The racial issue
It is early days in the aftermath process, but I am not sure I see any immediate winners from the extraordinary events at the All Whites v Qatar game this week.
On one hand, "give nothing to racism" must be more than just a tired slogan. It should be a relentless focus of every sports organisation and team, and there should be no back-patting until this scourge of humanity is eradicated.
The temptation, then, is to launch into a passionate defence of the All Whites and their decision to refuse to play the second half - leading, quite coincidentally, 1-0 - after alleging racial abuse from a Qatar player against defender Michael Boxall.
But a serious issue requires a level of considered approach.
I was uncomfortable with New Zealand Football’s haste to post on social media that the international friendly had been abandoned due to a case of racial abuse.
The word "alleged" is essential here. Innocent until proven guilty and all that. And, again, racism is too serious an issue to warrant firing from the hip. It must be dealt with efficiently and clinically, and there must be serious repercussions if a player or team is found guilty.
I note, too, the rush of some to completely dismiss Qatar’s counter-claim of racism against the All Whites.
It reeks of, well, racism, if arrogant New Zealand football fans decide the claims of racism from the team with many more darker-skinned players are not worthy of investigation.
Perhaps everyone should let the process play out before making any further sweeping statements.
Wonderful Wemby
Bear with me as I make a ridiculously bold statement.
The greatest athlete in the world has just been unveiled.
French basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama was yesterday selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No 1 pick in the NBA draft.
Stand by, because this kid - he is 19 - is going to be amazing.
Check the highlight reel. He is 7-5 (2.26cm). But his ridiculous height is matched by sublime ball skills, captivating athleticism and dynamic shooting.
He is genuinely like nothing the world of sport has seen yet.
It is an interesting time when you realise how many absolute greats have just retired or are entering the twilights of their career.
LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Tom Brady, Roger Federer - what a list.
There are some prime athletes around such as Formula 1 automaton Max Verstappen, baseball megastar Shohei Ohtani and skiing queen Mikaela Shiffrin.
But I reckon the planet is ripe for a new wave of stars.
It might be Dajuan from Detroit, Lisa from London or even Alison from Auckland - but I sense it will be Victor from Versailles.
Welcome back, lads
I thought that was just a very cool story about a bunch of former Highlanders and Otago players taking ownership stakes in the Super Rugby club.
They will bring some financial heft and some business sense.
But they will also bring some heart and soul and connection. And that, as much as electric outside backs and a world-class No10, is vital to the future success of the biggest team in the South.
The name game
I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
A new study, from something called Time2play, claims a full third of New Zealand sports fans have named one or more children after their favourite sports teams or players, while one in five did the same for their pets.
There did seem to be an astonishing wave of kids called Josh after the great Kronfeld emerged in the 1990s.
I always wanted to get two cats and call them Shankly and Paisley, after the immortal Liverpool managers.
Sadly, my son Jordan McManaman Messi Salah McCullum Dickel Rowberry Meikle is more of a dog fan.
Insane numbers of the week
Cristiano Ronaldo, I declare you are a freak.
Old mate Ronnie became the first male footballer to reach 200 international appearances this week.
Two. Hundred. On top of all his games for various elite clubs.
Ronaldo predictably marked the occasion with a last-minute winner as Portugal beat Iceland.
Messi is No 1 for me. But Ronaldo fights Pele and Diego for No2.
The GOAT debate
I have always been a Nadal man. But is it time to declare Novak Djokovic the GOAT of men’s tennis?
He claimed a record 23rd grand slam singles title at the French Open, and you would not bet against him claiming three or four more.
Not a particularly likeable character, but that is irrelevant.
Switching allegiances
I have no issue with young Campbell Wright deciding to switch allegiance from New Zealand to the United States to pursue his biathlon career.
He is eligible to represent the US, and while he got a great grounding in the sport here thanks to incredibly supportive people, the reality is he can access so many more resources in the big country.
We will always be able to (sort of) claim him as one of our own.
