Is it too soon to suggest that the All Black victory at the Rugby World Cup is being used as a distraction from the more important social, economic and political issues going on?
Are the All Blacks our bread and circuses - extravagant entertainment, offered as an expedient means of pacifying discontent or diverting attention from a source of grievance?
It probably is too soon to suggest that the spontaneous and at times manufactured public expression of joy, excitement, pride and enthusiasm is politically driven, but politicians and state officials will ride this feel-good wave for as long as it lasts and will be hoping it takes them all the way to the next polling booth dripping in reflected glory.
I'm a great believer in letting the team enjoy their moments of glory with those they truly love and cherish.
They were the people who performed, who sacrificed, who delivered when it counted, not the politicians, or the sponsors, or the fans.
The All Blacks, however, have been extra gracious in embracing their fans during this World Cup campaign, and that is admirable, but as fans we also need to consider when enough is enough and give them some space.
Perhaps the generous spirit was best exemplified by Sonny Bill's gesture of giving his gold medal to 14-year-old Charlie Line, a young man cheeky enough to try his luck and whose efforts paid off more than he ever would have dreamed.
How was SBW to know that Line was from a prestigious school, was a globe trotter, and wasn't even a New Zealander? Does that matter?
Privileged young people deserve luck just as much as the under-privileged but it does take the ''aaawwww'' factor out of the story a bit.
Meanwhile, other sports teams and codes are waiting patiently for the glow from SBW's halo and the Webb Ellis Cup to dim so that they, too, can get a piece of media attention.
If you search hard enough you'll find out that quite a bit has been going on in other sports that matter to some New Zealanders.
You'll discover that the Silver Ferns have appointed a new coach in Janine Southby, who has coached the Southern Steel franchise since 2013. The Kiwis league team
was convincingly beaten by England, 26-12, on Monday (too close to the RWC!), the Wellington Phoenix football franchise has been denied a 10-year licence extension by Football Federation Australia, the Breakers have started well in the ANBL, and Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, riding Prince of Penzance - a horse with a modest past and numerous injuries and health issues.
Images of Payne being congratulated by her brother, Steven Payne, who works as a strapper for the winning stable and has Down syndrome, have pretty much trumped SBW's gold giveaway for soppy factor.
Perhaps the All Black triumph and celebrations are a welcome distraction from other issues like TPPA, the flag debate, the dreary weather, human rights, wars and natural disasters.
In that respect, the team and the brand very much are like bread and circuses for those of us seeking a reprieve from the overwhelming nature of these complex issues.
But their dazzle will fade (eventually) and we will have to turn our attention to the heavier and more challenging aspects of life.
In the meantime, we'll feed off the Melbourne Cup's feel-good factor.
