For this couple, Australia-New Zealand rivalry begins at home

For this couple, Australia-New Zealand rivalry begins at home

• Pauline and Alan on a flight to Melbourne to watch the final Derek Abrahamdna

It had been just three weeks since Pauline and Alan tied the knot. And then, on February 1, 1981, Greg Chappell committed that act of sacrilege at the MCG. Within minutes, Pauline got a call from her dad. “Dump that Aussie and come back home,” he thundered. Thankfully, she didn’t take her old man too seriously.

Thirty-four years on, the underarm episode, one which Trevor Chappell was needlessly dragged into by his older brother, is still a bone of contention between the neighbours. The rivalry is fierce across many sports and will reach fever pitch on Sunday when nearly 90,000 will throng the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the final of the World Cup.

Pauline and Alan are happily married with two children. Their son lives in Sydney and daughter in Boston. On Friday, the cricket romantics boarded a flight from Sydney to Melbourne. Pauline happened to be on the seat next to you.

“Tough luck. India had a poor day,” she said. Yes they did. “So my husband and I were at the SCG last (Thursday) night. The atmosphere was great,” she added. Yes, it was. “We are going to watch the final. Who do you think is going to win?” Heart says New Zealand, head says Australia. “Yeah, I think so too,” she shrugged. “Aussies can’t accept it when they lose. Kiwis win well and lose well. They are humble all the time,” she said.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1xlQ0op