Our Cup can runneth over!

The Seventh Rugby World Cup, has dispelled most of the observations in Gordon McLauchlan's 1976 book about New Zealanders… 'The Passionless People'. We must use this amazing tournament, the best-ever, to confirm that we always were, world-class!  

Unless, we keep believing the bleaters, whingers and moaners, who regularly intrude into our psyche, endeavouring to keep us in two minds about our potential. Are we equal to the rest of the world, and better in many instances, or are we dependents? Hello?

Most of these sad sacks live here! They dwell amongst us, peddling problems poison, that are but a reflection of their own inadequacies! Here is the message… per head of population we are probably second only to the Scots, for making a difference in the world.

We no longer have to heed the chorus of negativism from those who would have us accept a down-grade. For starters, by giving women the vote before any other country did, we Kiwis created democracy. The so-called 'Arab Spring' has but one example to follow… Ours!

We conquered the world's highest peak first. Thank you, Sir Ed Hillary. To create nuclear weaponry, which helped end a world war, and alternative energy (although still dodgy) you had to split the atom. Merci, Lord Rutherford.

Offer any sport, from motor racing, yachting and softball to netball, tennis and rugby, and we have battled our way to the winner's podium. First to arrive in Antarctica, making the inaugural, undocumented, 'heavier-than-air flight' or introducing pensions… we were first, again. Yep!

We gave the world its first 8-hour working day, the very Act we celebrated as Labour Day. Bungy jumping, the Hamilton jet, the Aquada (car boat), the referees whistle, jogging, the Martin jetpack, disposable hypodermic syringes and spreadable butter, all part of our fantrail of triumphs.
    
A quick correction to our collective personification for the RWC: we are not a 'stadium of four million'. Our current population is 4.41 million. About 600,000 Kiwis live elsewhere. You first heard it here, Team; we are… 'a stadium of five million!'. Yesss!