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The sacrificial battle - Australian Rugby league News
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globalrugbyleague - Wed, 21 May 2008 15:07:00 GMT
Hygienically challenged veteran Blues supporter Dave Pungent understands what it’s like to be feeling the pressure of State of Origin.
He knows what’s it like to sledged by club patrons in Maroon Jerseys who are offended by the fact that he‘s cut deodorant cans off the weekly shopping list due to the cost of living.
This year the shopping subtractions continue including soap and new underwear. All because this die-hard supporter can’t afford to live....after betting on South Sydney to win the premiership in 2008.
Pungent is one of many thousands of football fans who holds a bountiful history of making sacrifices to continue following the most important rivalry in Rugby League.
Last year due to water restrictions, the 33-year-old work for the dole apprentice did his bit for the country by restricting himself to one shower a week.
Subsequently he was asked by several clubs showing State of Origin to take a shower at half-time or leave. He chose to be thrown out on his ass and walk home with his dignity.
When he got home he found a note from his wife demanding that the hot water be turned back on or the marriage was over. While the divorce was expensive, he now has a lot more time to watch the greatest game of all.
To me heroes like Dave Pungent represent exactly what State of Origin is all about. Making sacrifices
What will you go without to watch tonight’s clash at ANZ Stadium?
Perhaps you’ll give up a night of sex with your loved one. Then again like most Australians you probably did make love for the first time in 15-years during Brendan Nelson’s budget reply last Thursday, so you deserve a break.
Or it might mean missing a night of Tafe. Since the teachers are going on strike the day after game 1, why not beat them to it and go on a student strike the night before.
These two interstate rivals that are about to go war could learn a lot from fans like Dave Pungent. We all could.
NSW: 1.Brett Stewart 2.Jarryd Hayne 3.Mark Gasnier 4.Matt Cooper 5.Anthony Quinn 6.Greg Bird 7.Peter Wallace 8.Brett White 9.Danny Buderus © 10.Ben Cross 11.Ryan Hoffman 12.Willie Mason 13.Paul Gallen Interchange: 14.Anthony Laffranchi 15.Anthony Tupou 16.Craig Fitzgibbon 17.Ben Hornby Coach: Tony Archer
QLD: 1.Billy Slater 2.Brent Tate 3.Greg Inglis 4.Justin Hodges 5.Israel Folau 6.Karmichael Hunt 7.Johnathan Thurston 8.Carl Webb 9.Cameron Smith © 10.Petero Civoniceva 11.Michael Crocker 12.Sam Thaiday 13.Dallas Johnson Interchange: 14.PJ Marsh 15.Ben Hannant 16.Nate Myles 17.Jacob Lillyman Coach: Mal Meninga - Read More, Here