Territorial rugby style and the red bits on maps of the world.

Subject: Territory rugby style and the red bits on a map of the world.

So now we know if you want to penalise the All Blacks you have to send off at least two men when a penalty is called. Sending one off only makes them mad, only makes them dig deeper into their skills toolbox to craft the basics of territory and minor penalties. With 14 men competing against 15 they kept the Lions at bay. They snaffled points by keeping the play in Lions territory and in the first twenty minutes of the second half were easing their way to a mammoth victory being so unevenly matched. Then somewhat against the run of the play, two Lions tries, good tries which pulled the game level. Playing at last in territory where penalty kicks count the Kiwis were deemed to have taken a man out whilst in the air. A decision which, according to the rules protect the players from injury and had to be awarded but which I thought harsh and it sealed the game.

It was a moment when fate rewarded the people who had travelled 12.000 miles to watch their composite team the Lions win and level the series. For them it was worth the win, to go back to their hotel and still hope for a win next Saturday.  To hold their heads up high and dream to spin a story of having been there  when 'our boys' beat the All Blacks on their own territory in a windy wet Wellington.

The Kiwis are also right to be proud of their team. They are a nation which seems to have got it right in amalgamating the indigenous with the newcomer. Not an easy task and not replicated in too many other countries.
The Hakka seems to have been used within the schools to emphasise the unique make of their society. They use it as a talisman teaching the boys the significance of this cultural tool to unite New Zealanders into one nation and it seems to work. Not known for their flamboyance, these down to earth folk understand their heritage and seem to have become cooperative in being good at what they do. Raising sheep, to building world beating yachts the empathy they have for admiring people who are hard working and level headed. Keeping their feet on the ground, of seeing the country as belonging to them and not some elitist establishment group who own everything money can buy. Land on each side of a river in New Zealand is for common use. Fishing rights for instance are not the domain of the landowner and are held as common for all people who live there. Scenic beauty of which the county abounds, has not been sold off as some sort of theme park attraction where the gentry/speculator can prospect off some natural phenomenon. The heritage of the common man, not tainted by exploitative money interests.
I hope we the Lions win the final test but I take my hat off to this nation which has fashioned a way of life and a respect for its citizens as a whole, which goes against the trend in so much in so many of the countries which used to be shown, in my childhood as red on a world map.