In a league of our own

I know that there are many New Zealanders who do not give a toss about the Rugby World Cup. Frankly, I am close to being one of them. I don’t enjoy the games themselves—too much whistle for me, particularly around the scrums. But I do enjoy the enjoyment that most New Zealanders are getting from hosting the tournament. That joy is palpable, mostly in the omnipresent flags. It’s wonderful to see and wonderful to show our many guests. It also shows me something else—something not so palpable—but nevertheless important. It shows me that we New Zealanders are showing a new maturity, and evidence of that is coming from an unlikely source: support for The Warriors. You see, up until now whenever The Vodafone Warriors had a success someone—a leaguee or rah rah—would start the stupid and stupefying debate about which code is the best. Not this time. Some tried, particularly on talkback, but that debate was shut down immediately and those who raised it were made to feel like the retrograde dorks they are. Instead, it’s become obvious that the whole country has got right behind The Warriors, as they have the All Blacks. One of the best quotes I read on that was from, I think, All Black Kieran Read who, when asked what would be the best part of playing Canada during the day on Sunday, replied that it meant “the boys” could get back to their hotel in time to watch The Warriors. Good stuff. Go The Warriors. Go the All Blacks. Go us for growing up and relishing all sports and all our successes.