There is a lot of respect for the All Blacks. Some believe the brand is a big part of who we are and what we stand for. But in the end they are just sportsmen and rugby is just a game. And before another long and tedious Super season even kicks off, we are subjected to the New Zealand media's nauseating veneration of these guys.

It started with Tony Veitch – a man who despite his off-the-field indiscretions, is a polished and likeable radio performer despite his undeniably ingratiating treatment of all his guests.

Then along comes Tony revealing online: ‘The Secret World of the All Blacks' exclusive insights that would bring the nation to a standstill.

Apparently Sam Whitelock wears the same style black and white undies every match. The All Blacks play cards, it's by invitation only. On the eve of a test the All Blacks get a chocolate treat. On game day the All Blacks eat poached chicken, pasta and poached eggs mid-afternoon. The seats on the bus to the ground are allocated on the number caps won. And the All Blacks play that turgid ballad ‘The Gambler' on the hotel bus when they have won.

The question is did this mindlessness deserve space in mainstream media? Did we really need to know? Do we care? I hope not. There is a reason sport is on the back pages of a newspaper and just before the weather on the TV news. Because it doesn't really matter. It doesn't really affect us.

When I saw this mind-numbing nonsense I had a grump and let it go. But then TVNZ hires the services of a lesser, a second or third tier ex- All Black called Andy Ellis. His first foray into peak time TV viewing was interviewing All Black captain Keiran Read about his passion for gardening.

‘Keiran opens up' we are promised, only to learn that Read finds 'digging a few holes therapeutic”. I feel enlightened and uplifted.
Spare us!

Brian McNamara, Bureta.