It's 2019 and that means another World Cup Year, and as a long suffering Samoan Rugby Fan I am preparing myself for the all to familiar pattern -

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- Beat a second tier nation (Canada/Tonga/Australia/Uruguay/Namibia) convincingly to bring my hopes up. Buy tickets to the final

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- Have a competitive first half against one of South Africa (It's always fucking South Africa)/France/Ireland and be in a great position by half time. Then due to fitness we capitulate halfway through the 2nd half and end up losing by 40 points. Cry myself to sleep and listen to the teletubbies theme song on repeat for an hour or seven. Cancel Final Tickets. Bonus point if a stupid high tackle shifted momentum

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- Beat one of Wales or Scotland with an amazing performance out of our arses. Key player gets red carded for reckless and completely avoidable high tackle. Probably going to fuck us over in the future. Rebook final tickets. Record said game and store away for later review. Restock on lube and deal with noise complaints from the neighbours. Text all my mates telling them it's "Our Year".

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-Promptly lose to either Japan/Romania/Russia/USA in the final minute to consign us to another World Cup without making the Quarter finals. Bonus Bonus points if the try we concede in the last minute is an intercept or completely avoidable. Cancel final tickets. Cry myself to sleep (again). pretend the last few weeks didn't happen and eat Ice Cream out of the tub.

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-Watch one of Tonga or Fiji have an amazing world cup and put our team to shame. Cry myself to Sleep (again).

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-When asked who I've supported the whole world cup - "All Blacks for suuure mate"

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