ARGIE-BARGY ALL IN GOOD SPIRITS
THE Loray household will split their support when Argentina roll into Cbus Super Stadium tonight.
Martin Loray will be cheering on his native side the Pumas while his son Tom, 13, will be keenly hoping for a Wallabies win.
It will cap a big day for Tom, who will line up for Surfers Paradise in the under13 Gold Coast District Rugby Union grand final against Bond Pirates at the latter’s Miami field from 9am.
The flyhalf also represented Queensland Country in an under-13 fixture against Queensland City earlier in the year.
His passion for the Wallabies is undoubted, according to his father.
“I don’t think I will get him to play for Argentina,” laughed Martin, who was unable to find any Gold Coast stores selling Pumas jerseys ahead of the Test.
“I suppose when he mucks around, he does say I want to play for the Wallabies, and he was born over here.”
Martin admits he is torn to a degree but does have to side with the Pumas, having grown up in Buenos Aires, and predicted the visitors will get the job done tonight.
“Look, Argentina is where I was born so I do want them to do well,” he said.
“When they play against Australia, I still want them to win but when Australia plays another country, I want Australia to win.
“If you talk to maybe some New Zealanders, they want Australia to lose.
“It’s going to be a tight game but I think the Argies are going to win. After how they played against New Zealand, I personally think the Argies are going to win.”
Either way, Martin and his wife Mariela have not looked back since moving Down Under 14 years ago.
“Things in Argentina weren’t doing so well, insecurity, and we wanted to start a family,” he said.
“The lifestyle over here is fantastic.
“In Argentina, it’s all over the place and it can get a bit dangerous.”
Now 45, Martin revealed he had a rugby playing career of his own that was cut short.
“I used to play, yes, at school but then when I was around 17 years old I hurt my leg and I wasn’t able to play anymore,” he said.