Smithy's Sermon: Taranaki will need to be mighty to lift the Ranfurly Shield

Well, it is time to clean the fan because enough of the proverbial has clogged it up this week.

The fallout over the decimation and likely death of the Hawke's Bay Racing spring carnival, the resignation of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Bruce Sharrock, and a national Test cricket captain resigning from his post - that does not happen very often.

It's the subject matter the media can only dream of - copy for Africa, text and opinions too.

Oh yes, don't forget the Black Ferns losing to Ireland, plus the Taini Jamison Trophy heading to the UK with the Roses.

Before the confirmation of the New Zealand Test cricket team to tour India - the formal announcement of which has been somewhat delayed I suspect, suggesting more change may be afoot - at least we have a solid weekend of on-field action to contemplate first.

An NRL Grand Final between two of the best performing clubs in modern NRL history - certainly this century anyway. Coincidentally, with two of the best coaches in Ivan Cleary and Craig Bellamy.

There's also a Ranfurly Shield challenge on Sunday!

The good ol' Naki, who have history dating way back to the 60s with the ol' Log o' Wood, probably longer. Wouldn't Barnsey love to deliver that to the faithful at Yarrow Stadium? Devon Street in New Plymouth is tailor-made for a shield parade, you would think.

But the trouble is this Tasman outfit is deeper in talent than it is in heritage. Although, as they build around these special times, their heritage is growing by the day.

If Taranaki want to grab the shield, they will have to be mighty good, in fact better than they have been. The Mako have all the hallmarks of a great provincial team, which could constitute a very, very long tenure.

And when the powers that be come to appoint a new CEO of NZTR, they should take care to give us a racing man who has spent time at a few levels, who still appreciates how widespread issues may be and how much of the industry is still bare and can remain.

Throwing everything into the North, and Ellerslie in particular, would be a dangerous theory - Aucklanders aren't Sydneysiders, or Melbournians - they got bored with Eden Park apart from the really big occasions, and they sure as hell won't be traipsing to Ellerslie every second week either.

A racing man would recognise that.

Tune into Ian Smith on SENZ Mornings, 9am-midday weekdays except Thursdays.