It was late afternoon and all over civilized Bali the lads and lasses from the two countries down under gathered as the battle was about to be joined.
With Bintangs raised( made in Indonesia and served by Balinese in Bali)there were nervous grunts of " Good luck, cobbers, yer gonna need it"
The crowd hushed as onto the screen ( in Bali ) strode the mighty men of Black and gold.
The men in Black issued a stirring challenge, while the crowd sang some ditty about a sheep thief committing suicide.
The whistle blew and it was time for the ANZACS to go to battle once more.
Over the top lads, came the cry.
Old soldiers shed a tear.
Women screamed and turned their heads away.
The Balinese were transfixed.
Never had they seen war and attrition on this scale.
No quarter was asked or given and no prisoners taken.
There were casulties, but that is the nature of war.
After 80 minutes of bruising struggle with the battle raging over a 100m front,the men in Black walked off the victors (on a screen in Bali please note) holding high a silver trophy.
The men in gold, bruised and battered but not cowed offered their congratulations.
Those from the Shaky Isles willingly took the money proffered by their ANZAC mates and in the generous nature of people from those small islands( in Bali,mark you) assisted the Bali recovery by shouting Bintangs all round.
Messages were sent to Richie and the boys, and condolences to Little George and his lads.
This morning, being Sunday the lads in black gathered to hear the wisdom of the team Padre.............and these are the words he gave them:
The Padre's Prayer.
Our Father, who art in Godzone,
Henry be thy name,
Richie's boys have won,
Thy will was done,
In Brisbane, as it was in Christchurch.
Give us this day our daily Haka,
And forgive us our missed tackles,
As we forgive those who think they can vanquish us.
Lead us not into complacency
And deliver us the Springboks,
For thine is the backline,
The power of the forwards,
For ever and ever.
We Amen.