Opinion: Kiwis fans cut ties and pledge allegiance to opposition

The Kiwis suffered their second loss to a second-tier nation at the weekend. Photo / File

I don't know about everyone else's social media timelines, but mine are filled with people pledging a new allegiance to Mate Ma'a Tonga and Fiji Bati.

This came almost immediately after the Kiwis' 4-2 loss to Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup in Wellington on Saturday.

There is no doubt it was a shock loss, but it was the second for the Kiwis who suffered defeat at the hands of the Tongan side in Hamilton just a week earlier.

That Kiwis and Mate Ma'a Tonga game was such a good one to watch, but Kiwi fans were less willing to accept the Fiji loss - probably because it was their second consecutive loss to a second-tier nation. The Kiwis are now out of the Rugby League World Cup.

It seemed to be just too much for Kiwi fans treating their throbbing hearts the only way they knew how - by cutting ties to the Kiwis side.

My timelines were plagued by Kiwi fans who'd had enough, with many now clinging to any connection they had to either Fiji or Tonga. Many had no connection at all, but they were still willing to become self-appointed honorary Fijians and Tongans.

As much as I'm all for adopting a new team, once your team is out of a competition, cutting ties is a bit tough.

Having a number two team is fine as a back-up, but you usually know which team that is right from the get-go and not have it be determined by who does well and jumping on a bandwagon, right?

Whether your favourite team in any sport is chosen by your own links or not, you have a favourite team for a reason, and it's all part of the parcel to take the good with the bad.

This campaign has in no way gone the way I was hoping it to, but I'm loyal to my team and will continue to support the Kiwis - it's just over for the Rugby League World Cup.

We'll get it next time but in the meantime, good luck to Mate Ma'a Tonga and Fiji Bati.