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Listen: 100 Years of ZB Podcast hosted by Mike Hosking

Ryan Bridge: Let's celebrate the wins

Author
Ryan Bridge ,
Publish Date
Mon, 24 Aug 2026, 6:06am
Australian coach Dave Rennie is seen before the second Test match of the International Rugby Test series between Australia and England at at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, July 9, 2022. (AAP Image/Darren England/
Australian coach Dave Rennie is seen before the second Test match of the International Rugby Test series between Australia and England at at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, July 9, 2022. (AAP Image/Darren England/

Well, well, well. Look who's feeling good on a Monday morning? 

We are. Little old New Zealand. 

Did we just beat the Springboks at Ellis Park? Yes, we did. 

Five tries to one. At altitude. Our first win in South Africa in four years. 

That's just for starters. The Black Ferns rolled the Aussies 66-19. 

If you thought the All Blacks six tries were impressive, how about 10 tries from the girls. 

Add to this the fact Liam Lawson is driving a big-boy car again, and the fact it's definitely the Warriors' year, again, and you've got yourself the ingredients of something special.

An overwhelming feeling of good vibes for a country that's been though a rough patch. 

Why stop there? We spoke about this last week but let's just remind ourselves again of S& P's latest growth outlook. 

The global ratings agency has upgraded our growth forecasts by half a percent. 

They reckon in 2026 we'll hit 2.4%. In 2027, 2.5%. 

Tick, tick, tick. 

This is, in part, because we're feeling more confident about our future. Domestic confidence is on the rise. 

And as for the Aussies? Our economy is going to grow faster than theirs.

The smart kiwis who buggered off to Sydney will surely return, no? Their housing downturn looks like the start of what we've just been through.

The fact we're predicted to grow, and not off the back of a house price boom, really is something else. 

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I shouldn't jinx any of this. 

We're a failed box-kick, or an F1 penalty, or a tariff war, or real war, away from collapse. Misery. Disaster. 

That may well be true, but why not take the wins where we get them and celebrate. 

Winter is over. Spring is springing. The sun is rising. The tide is turning. Etc. Enjoy. 

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