Hi Francis - re Spiro. He lives in Sydney. I haven't got a number for him. I suggest you might have Paddianne Neely's number or Bill Francis might. The Neelys in particular were v close to Spiro. Regards KQ

A great, great Kiwi turns 70 today. Here he is celebrating his birthday a few years ago with a great mate. It's Sir John Walker with Rod Dixon!

Today'sTriviaQuestion: Who was the last NZer in a significant profile pos'n who had the nickname 'Chippie?' Answer at 4pm NZT Sunday.😆!

Great golf tonight from Dubai. After all the snarky stuff during the week between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy (err, throwing a tee🤣!) the two finished 1-2 for the Hero Dubai Classic. Rory won the big prize - $us1,500,000!

Time to get nostalgic 🤔 What is your first RWC memory?

Very sad the Chateau Tongariro is closing this weekend. It was such a unique part of New Zealand...mind you, even for a 1-nght stopover the weather could vary sometimes!

Bravo 22 y.o New Zealand athlete Sam Tanner. Today in New York he has set a new personal best PB for the 1 mile run. Sam's new mark is 3mins 51.7, only JWalker and NickWillis are faster

This man is a genius, talking about future-proofing our communities against climate change & this weeks storms. 'We can't have any party politics involved; it will be hugely tricky & costly but we must do it.' On TV1 today & other times; Thanks Prof Bruce Glavovic, Massey Uni.

MurrayHalberg was a very dignified & great Kiwi. The glittering Awards Show in his memory last night did not deserve the low-rent, foul-mouthed speech given by the father of the night's Top winner, Zoe Sadowski-Synnott. (The F-word 4 times) In future can he be told to stay away.

Looking forward seeing Tom Blundell bat for NZ v England 2nd test. (He's playing on BasinReserve, in front of Wellington College - his old school) His latest test scores include;138,106,96,96,88*74,57,55,47,44,24 (only 3 scores less then 24 since 2022) 'Lumen Accipe et Imperti.'

TV1 in New Zealand ran the Scott Robertson All Black coaching announcement story first in their main News Bulletin last night; THEN came a Climate Change story, THEN Mr Xi meets Mr Putin. At least we can say we've got our priorities right! Go Razor! Gotta luv this country! 🤣!

Today’s young reporters omit to mention Razor Robertson’s link to one of the all-time Wallaby greats. Good enough to be in my 1999 ‘World‘RugbyGreats’ book. Greg Davis born Matamata, died far too young in Rotorua aged 39. A great captain in 16 tests & Razor’s Uncle!

Here in 2023 I really, really, REALLY love watching the Hurricanes play. Fast&elusive they brilliantly back-up to score some thrilling tries! To repeat I really, REALLY love watching their whole squad in action (& I haven't said that about a rugby team for few years)

V

NewZealand has two very good monthly rugby magazines. Can we conclude from these two latest cover shots that the editorial staff of both don't talk to each other? Or, independently, they just have to make do with what is handed to them for use from the NZRU bosses?

Who do I write to in the World Rugby bosses office to complain about the overuse of the commentary term ‘early doors.’ And what, pray tell, does it mean?🥴!

Whineray, Lochore, Mourie, Leslie, Umaga, McCaw, Read? All great dignified All Black captains. Would they have treated an enthusiastic fan this way? 🤔IMHO....I doubt it.

SkyTV started their telecast by saying ‘Who was the best All Black who NEVER went to the RugbyWorldCup?’ John Kirwan said ‘Ma’a Nonu!’..’ Wrong; Nonu played in the winning 2015 team…(and scored a try!) I was at Twickers & saw him!!

In recent days NZ's newsmedia has been giving praise to the new national college rugby champions; Southland BoysHighSchool. My picture shows the great tradition of rugby at SBHS. They quietly say they're the only college in NZ that has the oval ball set into its School emblem!

Congrats South Africa for 4 Rugby World Cups. Yet a peek into the records shows in winning those finals, the Springboks have scored just 2 tries but kicked 18 penalties. (+ 2 conversions & 2 d.goals) Is this type of top game one the world wants into the future? Just sayin'...🤣!