21 October (Auckland) Last week Wales and Australia both lost to fairer nations – this week the contest is much tighter, just as it’s likely to be on the field. Australia edges out Wales in the crucial income inequality stake, at least on paper, but neither nation’s figure is very impressive. Wales’ income inequality is quit ...

16 October (Auckland) For all of you who are still moaning at Wales vs. France. Wales may seem to be a fairer team on the field but when we look at the stats of equality, Wales gets knocked out like Kevin Mealamu and Tana Umaga clearing Brian O’Driscoll out of the ruck. France is ranked no.5 on equality, while Wales is ranked 9th. In most countri ...

15 October (Auckland) On the numbers, there’s little dispute over who’s favourite to win on social equality here. France’s number 6 place on our rankings (just below NZ) is earned through high places on gender equality and the happy planet index, and a good showing on income equality (its Gini measure of 32.7 places it 5th among the rugby nat ...

8 October (Wellington) The quarters begin with Ireland, the highest ranking remaining team on our social equality indicators, taking on 9th ranked Wales. (Farewell to the Brave Blossoms of Japan who topped our overall table at the start of the tournament). Ireland’s high placing comes in part from low military spending, and relative generosity in ...

Sunday 11 September (Wellington) I’m heading to the South Africa v Wales game Sunday night at the cake-tin (Wellington stadium, for those unfamiliar with the nickname). It’s a serious game in Pool D, which the South Africans will probably win – they are two places ahead on IRB rankings, and defending world champions. However, in checking out ...