Arise, Sir Colin!

I'm rapt that All Black legend Colin Meads is to accept his knighthood. Actually, many have been calling him Sir Colin for the past few years - even though the previous Labour Government unilaterally removed such titles and installed its own PC, but unrecognisable honours system.
As far as the Saint is concerned - and he suspects much of the country - John Key gained so many brownie points by overturning Labour's unrecognisable honours system and re-introducing knighthoods; that it would take a whole year of Melissa Lee clanger's to dent his reputation. In fact, it is another reason the Saint was so happy to see the back of Helen Clark and her art-loving, bloke-hating, finger pointing, smug, feminist cabal.
If there was ever a New Zealander who epitomises what knighthoods should really mean it is Colin Earl Meads. Not only is he recognised as the NZ's greatest All Black, back in the days when that meant something. Not like today's "professional players" who are wrapped in cotton wool and paid obscene amounts to lay around playing X-box or date C-list models, when they are not playing or being "rested". Back in the day, Pinetree not only played for free and the only rest he got was on the bus back to the hotel after training. In his day, All Black tours to the UK and South Africa were at least three months long and he would have to leave Verna running the farm and pay another bloke to help out. In those days, he would play a test on Saturday and be back crutching hoggets on his King Country farm on Sunday. The only 'Gym' Pinetree knew, was a bloke called "Jim" who played in the the opposing team, and training was centred around running up and down the back of the farm delivering fenceposts - not having to have his hand held by some "motivational mind coach" telling him he was special.
Colin Meads played 55 test matches for the All Blacks - which may not sound much in today's parlance of a test match every weekend, but let's put this into perspective. Meads made his debut for the All Blacks in 1958 and continued playing at the highest level until 1971. What is even more remarkable, is that the main reason he gave up was an accident in his farm land rover which broke his back forced him out of the game in 1972 and he came back and played a series of farewell matches -- against the All Blacks -- in 1973. During his time, Meads was not only feared and respected all over the rugby playing world, but he used his god-like status to champion charities like IHC. Following his retirement Pinetree also put much back into the game he loved coaching, managing and administrating at club, provincial and national level.
Despite having retired playing from our national game nearly 40 years ago, Colin Meads is still the top of mind as the first name any thinking rugby person will nominate as our greatest All Black. Like the late Sir Edmund Hillary, Colin Earl Meads has carved out an iconic status in the minds of all New Zealanders that goes far beyond his rugby playing deeds.
Arise, Sir Colin - you honour is richly deserved.