Opinion - Let's start with the All Blacks' expedition to a foreign land and then get to the rugby.
Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett during an All Blacks training session in Auckland on 29 June, ahead of the test match against Tonga. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga
You might have noticed that our national team have been on an excursion. To South Auckland, specifically, as they try to generate interest in the upcoming tests against Tonga and Fiji.
You say test because players will be awarded caps for appearing in these matches after all, but the games themselves will be walkovers.
Never mind.
I work hard to ration my intake from the All Blacks' public relations team. Whether it's New Zealand Rugby's (NZR) own staff, or their television rights-holding partner or just those media types who rely upon the All Blacks for their living and status, there's rarely a shortage of positive news stories.
Such as this rare departure to somewhere in Auckland other than the team's five-star hotel or Eden Park.
Tonga reserve James Faiva collides with All Blacks reserve Jordie Barrett during the All Blacks v Tonga test in Hamilton, 2019. Photo: Photosport
Now, I'm sure All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree meant well. I've no doubt he was seeking to pay the people of South Auckland a compliment, but I just kept thinking of the late Prince Philip.
The All Blacks meet Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, hence the team's visit to that part of the city.
"We had a beautiful week with the Pasifika people last week and I'm sure they'll welcome us out there again,'' Plumtree told media on Tuesday.
I don't know why the 's' in South Auckland seems to come with a capital. I'm not sure why we seek to make out like it's a separate entity. It is Auckland and the people the All Blacks met there were New Zealanders, so I'm not sure why the visit had to be given the tone of a royal tour.
I mean, it's kind of condescending, isn't it? Not least to the All Blacks who call those suburbs home.
I've written this before, but within All Blacks rugby you're either one of us or one of them. You're either wholly onboard with everything to do with the team or you're an outsider.
But, with all due respect, until the team and the powers that be at NZR seek to include us all and to take us all on the team's journey, then they'll never receive the support they so clearly crave.
South Auckland isn't foreign soil or enemy territory, it is New Zealand; and patronising comments about the warm welcome and big hearts of the local population do none of us any favours.
John Plumtree (file photo). Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks should beat Tonga by 100 points on Saturday. Never mind that Plumtree and company have few discernible plans for the backline and loose forwards and are weak at prop, they will still win handsomely.
If I had a dream for the team this year, it's that we could all take a sober view of their performances.
Let's not get carried away by victories over Tonga and Fiji, let's not pretend as if beating Australia or Argentina is an achievement. Let's see what happens against South Africa and in the end-of-year clashes with Wales, Italy, Ireland and France and then decide how things look.
If the team has won consistently and established incumbents in most positions, then they deserve the highest praise. For now, though, things look a little muddled.
First five-eighth still seems to be an unresolved contest between Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett, while we have about five fullbacks jostling for various positions in the backline. How about putting midfield backs in the midfield, for instance, and wings on the wing, rather than hoping all our star players will miraculously form a star team.
The loose forwards are full of guys who can play two or more of the three positions but few, if any, who are actually outstanding in one.
Ethan Blackadder during a New Zealand All Blacks training session in Auckland on 29 June ahead of the test match against Tonga. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga
It's nice to have depth and we can all be proud of how many elite players New Zealand has. But you can only play 15 at once and head coach Ian Foster has yet to show much ability to recognise or create a cohesive line-up.
That's his challenge and - if he can meet it - then he will be worthy of a contract extension through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. If not, then NZR will need to act.
Let's enjoy Saturday. Let's hope a few people come and watch and that Tonga can be competitive for a period. Let's hope the All Blacks don't suffer any serious injuries and that the team plays well.
But let's also take a deep breath afterwards. Let's not pretend corners have been turned or that Foster is suddenly a genius.
Most of all, let's remember that South Auckland is as much a part of New Zealand as anywhere else.
