Dismal Day

Proud to be a supporter of the All Blacks? Not likely.

It was an unusual event for me- to actually watch a rugby game. I didn't do it on purpose- I was at work during a quiet period, and just watched what everyone else was watching. How disappointing! I would have been better off reading the phonebook- I'd have gotten more out of it.

Dropped balls, knock-ons, hand-overs, intercepts, stupid decisions. Just a few of the mistakes that I could see- and I don't even watch the game. The performance of the All Blacks against South Africa during Saturdays game was pathetic. Makes me glad to be Australian! It would have been heart-breaking for any dyed in the wool supporter who can see nothing but black.

The commercialisation of Rugby has been its downfall. If we could go back to the days of part-time players, if we could have them work a job as well as play the game, then maybe the passion would be at the right place. Take away the money, make it an honour to play for the country, and get on with the game.

I feel that the country would be better off without such an emphasis on the sport. We need to set better priorities, sport is great- but it is not the be all and end all of life.

A Sure Bet

There aren't too many things in this life that are sure. You've got death and taxes, and that's about it! So when I heard my colleagues at work emphatically stating that the All Blacks could not win in Saturday's test against the Wallabies, all I could do was smile and nod.

"The All Blacks can't win, not with their line up!" was the catch cry. "A sure bet" was another line. For several days there was talk on pretty well nothing else, just the All Blacks and their certain defeat. Not once did anyone suggest another outcome- no one seemed to believe it possible that the Wallabies would be beaten! The work social club even went so far as to withdraw their savings to enter a syndicate, betting their monies on this "sure bet."

Sadly for them, the "sure bet" did not turn out to be quite so "sure!" I do not gamble. I have found it to be a past time with no real future, a waste of time and money. Sure, some people make a few buck here and there, many fewer take a big win, but in the long run, the House always wins. I guarantee- if you keep your money in your pocket, you'll win every time!

Death and Taxes- the ONLY sure bet.