Legacies on the line in a year of two big, stressful contests

New Year's resolutions often fall by the wayside within days of making them. Some people have already given up "Dry January" because of stress. Rugby World Cup in 2023 will be one of the most stressful events of New Zealand's history. New Zealander's have to make or break their professional legacies. They have better odds than Ireland, South Africa and France. New New Year is a Kiwi Leap Year. It's a year of general election and a Rugby Cup. The All Blacks are coming off their worst calendar year in decades. France, Ireland and South African have a better chance of winning the Rugby Championship.

Covid-19 virus went "New Year, New Variation" in Australia. Many people have mentally checked out from safety measures. The lone survivor of pandemic protocols appears to be sneezing into an armpit.