Opinion

Don’t get too excited Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Well, I think almost everyone predicted it. The All Blacks rolled Australia in their second showing at Eden Park on Saturday.

In fact, they didn’t just easily beat the Wallabies; they demolished them in what was a record-beating performance. The most significant score they have put on the Australians, winning 57-22 and also retaining the Bledisloe Cup for a 19th straight year.

And it came after a rookie Wallaby said the All Blacks had lost their aura – although there are reports that do say the media horribly misunderstood Andrew Kellaway’s comments.

Just about every time an Australian rugby player, whether current or former, has talked about the All Blacks losing their aura, I either laugh hysterically, sigh and roll my eyes, or do a combination of both.

Wallabies’ players haven’t done themselves any favours over the years by saying these sorts of things because it tends to bite them firmly in the behind.

What it does do is motivate the All Blacks, and what typically follows is a good ol’ smashing of their opposition, which is precisely what happened.

But I must admit, when I read Kellaway’s comments for the first time, well, the way it was portrayed anyway, there was no eye-rolling or laughing from me, but more a facial expression of deep thought [whatever that looks like for you].

I started to ponder whether he may be right.

To be honest, this All Blacks squad, including last year’s squad, hasn’t got me jumping for joy. I’m not sure what to what make of it. But not because I don’t believe there are any great players because there are many stars. But more whether they have lost that frightening edge. The ability to have opposition teams curling in their locker rooms even before a side is named, such as the 2015 World Cup-winning All Blacks who had depth for days and made any team shiver.

I don’t believe this side would overly frighten many sides like the All Blacks of old, which we know is not the norm.

I think the loss of that frightening status slowly started at the 2019 World Cup when England showed us just how scared they were in that semi-final win over us.

However, after Saturday’s win, people are starting to say the All Blacks are becoming the team that we have always known them to be.

I would say wait, before making any rash conclusions, because the real test will be when they play world champions South Africa.

We’ll have a better idea of where we’re at after the year’s rugby championship is over.

So despite the big win on the weekend, I don’t think it’s time to be jumping up in excitement just yet.

Peace of Mind John Lazo-Ron

The Wairarapa Midweek is subject to New Zealand Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P.O Box 10-879, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. presscouncil.org.nz. Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication. Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment. PHOTO OF THE WEEK

A pic on the road to Bideford on a frosty fine morning. PHOTO/MATT TURNER

2021 Age Concern Wairarapa SENIORPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Supported by Carterton District Council, Masterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council

To be eligible your nominated senior person must:

• Be over 65 years of age, and a Wairarapa resident for more than ve years. • Be a committed volunteer in our community who has made a signi cant contribution either through volunteer or community work. • Have made an impact on other people’s lives through the sharing of their life experience, skills and time.

Completed forms can be dropped at the Age Concern of ce, Solway Showgrounds or posted to PO Box 865, Masterton, or emailed to manager@acww.nz

Nominations must be received by midnight Friday 17th September 2021. The winner will be celebrated at a morning tea on October 1, the International Day of Older Persons.

NOMINATION FORM

Hands down the best pie around is …

Jason Felderhof Alicetown Bakery’s steak and mushroom is ‘chef’s kiss’.

Breonna Claude I mean Fairlie pies are the best I had.

Henare Parata Auckland, Mt Eden’s Yo Mama’s Kitchen beef cheek pie. Legendary.

Eleanor Newland The steak and mushroom ones at Sammies on First St.

Sara Sutherland Bacon egg pie at Kitcheners in Martinborough.

Alanna Saunders Roxborough’s Jimmy’s Pie.

Robert Mackenzie 10cc’s the Shearer’s pie. Maureen Mcghie The ones that don’t give you indigestion.

Jackie Clark Golf Club pies.

Jocelyn Konig Homemade.

Steve Macdonald Anything with cheese in aye boy. Matthew Ogg Big beast pies.

Robyn Mackey Kuripuni hot bread shop.

Kyliee Williams Solway bakery.

Jean Cretney Home-made pies.

Angela Hansen-mrs Blue Have to say the best pie is worth the trip to the Pioneer dairy in Featherston. Potato top best hangover food ever.

Cherie Archer Trisha’s pies.

Haley Morgan Masterfry pies.

Emma Ayling Kuripuni bakery.

CONTACT US

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited for space and clarity. PHOTO/ADOBE.STOCK.COM

Miriam Coulter Humble pie.

Michele Morgan Wai pies.

Louisa Broughton 100 per cent anything from the Old Bakehouse. I love the gourmet chicken.

Richard Alan Dahlberg Windmill Café Woodville.

f Opinion

A LEGAL AND VOLUNTARY END OF LIFE CHOICE

The End of Life Choice Act 2019 (“the Act”) will come into force in November 2021. To date it has been the subject of emotive support, criticism and misinformation. The focus of this article is on the law as it presently stands. The key points to note are: Any decision you make about whether you want to use the Act’s processes, or not, cannot be made in advance. A decision cannot be made for you by your family members, or medical staff. this means your wishes on using the processes outlined in the Act, or not, cannot be included in your will, or your advance medical directive/living will. The Act cannot be used by people “wanting to turn off your life support” or make medical decisions for you when you cannot make them yourself. In certain speci c medical situations you will have the possibility of personally making your own choice to obtain medical assistance to take steps to end your life. This is a personal choice, which will be subject to personal moral and ethical beliefs. The Act passing into law does not make considering or using these processes compulsory. The Act could apply in situations of terminal illness where there is a likely life expectancy of up to six months, and in other speci ed serious medical situations. The Act does not apply to situations of disability, mental illness, or “advanced age”. The processes are only available to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and 18 years or over. At the time any decision is made, you need to be the one making it, and you need to be competent to do so. This means a person with dementia or who is otherwise not competent cannot use the processes in the Act. A doctor cannot start a discussion about the Act, or about assisted dying. If you want to discuss these matters, or the medical processes, you need to raise these subjects with your doctor yourself. If you raise these matters with your doctor, the process is: (1) The seriousness of your medical situation will be assessed. (2) A second independent doctor must also independently certify that your wishes are your own, that you are competent to make such a decision, and that you are not subject to coercion from others. (3) If those two doctors cannot agree on your competence, a referral will be made to a psychiatrist. If you change your mind, or if the doctors suspect you are being pressured into making decisions, no further action will be taken. There is currently debate in the medical and political community about the nature of the frameworks that will need to be created to ensure that there are systems available to assist people who want to use the Act’s processes. The nature of the safeguards in place, and the extent of medical training for these issues, is also under discussion. The Government and health sector have indicated that the required planning is underway, and that detailed guidance will be issued approximately one month before the Act comes into force. What form guidance takes remains to be seen. If you would like any further information about the above matters, please let me know. I offer a free appointment to discuss the above matters or any other legal matters.