Today is the state funeral of Sir Edmund Hillary. There has been wall to wall media coverage since he died last week. An icon of New Zealand, a national hero, has brought 10’s of thousands to walk past his coffin in Auckland before the state funeral today.

One of the greatest known explorers has had a huge impact on NZ. He put NZ on the map and has since climbing Everest been known not just as a mountaineer but a philanthropist and father figure to the country.

The Royal Family have taken a beating though after it was announced that noone would be flying over for the state funeral. Even an obscure minor royal would have been seen as giving Sir Ed the recognition he deserved. Instead he’s got the Governor General and our PM to be a poor exuse for royal representation. The NZ republicans are loving it.

It just wasn’t to be – again. The curse of the Rugby World Cup has hit New Zealand again and we watched the pain as a 13-0 half time advantage ebbed away to a 18-20 loss.

How can it be that this could happen – with as many people willing the All Blacks to victory you’d think a little bit of luck would have come their way. Not knowing a huge amount about rugby but I know enough to see a side complacent in their position throw it all away.

It’s been a bitter sweet day as England beat off the aussies so perhaps there will be a repeat of 4 years ago yet with JW to repeat his role in bringing the cup back to England. I hardly dare hope.

My biggest thoughts are for those people who’re heading up to the northern hemisphere to see the semi and finals. At least one mate of mine might travel on his UK passport and start to wear his England shirt instead of supporting the mightie AB’s.

Tis a sad day indeed but MT will have a field day at the water cooler after taking lost of stick about England for weeks.

Can’t help but think that Helen Clarke should have stayed well away from the match as she’s having as much luck with politics as the ABs are with their rugby.

After all the excitement of winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, the kiwis are back obsessing about the real Cup to be won. Everyday there is plenty of analysis of the racing overnight as the lead story on the news.

Seems that the last couple of days have not been good for Team NZ. Firstly, they waited for Allingi to make a mistake, opphs, then they didn’t and went onto win. Last night (yesterday in Valencia) seems that it was the kiwi’s making the mistakes.

So it’s 2-3 down to the kiwis, not a good look!

As America’s Cup fever starts in earnest, there’s been outrage here at the suggestion that if NZ wins and brings home the cup then sponsor, Emirates Airline will want to the kiwis to defend the title from Dubai. Who ever heard of such tosh?!

Not taking any chances though, we’ve sent Auntie Helen to Spain and she’s making in clear to King Carlos that the kiwis won’t stand for any monkey business where the Americas Cup is concerned. Of course the America’s Cup is coming home to New Zealand.

For all those supporters in Valencia, here’s the right t-shirt for you to be wearing. Available from all Line 7 shops or online from www.emiratesteamnzstore.com. Of course MT is already the proud wearer as his wife went to Auckland earlier in the year and all he got was a t-shirt!