BRAVO the Wallabies. Not for their loss against the valiant Samoan side, which was dispiriting to say the least - but for what happened the following day. The side headed down to Coogee Beach for a recovery session in the freezing water and upon the soft sand and, as they were finishing, they were spotted by four young men with intellectual disabilities - getting some fresh air with their carer. One of them, Tolga, a young Turkish-born lad, decides he wants to do the haka to ''the big one'', who proves to be second-rower Nathan Sharpe. Good idea, Tolga. The carer walks over to Sharpe, who has just got out of the surf, to ask would he mind. Yes, Sharpe would mind.
For the haka to be done properly, it shouldn't be done just to him, he explains, but to the entire team, which he promptly organises. And, so, there the Wallabies stand, respectfully, as Tolga unleashes a singularly impressive version of the haka. Upon completion, the Wallabies applaud, crowd around, shake his hand and give him lots of high-fives for his trouble. In the words of his carer: ''Tolga left Coogee a celebrity, with a story to tell for the rest of his days in his own unique way.'' The great All Blacks coach and All Black himself Sir Brian Lochore - who I am proud to call a friend - is fond of saying, ''Better men make better All Blacks'', and it is a wonderful principle. The Wallabies are very good men to have so reacted - reminiscent of the 1991 Wallaby World Cup champions under Nick Farr-Jones - and, under the circumstances, I think we'll have to take that as the best sign of the triumphs to come this year. And good on you, Tolga.
