The All Blacks start against Japan was hardly a confidence builder.

RNZ The All Blacks have paid a heavy price for the 38-31 win over Japan in Tokyo with captain Sam Cane and hooker Dane Coles ruled out of the rest of the end of year tour.

In addition, Brodie Retallick received a red car or a dangerous clear out. He could easily be given a penalty that will rule him out for the rest of the tour.

Photo: AFP / Philip Fong

With Sam Whitelock out recovering from an ear infection, the steel core of the All Black scrum could be in doubt.

The ABs face Wales, Scotland and England In the next mont. Japan will play England and after their performance against New Zealand, the Brave Blossoms must fancy their chances.

Scotland has not beaten New Zealand in 31 tests since they began playing in 1905. They must be looking forward to an historic victory.

Wales has beaten New Zealand three times in 36 tests since they first played in 1905. That first-ever match was a 3-0 victory for Wales in Cardiff Arms Park. Thirty years later, Wales edged a win by one point in Cardiff. They won again in 1953 in their home city.

England has beaten New Zealand seven times in 41 tests, including the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi-final.

You have to feel sorry for Ian Foster the New Zealand coach. He is carrying a lot of history in the saddlebags.

It’s hardly been a great start for him.

Privatisation of state assets never made any economic sense.

‘Privatisation has failed’: Andrews hits back after Kennett attack on energy plan

Naturally, Jeff Kennett has come out blustering about the damage Dan Andrews’ plan will do:

Kennett lambasted Andrews for “quickly sending Victoria broke” and said his energy plan was “heartbreaking”.

He described the energy plan as “ridiculous”, “mad”, “bloody shocking” and “heartbreaking” which is hardly an economic rationale for not returning the assets to state control.

But there is a simpler argument which underpins all privatisation. If you sell state-owned assets to private companies, then they will be more efficient. This had great credence in the post-Friedman era but there was little evidence to support this idea.

Yet this argument ignores the idea that building in the profit motive to the cost of electricity, water or transport will necessarily benefit the public. It will undoubtedly benefit the shareholders, some of whom a superannuation funds in which many of us have our money. However, this is a benefit for a very small section of the community.

The broader and general public is disadvantaged by the increase in prices. There is nothing to indicate that privatisation lead to cheaper power for anybody in Victoria. Quite the opposite in fact.

Andrews’ move may also be very clever politics, coming just before a state election. It remains to be seen, but it is highly likely that a large proportion of the Victorian population will give him a big tick on election day for this idea.