Editorial: ABs are still hot property right now

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Had enough of the All Blacks and their back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs; their long list of retiring conquistadors; their prospects for knighthoods etc.

Well, you better turn to another page because it seems the mighty ABs are becoming even hotter news in the aftermath of their destruction of the Aussies at Twickenham when even the once-pariahed Wayne Barnes was on their side.

In the light of their historic third World Cup win, their sphere of influence has expanded exponentially.

Prime Minister John Key has, of course, been keen to buddy up to the big guys in black, hoping some of their lustre will rub off. Reflected glory and the feelgood factor are always worth a few votes and one fondly remembers how England's victory in the 1966 soccer World Cup (4-2 over then West Germany ... seems like only yesterday) gave incumbent Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson a nice boost in the polls.

And one report last week suggested that Richie & Co could hold sway in our upcoming flag referendum, that glorious evening at Twickers apparently pushing the silver fern into the subconscious of the nation along with a lot of warm, fuzzy feelings.

Elsewhere, financial pundits say the corporate world and investors should take a leaf out of the All Blacks playbook. Possibly the one that says smash anyone who gets in your way?

Another report confirms that the ABs "brand" is now at such a premium that it seems like a licence to print money.

Brand Finance says that the World Cup win has made the brand worth US$150 million and "the All Blacks could command US$500 million within a decade" - though not sure why they measure Hansen's boys in US dollars, but either way sponsors and broadcasters are licking their lips.

If this is true, I wonder what the fourth tier of New Zealand's national sport is worth.

Wanganui's rep team excelled itself to take out the Heartland Championship's Meads Cup in almost as stunning a style over South Canterbury as the All Blacks mustered against Australia.

Okay - it's not the Webb Ellis Cup but if the ABs are valued at US$150 million, surely the blue-and-blacks (now there's a nudge in the flag referendum) are worth a few bucks.

I don't know if the sponsors are lining up outside Cooks Gardens, but let's hear it for Steelform Wanganui who have stuck with our rugby boys through thick and thin.