When people talk about the rugby world cup as if it will buoy the spirits of voters across the country regardless of whether the all blacks win or lose, I find myself asking why.
For a start the whole thing is going to throw infrastructure into turmoil, especially in Auckland and all for a boost of 0.3% of GDP.
Then there’s the cost of the big stadium upgrades that taxpayers and rate payers are having to bear.
And after all that there’s the fact that tickets to the final cost $1500. That’s three times the weekly median income and more than a month of pension.
Of course the Prime Minister will be there in a corporate box and I’m sure most of cabinet too. And I doubt they’ll be paying for their own tickets.
Once upon a time rugby was seen as symbolic of our egalitarian society. Somehow it seems fitting that it’s now too expensive for the majority of Kiwis to attend.
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