Terry Serepisos was moved to set up the Wellington Phoenix team by the passing of his beloved brother; Jonah Lomu roused thousands of rugby fans in his prime as an All Black and his ongoing battle with kidney disease has seen his inspirational influence multiply; and witnessing Jock Hobbs gathering all his strength to present Richie McCaw with his 100th test cap last weekend made me want to momentarily put my rugby boots back on again (I'm only 65 games away from matching McCaw!).
One can't help but think that if the presence of Hobbs doesn't inspire the All Blacks to finally get this World Cup monkey off their back, nothing will.
At a stretch one could also suggest that the Warriors and the All Blacks are egging each other on to excel and perform in their respective codes.
It's probably a case of code rivalry and competitiveness rather than genuine support - but if it brings around a double-whammy win for New Zealand, keep it up!Inspiration is such a funny phenomenon.
We gain it from different sources and it can be fleeting or long-lasting depending on the nature of the "inspirer" and "inspired".
People read books, attend workshops, listen to guest speakers, observe their idols and role models, experience life-changing events, or have a goal or vision that motivates them through thick and thin.
Are individuals who come into your life momentarily, who don't know you intimately, and who love you when you're winning but won't give you the time of day when you're losing inspirational?
Fans all over the world believe they can inspire their cherished teams and influence the outcome of a game.
We saw that with the Tongan supporters at the Rugby World Cup and we've seen it again with Warriors fans turning out in droves to see the team train before they head off to Sydney.
True fans wear their team's colours and uniforms down the street; buy flags (the bigger the better) and display them in cars, windows, and on fences; know all the facts and figures about the game, team and the players; cheer, yell and scream on the sideline; and show their dedication by being at the airport, trainings, in the grandstand, and on the sideline win or lose.
I'd consider myself a fake if I started cheering for the Warriors this late in the piece but I'll be watching the game this Sunday and watching intently nonetheless.
On the other hand, I am a true blue rugby supporter because I've invested so much of my life, time and energy into this game.
I'll feel every tackle, dropped ball, try, and drop kick as if I performed it myself but I don't know if it will inspire me to do those odd jobs around the house that I've been meaning to do.
Strange things motivate me.
Although he is now declared bankrupt, I am inspired by Serepisos, who financed the Wellington Phoenix team when no-one else was willing to take the risk. I am moved to take a few more risks in my own life in terms of opportunities and chances that arise.
I continue to be more inspired by individuals who overcome hardship and put on a brave front when confronted with ill-health than I am by individuals who are healthy and get paid to train hard and perform.
Unlike many New Zealanders, I don't believe Richie McCaw should be knighted if the All Blacks win the World Cup, but I would be the first to support that honour being bestowed on Jock Hobbs or Jonah Lomu.
I doubt fans have any real impact on the outcome of a game or on the performance of the athletes, but you'd have to be a robot if you weren't moved by their dedication, and it makes for a more colourful and entertaining spectacle at games.
The diversity of ways in which we are inspired (and inspire others) is what makes us human, so I'm looking forward to a weekend of celebrating humanity in all its shapes and forms.
Go the Warriors. Go the All Blacks. Kia kaha Jock Hobbs, Jonah Lomu and Terry Serepisos.