This weekend I only caught snippets of the Lions’ great win over Geelong, but what an impressive second half it was, and a runaway finish in the end. The Brisbane Broncos’ victory, which saw them advance to the grand final, was true grit. They overcame a 14–0 halftime deficit to run out winners 16–14. As much as I respect Penrith, it was great to see someone else make the GF, especially as the Broncos haven’t won a premiership in 19 years.

The other game I did catch was the Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and the All Blacks. I was playing in a veterans’ rugby tournament in Bathurst, and we wrapped up just before kick-off. After the carnival, we settled in to watch the Bledisloe. 

I was really annoyed at the result (NZ won again), but when I found out on Monday morning that Winston Peters, the NZ Foreign Minister, had made a very principled and sensible stand at the UN against the flawed, futile, and counterproductive virtue-signalling recognition of the non-existent state of Palestine, I suddenly saw our little brother NZ in a different light.

Winston Peters politely but firmly set out why NZ was not going to recognise Palestine at this stage — basically because there is no state that fits the definition of a state to recognise. Not to mention, the war is not yet over, Hamas is still in control of Gaza, hostages have not been released, and Israel’s right to exist has not been acknowledged. You shouldn’t recognise a state that wants to destroy the one next door.

I went away feeling pleased the Wallabies got beaten.

Now, I know politics and sport shouldn’t mix — but let’s face it, they do. After all, as a callow youth I attended demonstrations against the Springboks in 1971 and joined lefty luminaries such as my old schoolmate Liz O’Brien at vigils outside the South African embassy.

So, apart from feeling proud of our little brothers and sisters over the ditch for their principled stance on Palestine, I do feel, on a purely rugby basis, that the Wallabies were robbed. And robbed by the French referee, who never let us get into the game in the second half. Despite the referee, Australia came close to winning and was only two points behind towards the end of the match.

I suggest the ARU get a lot more vocal when it comes to referee appointments. In fact, a NZ referee would have been better, as they are usually very competent and fair. The game also needs to be made a lot simpler — get rid of unnecessary rules. The fewer the rules, the harder it is for referees to stuff up the game.

Whilst Australia lost, I think with a fair and competent referee we probably would have won. To my mind, there is nothing between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in terms of ability now. The South African Springboks are a different story altogether. At this stage, they are the team to beat for the World Cup.