New Zealand rugby has struggled along in near-empty construction sites this year. The World Cup has come to the rescue, putting juice in the veins.
No offence, Fiji, but I was feeling a touch Samoan. Grey Lynn had apparently adopted the Samoan team and this felt like an honour.
One night last week, Samoan supporters descended upon our shops and set up shop, saying they were raising money to support the team. Late into a cold night, women were still selling a delicious bacon hock soup, although the pineapple pies had long gone. Where was all the IRB money, I wondered?
There was something nice about the late fete, and something disturbing.
A World Cup was on, and you could connect with one of the teams at a local fair. But England don't sell Cornish pasties for the cause.
And the well-connected heavyweights don't face the sort of playing schedule the Pacific Islanders have been landed with.
Samoa's victory yesterday means they can still beat Wales for a place in the quarter-finals.
But where Samoa have a five-day break before trying to upset South Africa in their final Pool D game, the Springboks get eight days.
If we get the IRB drift right, the tournament would have to be trimmed to create a level playing field, so trim they must.
Giving all contenders an equal shot at making the playoffs should be mandatory as opposed to scheduling against certain teams in order to accommodate Namibia and Co, who are out of their depth. Eight days versus five is an insult in a heavy-contact sport.
The fundraising food stalls are wonderful. But what Fiji, Samoa and Tonga require are strong advocates in the halls of power. They need to set out their stall.
Their teams are professionally orientated and no longer rely on wild or frilly football. Their administrators should follow suit. They might consider taking a case to the international sports court because this is about natural justice. The soup may be needed again to support that cause.
