Iconic Kiwi cricketer Ian Smith will sit a little more uncomfortably during his current commentary stint with Fox Sport, after being stitched up by his colleagues during the Australia v West Indies test series across the Tasman.
In a show of ANZAC bonhomie, the former NZ wicketkeeper publicly declared his support for the Socceroos football team at the Football World Cup, after they qualified for a Round of 16 clash against Argentina, but - like the rest of Australia - was left dispirited by their subsequent elimination in a 2-1 defeat.
Smith's critical reaction was captured on amateur video and replayed by his Aussie mates during the lunch break at Perth.
"ANZAC day isn't just one day," he said, jumping on the bandwagon before the knockout match. "It's a remembrance of the hard times we spent together, shoulder to shoulder in the trenches and came out fighting... these are the moments when we share our glory.
"WE are doing very well and I back US."
But after the match, the beloved Kiwi icon had changed his tune.
"I thought they were pretty average actually," he rued. "I didn't have a lot of faith in them from the word go to be perfectly honest.
"At the end of the day, the difference between the All Whites and the Socceroos is very small. Neither of us won the World Cup, so let's just shut up and get on with it, shall we."
Despite the loss, Australia can look back on their World Cup campaign with satisfaction, defying their No.38 world standing to progress out of poolplay as the lowest-ranked team in the final 16.
