It’s -2 in Christchurch, but I am leaving with warmth in my heart and fire in the belly

It’s impossible to get used to -2 degrees in July. Irrespective of how many years a Paddy spends in Christchurch, heading out with a couple of Crusader coaches to a Japanese restaurant dressed like a lagging jacket always seems odd.

I’m not a big one for farewells. When the business is done, you just get out of Dodge and harvest the memories and the experiences for another day. Another time. But the Christchurch experience has been life-affirming – and life-altering too is respect of professional sport and how I view it.