I don’t know about you but I’m growing weary of apologies.

It would appear to me we’re forever, in this country, apologizing for sins of past generations. Whether it’s for some past injustice to some wronged-race of indigenous people who now demand greater rights than others, or for removing an endangered snail or mollusk from its natural habitat to improve the lot of human beings, or whether it’s for selecting racially-based sports teams at the behest of our apartheid hosts.

Sure we were wrong to be bullied by South Africa prior to 1970 and if the New Zealand Maori side was ordered to “throw” a game against the 1956 Springboks then that, too, is shameful.

My point is that the apologies should not be made by the current administration, for they have done no wrong. The apologies and sins belong to a past generation.

Goodness knows the present New Zealand Rugby Union has enough apologies it can make for sins of its own making.

For starters how about apologizing for the latest round of shuffling the coach’s deck chairs on the Titanic? Am I the only one who finds this bizarre? Not content with merely rotating players, Henry, Hansen and Smith have decided to rotate themselves. What next? Will they recondition themselves? I’ll resist the urge to suggest some members of the panel might even benefit from said activity.

People in high echelons of rugby speak highly of Steve Hansen as a coach and a person. I don’t know the bloke from a bar of soap, and it’s always dangerous to pass uninformed judgment but my observation is surely he’s had his opportunity with the All Blacks forwards and was found wanting?

Graham Henry took over the dysfunctional All Blacks lineout for the end-of-season tour, admittedly against lesser opposition than Victor Matfield’s all-conquering Springbok machine, and simplified an overtly-complex cock-up. All of a sudden Andrew Hore became a good lineout thrower.

Hansen, himself a more-than-useful centre in his day, appeared to make progress by uncluttering the All Blacks backline attacking ploys. And Smithy appeared happiness-filled by plotting the defensive patterns, like a game of Battleship, on his lap top.

Surely the latest reverse rotation has resulted in a poor apology for a coaching panel?

Footnote: On Sunday we remember the sinful futility of a past era. While Anzac Day for some means a public holiday with no holiday, for most of us it’s an opportunity to reflect on those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country under conditions we could never contemplate. If you can’t make Dawn Parade at a cenotaph near you, join me on Hokonui Gold 94.8FM for the Diggers’ Breakfast, Sunday from 7am.

Lest we forget.