Blackout? I don't think so!

When I lived in New Zealand, I learned two things very quickly - you don't mess with the Maori (well- obviously!) or the Kiwi obsession with all things All Black! I have been what seemed like, the lone Aussie in an Kiwi crowd, and it's NOT pleasant. I've been the lone Aussie supporter in an Aussie/Kiwi household and, at times that's not pleasant either! I've been in Auckland after an All Black's loss, and it's like a ghost town - you go into a shop, and the staff are out the back crying into their Steinlagers, and couldn't care less if you are there!

I found it MUCH safer to keep my mouth shut in case my obviously Aussie accent bought on a barrage of insults, or more commonly tears, such is their obsession. I must say though, it's a whole different ball game (and it really is!) when the AB's win over there - the whole country celebrates. Here, we have our AFL, and some of us can get pretty passionate (for passionate read obsessed), but it's not the same. Rugby (not to be confused with that dirty Thugby League) is their life - it's like a religion, hey, it's all they have!

So, I guess what I really wanted to say was, in their biggest win since 1999...

The Mighty Wallabies beat the All Black's last night 34-19

I know too much about the AB's to expect this to mean we'll get the Bledisloe Cup back this year, but it's a great start and why not revel in it while we can?!

One more thing - you can be sure the NZ papers are all saying it's because we now have ex Kiwi coach Robbie Deans, but check out which anthem he sang last night - it sure wasn't God Defend New Zealand!