What a fairytale weekend. Waity Katie nabbed herself a prince and wowed the billions watching the small family affair with her dress, confidence and bridesmaid.
The Breakers did what many Kiwi teams have failed to do, taking the title of one of Australia's major sporting leagues and giving Paul Henare the ideal send-off from the playing world into the coaching world.
Aaron Cruden fought off other players in his team who either didn't trust his goal-kicking abilities or wanted to be the hero, and kicked the deciding penalty that gave the Hurricanes a win, and him a much-needed confidence boost.
As the hoo-haa dies down, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prepare to honeymoon in some exotic and secret location, the Breakers enjoy the afterglow and are hoping to keep the majority of their players for next season, and the Hurricanes' boost in confidence means they may become a thorn in the side of other Super rugby teams trying to make the play-offs.
Can the Kiwi league team continue this fairytale run for people and teams in need of a storybook ending? The Kiwis are definitely used to being the bridesmaids in the Anzac test, having won this test only once 14 years ago.
What do they have to do to usurp the Aussies this time round? Both teams are claiming to be the underdog. The Kiwis are the holders of the World Cup and Four Nations trophies but they lack consistency and are slow to get their mojo going.
The Australians have a dominant legacy which is difficult to ignore with regards to this annual test, yet they know if there was a time and place for an upset, this would be it.
As expected, the New Zealand camp is using that one and only win in 1997 as motivation, while the Australians are focused on the present. Being self-assured and in the moment are luxuries only teams with a dominant record can afford.
Will the Kiwis overcome the odds, the short timeframe, their lethargic starts, and the cocky Kangaroos to win? Stephen Kearney's coaching expertise has been criticised during the NRL and his selection strategy for the Kiwis has raised a few eyebrows.
It seems not everyone agrees with selecting Greg Eastwood as a late replacement. Eastwood has only played 50 minutes of league and confesses that his wrists will never be 100%. In Kearney's defence, there are not many professional athletes these days who can claim to be 100% and his selection policy has always been one of consistency, relying on players who have been there and done that who know what is expected at this level and can make the step up.
As a coach, you can't please everyone selection-wise, so if your fellow selectors agree or are too mousey to speak up in protest, then all power to you. Somehow, I doubt that the four Ts - Howie Tamati, Tony Iro, Tawerau Nikau and Tony Kemp - are mousey. Talking of squeaking, the Australian officials don't seem too happy with Gerard Beale trading in his green and gold age-grade uniform for the black and white Kiwi jersey.
As a result, they'll be reviewing the eligibility process and tightening it up a little trying to stop the flow of talent in our direction. They might want to take a leaf out of the International Federation of Netball Association's eligibility books with regards to this. Netball New Zealand learnt the hard way that Cathrine Latu's decision at a young age to play for Samoa made her uneligible for the Silver Ferns.
And therein lies a lesson for all young athletes: choose what country you will pledge allegiance to wisely, because in a global market place where players are the product that nations invest in, changing your mind and your national colours as you mature may no longer be an option.
Kearney and the Kiwis may not have the luxury of selecting the likes of Benji Marshall, Kieran Foran and Gerard Beale in the future. So if there is ever a time for them to beat the Aussies in the Anzac test, it has to be this year. Now, that would be a fairytale ending.
