A neat story

There were lots of human interest stories yesterday and today with the naming of the All Black side. But we reckon that this one, with its associated picture is the pick of the bunch - the Dom-Post reports:

An overwhelmed Amie Jane, wife of Cory and mother of three, found out on Sunday that her man had made the squad but was under strict instructions not to reveal anything until the official announcement was made.

"I had to avoid people because I can't lie, so I wasn't able to see family members because they would see it all over my face. It got to the point where I was avoiding phone calls and text messages."

Excitement aside, it would be difficult to cope with her husband being away so much during the Cup campaign, with kids Cassius, five, Tennyson, 22 months, and Prisseis, four months, to look after.

"I'm kind of putting it in my mind that I'm going to be a solo parent for the next couple of months.

"Cassius said the other day: `I want my dad to come home now,' and I said, `He's busy being a hero.' But it's going to be worth it when we win."

We love Amie Jane's optimism. A couple of months ago, Cory Jane was injured and out of form, and playing in a team that was in the process of disintegrating. The Rugby World Cup must have seemed a million miles away. But now he's been selected, and he has already shown that he is a player who thrives on the big occasion. There won't be a bigger one is his career than a Rugby World Cup tournament in his own backyard.

And Amie Jane is predicting big things; read on:

Although there have been more than 1000 All Blacks, her husband would be one of the few who could say they had won a World Cup, she confidently predicted.

"When he's an old man he will be able to sit back in his rocking chair and go, `Woo-hoo'."

There have actually been well over 1000 All Blacks; Jarrod Hoeata became All Black #1109 when he played against Fiji in Dunedin a few weeks back. Only 30 so far can claim to have been World Champions. We hope that number doubles one Saturday night in October!

And to the wives, partners and families of the chosen thirty players; thanks for the scarifices you are making to make those rocking-chair moments possible!