The Taliban? Nah, mate we’re battling the Aussies
NEWZealand Defence Force members took a momentary break from training Iraqi soldiers to fight the Taliban to engage in some old fashioned Aussiebashing during the Bledisloe Cup match last night.
The 105-strong contingent were clambering around satellite televisions at their fortified base a few kilometres north of Baghdad, alongside their Australian counterparts, to watch the rugby test match.
Those that were working could watch on their computers, while a TV set had also been set up in the mess hall.
But a hardcore of All Blacks fans would be donning their specially-made Camp Taji All Blacks supporters kit and heading to the shared Anzac Cove recreation room, where the Aussies were also out in force.
One NZDF member, who cannot be named as part of a protected identity policy for troops serving in Iraq, said most soldiers would watch the game.
Speaking from Afghanistan last night, he said: ‘‘We talked up a big game before the Olympic Sevens, so we’ve got a bit of ground to make up. There definitely is a bit of banter, and they are not afraid to let you know if they have won something. We’ve got to pick our battles.’’
Because Taji is a ‘‘dry’’ camp, the only beverages on offer for the kickoff at 1pm local time will be Coke and water – despite soaring 40-degree temperatures.
The soldier said watching the game and hearing the familiar sounds from home was good for morale: ‘‘It does give you a boost when you hear the New Zealand voices on the TV. You feel like you’re sitting on the couch at home, until you step outside and quickly realise you’re a long way from home.’’
Another soldier said he was looking forward to getting ‘‘blacked out’’ with the camp’s All Blacks supporter’s club for the game. ‘‘There’s always a friendly rivalry, nothing more than a bit of Kiwi-Aussie banter.’’
The Kiwi forces, who are training Iraqi troops who are fighting a bloody and brutal war with Islamic State, are due home in December.