I’ve read with horror several reports of some distasteful reactions to the All Blacks loss.  There are some petty, selfish, spiteful people out there. 

I’m a New Zealander and proud of it.  I’m an All Black fan and proud of it.  The All Blacks are a part of me and I’m a part of the All Blacks.

Discovering that there are people who seem to think the All Blacks owe them personally, and act as if they have been personally affronted by the fact that they happened to finish a rugby game 2 point behind another fantastic team to the point where All Black flags are burned (I mean how old are you?) are New Zealanders is kind of like discovering there is no Santa Claus. 

I read reports of All Black flags being discarded.  Of people embarrassed about wearing AB gear.

For me New Zealand and New Zealanders epitomise fairness and humour.  Sure it’s OK to be bitter and angry at the result (I personally left the house in my dressing gown and wandered up the street so as not to wake the sleeping child, or teach her a whole lot of new rude words…), but we cannot change the result, therefore it is time for us to accept the result. 

Yes we put pressure on our All Blacks.  They are doing what we love (or for those of you my age would have loved ) to do.  They are the ultimate expression of our own passion for rugby, even of our own playing ability.  They’re our team and our boys – when they “fail” we fail with them.  When they hurt we hurt.  When they win we bathe in their glory.

To that end I suggest we show some support and solidarity and am unilaterally declaring Friday 12 October 2007 “Unofficial TSF Wear All Black Gear to Work Day”.

Wherever you are in the world, whatever you do I suggest we make a statement of support for our team.  Most/many of us have some AB supporters gear – jersey, polo shirt, fleecey whatever:  Wear it on Friday. 

Wear your AB gear to work on the bus or train or in the car and change into work clothes if so required when you get there. 

Don’t work?  Wear it to the shops, kindy, school, pub or dole office.

Don’t have AB gear?  Wear a Super 14 or provincial jersey, a club shirt, a Kiwi’s league jersey, All Whites top or Black Caps shirt, a tee-shirt with a fern on it (available from the TSF website…) or just a black singlet.

Join in if you feel the same way I do about our team.  Don’t if you are petty, bitter or selfish.  I don’t care – I’ll do it myself and be a movement of one if need be and all of Hervey Bay will know I’m a New Zealander and proud of my All Blacks.

(For all you supporters of the team from the western side of the Tasman Sea – feel free to wear your canary and green to do the same… and Fijians … and Soctsmen… )