Welcome to all our new readers, 400-odd in the last week alone, though I suspect some of that growth is down to our magnificent competition, giving you the chance to win one of 50 Vodafone Warriors jerseys. If you haven’t entered yet, this week is your last chance. All the details are in the newsletter. By the time you read this I will be jetting my way on Air NZ, the best airline in all the world in my humble opinion, to Australia for the Dally M Awards, the pinnacle of achievement in the NRL season. All the smart money is on Cameron Smith picking up the Dally M Medal for a second time, but I confess I am not much bothered, although I really love the Dally Ms because it is a wonderful chance to catch up with a lot of old friends and some of the legends of the great game of league. I’ll be travelling with Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George and chairman Jim Doyle, two good blokes who it is also a pleasure to be around. Then it is back on Air NZ to get home, so there is no NRL final – at least not live anyway – for me this year. Everyone is asking who I am pulling for, and I have to say Melbourne. The Storm are an outstanding team and leave nothing to chance, yet aren’t scared to call in help if they think it is needed, which they did ahead of their semi-final, having All Black World Cup captain Richie McCaw in to speak to the team. On the other hand the Cowboys have defied the odds week after week and what they have achieved in reaching the final can not be ignored. No one gave them the chance with Matt Scott and Johnathan Thurston out, and they looked dead and buried going into the final day of the regular season, only making the eight after the Dogs beat the Dragons. Since then they were rated no chance to beat the Sharks, the Eels or the Roosters, yet did every time. Can’t wait, it will be a ripper. And finely a big congratulations to our own world champion Joseph Parker Who won his fight even after having to chasing FURY around the ring for the whole fight well done champion. And go the All Black against Argentina too. WAS A Nice touch from the boys when they messaged me to ask me to pass on the congratulations to Joseph Parker after his victory over Hughie Fury . Sir Peter Charles Leitch KNZM QSM Chief NZ Ambassador for Rugby League World Cup 2017