An eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth. Who says? The Bible says, that's who!
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So Nelson Asofa-Solomona, the Kiwi now to be known as "the human windmill" can be forgiven.
Forgiven for coming to the rescue of a mate. Almost the Anzac creed.
Suli Vunsvulu, a hugely talented Fijian and Melbourne Storm Rugby League team-mate of Asofa-Solomona, is lucky to be alive.
After being bashed in down town Bali by a drunken tourist, Suli was left with a face a grandma wouldn't recognise. It was a right royal mess.
When Asofa-Solomona intervened Suli was still being bashed big time.
Big, no huge, Nelson cut loose. With his bulging arms flailing in all directions, Sula was spared further brutality.
For his actions, Nelson has been condemned. There are those who believe retribution should be enforced.
I am not one of those. Whilst never condoning violence I applaud Nelson for his bravery.
Picture the scene. An out of control mob, fuelled to the eye balls by money-hungry nightclubs, thirsting for trouble. Please convince me that Bali has responsible service of alcohol laws. I promise not to laugh.
Drink 'til you drop or until you start throwing "coward" punches.
If Nelson's retaliation was nefarious then those implying the law need to get out of the kitchen.
***
Punches were not thrown when Melbourne and Sydney took to the racing ring last week.
Words aplenty, but no punches. In the red corner, Melbourne, protecting the might of the Melbourne Cup. In the blue corner, Sydney, screaming the praises of The Everest.
Both hell-bent on stealing one another's thunder. Victorian-NSW rivalry at its best.
Melbourne has hosted The Cup since 1861 when Archer won. Not content to munch on the first horse to win The Cup, Archer backed up and won again the following year.
Whether you have a bet or religiously abstain you don't need a taxi driver to remind you The Cup is run on the first Tuesday of November.
It stops the nation. Always has, always will. A traditional wonder of the sporting world.
A pulsating three minutes in your life. When a "sweep" has a different connotation to the "sweep" who keeps London smog-free.
The Everest? Catchy name. Cash galore. Cash doesn't buy tradition. Tradition comes with time. The Everest has time on its side. Until time engulfs this mega buck race it will remain an exciting addition to the racing calendar.
But I never envisage The Everest stopping the nation. Not the chatter you'll find around the office coffee machine.
Roll on racing. Continue to feel good about The Cup and look forward to many more of The Everest. They are both here to stay. Yes, yes, yes, and sprint too!
