zealand to win 23-21 in a cliffhanger.