The struggling Highlanders . . .
It took a while for me to decide whether this NZRU bail-out plan was a welcome boost for the Highlanders or a sign the end is nigh.
Actually, I'm still not sure.
If you are a ratepayer angry at the amount of public money being poured into the new stadium, you have possibly choked at the idea of the Dunedin City Council getting a place on the Highlanders board.
You may see it as a sign the council has not just jumped into bed with professional rugby but is about to engage in some serious lovemaking.
And the most pessimistic are probably reading what the NZRU has said about its problem franchise and predicting the Highlanders might be gone from Dunedin in a matter of years.
. . . finally getting some help
For now, I'll try to consider this plan a welcome piece of news for a struggling sports organisation.
The Highlanders are a small fish in a big rugby pond.
They're struggling to recruit and retain players, and as a result they are limited to striving for competitiveness, with no realistic hope of success.
They play in front of modest crowds.
Outside the borders, many scoff at them and promote their extinction.
Years ago, I argued the NZRU needed to do more to look after its most vulnerable team.
This has to be seen as a start.
But - and it's a big but - changes at board level can do only so much for the Highlanders.
They need players, and the NZRU must start funnelling more talent into Dunedin.
Reality bites for Otago
It's impossible not to feel some sympathy for Steve Martin.
While it's arguable whether Martin deserved to be appointed for a fourth year as Otago coach following a disastrous 2008 campaign, he bleeds blue and gold and he's working hard to bring some cheer to a moribund rugby province.
Martin has, to an extent, been hamstrung by the high turnover of players since he replaced Wayne Graham.
In his first year, 2006, he used 38 players, a staggering 29 of whom are now unavailable.
Add in five more players who appeared in 2007 and are now gone, plus three more from last season, and there are 46 players out.
That's three full starting Xvs. Ouch.
Questions have to be asked about Otago's retention policy, particularly how players who should now be hitting their prime such as prop Chris King, flanker George Whitelock, halfback Chris Smylie, midfield back Callum Bruce and fullback Glen Horton, were allowed to leave.
The Lions limp tonight
So far, the Lions tour of South Africa has been all about eye gouging and a very odd Springbok coach and the realisation that the best of Britain and Ireland is still a match for the best international team.
But take a look at the massive list of injuries suffered by the tourists up to tonight's final test:Brian O'Driscoll (concussion), Gethin Jenkins (broken cheekbone), Adam Jones (dislocated shoulder), Lee Byrne (thumb), Euan Murray (ankle), Leigh Halfpenny (thigh), Ryan Jones (concussion), Stephen Ferris (knee), Tom Shanklin (shoulder), Tomas O'Leary (ankle) and Jerry Flannery (elbow) all had to withdraw during or before the tour due to injuries sustained on the pitch.
James Hook (concussion), Andy Sheridan (back), Riki Flutey (knee), Mike Blair (foot), Keith Earls (shoulder) and Andy Powell (hand) have all had to miss games because of injuries.
No wonder respected Lions coach and former centre Ian McGeechan said he sometimes winced at the ferocity of the impact felt by modern-day players.
"If I get near half the stuff they do, I think it looks too brutal for me," McGeechan said.
Start cheering for Birmingham
An interesting email arrived in The Last Word inbox this week comparing English football teams to nations of the world. Some highlights:
Arsenal - France. Still a big player on the international scene but in recent years has become the perennial bridesmaid. Retains the ability but perhaps there is too much emphasis on one man who seems to constantly miss the important events.
Birmingham - New Zealand. Living in the shadows of their larger neighbour for years. Has an opportunity to develop to the level required.
Liverpool - Germany. Used to be the big player in the international arena. Have suffered for years as a result. Tendency to self-destruct. A strong history but still attempting to regain that top spot. May just do that, but with foreign aid.
Manchester United - USA. Bullies. Arrogant and motivated by greed. Have become the foremost leader due to a combination of industry, luck and planning. Very strong ruler who loathes to admit defeat. Shows no signs of weakening despite various setbacks.
West Ham - England. Unwanted leader and looking for direction. Used to be a power but way back in the day. Would love to have kept its prized assets but outside circumstance dictated otherwise. Has the potential and keeps producing but changes need to be made.
Predicting the Ashes
I've predicted an Australian win in the Ashes every year since 1993, when a dazzling young Australian batsman called Michael Slater emerged on the scene.
That means I've only been wrong once, in 2005. Who knew I was such an expert on cricket? So here goes:Australia to win 3-1.
Simon Katich to be the surprise leading run-scorer for Australia, and Mitchell Johnson the most prolific wicket-taker. Ravi Bopara and James Anderson will be the stars for England.
And at least one burly English all-rounder will have at least one drunken incident.
Just a matter of time
So, what have you picked in the sweep for the first doping scandal to emerge once the Tour de France actually starts? Three days? Four?
