The Rugby Roundtable

What goes on tour… gets written here.

Maybe.

Jedi

7 October

To be truthful I need some sleep

Preparation for tour has been hectic to say the least

New kit, planning movement and travel

Did I say sponsorship?

Of course I always look forward to the pre-tour health check

Anxiety, cause – flying

I actually love to fly

But all care and concern is swept away as the quack scribbles out a prescription for a mountain of Valium

Topped with a heavy dump of sleepers

I need all the help I can get

Don’t we all?

Regardless, there are countless gear checks

Idiot checks

Cross checks

Bank Cheques

I also tend to purchase a life saving amount of socks and underpants before major travel

It also removes the anxiety of having to do washing

It’s a throw-away society

Still there’s a little tingle in the belly

I love the smell of travel in the morning

Hong Kong is truly a spectacle I am told

Oh! There’s another for the list – Eye check

21 October:

Another pre tour check this evening

I feel prepared, ready

Sedated

Yes, the trip to the Tour Doctor went well

“You get anxious on planes Jed?”

“Naturally”

“Really?”

“Truly”

“What is it that makes you uneasy?”

“The automatic weapons that Airport Security staff tend to brandish at me is what really makes nervous”

“mmmm, yes – I can understand that.  Sixty should be enough”

“Should be fine”

It is amazing what can be explained through the acts of others

Nothing can possibly phase me now as I prepare for this Tour de Force.

Contact has been made with some of my Hong Kong based contacts

They are all squaring their various activities off in an effort to be available

I have been asked to attend and host some events

Been dealing a little with local expatriate media, one freelancer in particular

Already I tell Hong Kong is going to be particularly dangerous

The locals have certain expectations that they like to share

I expect to share a little of myself as well

Some attention has been about the Rugby

The premise for the spectacle is somewhat undermined since we retained that which is ours anyway

Still it seems the people of Hong Kong are focused on delivering an event of some magnificence

Which in reality means Rugby will be the winner on the day

But there is plenty more gear checks to roll out before then

Plus a Sunday record for the Rugby Roundtable

Before the taxi to Wellington Airport arrives on Monday morning.