Rugby final divides family

The good natured rivalry between members of a Rolleston family divided over this weekend’s Super Rugby final is ramping up.

Reinart van Rooyen and his wife Elaine grew up in Johannesburg and back in South Africa they were both big Lions fans.

But that’s no longer the case. While Reinart has kept the faith with the team he’s supported all his life, Elaine and their two boys, aged 10 and 8, have embraced their new home and are now backing the Crusaders – admittedly with a soft spot for the Lions.

It should make for a lot of good natured rivalry tomorrow night, when family and friends gather at the couple’s home to watch the big game.

‘‘It’s all in good fun and about enjoying supporting your team,’’ Reinart said.

‘‘If you’re going to be too PC about it and not have fun, it’s not worth it.’’

The rivalry is already well under way: Earlier this week Elaine put a Crusaders sword on the front door of their home one morning, only for Reinart to race home later that day and put it on the roof.

‘‘I don’t know what he thought that would do,’’ she said, laughing.

‘‘I do know how to use a ladder.’’ Reinart said his family back in South Africa had long supported Johannesburg-based Super Rugby teams, most lately the Lions.

However, 10 years ago he, his wife and his in-laws moved to New Zealand. While he’s maintained his Lions’ allegiance, these days Elaine and the boys are right behind the red and blacks.

‘‘They jumped ship but I just can’t bring myself to do that,’’ Reinart said.

‘‘They’re out-and-out Crusaders supporters now.’’

He’s not surprised his boys support their local team, given all their friends do and they play rugby for Rolleston.

A group of the couple’s friends are flying down from Auckland for the game, with another family member over from South Africa, which is why they’ve decided it might be easier to have a barbecue and watch the game at home, he said.

As for a final result, Reinart is predicting the Lions to come out on top after a close game, winning 27-24.

Elaine said he’s dreaming and the Crusaders will triumph 38-14.

‘‘And I think that’s optimistic for the Lions.

‘‘He’s [Reinart] going to be very disappointed.’’

‘‘It’s all in good fun.’’ Lions supporter Reinart van Rooyen

STACY SQUIRES/ STUFF A house divided . . . Reinart van Rooyen, back, is a staunch Lions supporter but his wife Elaine, and boys Quade, 8, and Yurick, 10, are backing the Crusaders to win tomorrow night’s Super Rugby final.