Japan buried

RWC: Japan slaughtered by 83 - 7. We now find our second best 5/8 is Weepu. As I have always said they are better coaches than selectors. I still think they don't know what their best team is.

Anyway it is a fine day today and 3 good games with the Oz - Ireland clash looking to be a likely contest although Australia should - should - push them aside quite easily. We shall see.

Cost of Living: When you are on a fixed income and with low interest rates this is of importance. So here are the Stats Departments figures over the past 5 years -

Cigarettes and tobacco — up 42.5 per cent (Good!!)

· Hospital services — up 31.2 per cent

· Household energy — up 31.1 per cent

· Primary and secondary education — up 28.9 per cent

· Food — up 27.1 per cent

· Postal services — up 24.9 per cent

· Tertiary and post-school education — up 24.1 per cent

· Average weekly wage — up 21.2 per cent - but if your income is fixed !!

· Outpatient services — up 19.7 per cent

· Home ownership costs — up 18.2 per cent

· Alcohol — up 17 per cent (good)

· Rent — up 11.1 per cent up

· Vehicle purchase — up 6.5 per cent

· Telecommunication services — down 1.7 per cent

· Early childhood education — down 22.5 per cent

· Audiovisual and computing equipment — down 50.4 per cent (strong NZ $)

· Telecommunication and equipment — down 61.9 per cent