Louisa Wall: A chance to have fun and help

Bring on the cricket and summer. I can't wait for the three game one-day series against a World XI to begin on January 22. And I trust the sponsors will offer a reward, as they did in Australia and pay (not $50,000 as our grounds are too small) some form of incentive for every six scored to the tsunami relief appeal.

Businesses and the public have joined cricket in the drive to raise relief money, and now we all will have a chance to enjoy the skills of these fine international cricketers for multiple benefit.

Well done NZ Cricket and the game's international union, FICA, for ensuring the public has a taste of our summer pastime before the Aussies arrive. Can we do it? I can't wait to find out.

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Justin Marshall obviously feels it is time to unburden himself before his departure to British premier team Leeds as he labelled the Super 12 and Tri-Nations boring.

He says he wants the Lions crusade to be his "finale".

Justin has been a valuable member of our All Black team since his debut in 1995. It is a sign of a great player to have such longevity and no one can deny his influence in the All Black jersey.

His dream of playing for the All Blacks seems not to have diminished, although it slipped slightly out of view because of his non-selection in the end of season tour last year.

He seems tired of the professional calendar, probably more because of his years of involvement than anything else.

The structures and systems that the NZRFU has created are not at fault and guarantee a viable business and standard of living for our professional rugby players.

Marshall has experienced the glory of the black jersey and it seems that there is more to his life than this All Black story, as others have been given a chance and stepped up to take the responsibility of the number 9 jersey.

Marshall has been a wonderful servant to the jersey, so his departure in July will signal the closing of a legacy, although in some ways it will continue as he has helped to ensure that the half-back mob is in excellent shape.

This is a testament to his leadership as the number one halfback in New Zealand for a decade, pushing and leading the others in the pack.

Once people become tired, a change of scenery or vocation are the only options and Marshall has provided a practical alternative for himself.

I am looking forward to the first game on February 25 between the Highlanders and the Blues in Dunedin and to an essential competition that will select our best to take on the Lions.

And I am sure that the newer and relatively inexperienced members of our Super 12 teams are not bored by that prospect at all.

* Louisa Wall is a former New Zealand rugby and netball representative