As is usually the case, I woke and watched the news and scrolled through http://www.stuff.co.nz for sports stories.
I wanted particularly to see the results of the Sevens being played in Cape Town. New Zealand had won the week before and are always there or thereabouts. Recently, though, there has been an emergence of teams like Kenya and the USA that are starting to compete. USA knocked over the NZ sevens boys – quite literally. Out muscled and out played.
Should this worry us as Kiwis? Nope. We should applaud this and be thankful that Rugby Union is becoming a global game in the true sense of the word/phrase. The minor countries (I don’t really like that term) are playing better meaning we will have to be better. At all levels. We saw Japan beat the Springboks last World Cup in 15 a side, we have seen Argentina come on leaps and bounds. Ireland have gone from strugglers with a few good seasons in 100 years to probably the best team in the World. Wales have become one of the more consistent sides these days.
This can only benefit the game of Rugby Union. And, speaking slightly jingoistically (not a word) will better the All Blacks and the game in New Zealand. The World Cup next year will be awesome. The next few years of test rugby will be splendid.
Terrific
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