Rugby commentator Chris 'Buddha' Handy succinctly introduced All Black great John Kirwan as 'Auckland surf bum and butcher' at last Friday's sidesplitting Sevens Long Lunch.
It was one long laugh as more than 500 people were entertained by hilarious Handy who was in absolutely top form, continually taking digs at everyone from Kiwis to Stuart Barnes, his fellow-master-of-ceremonies.
Early in the proceedings, just as Barnes was struggling (it was his first time at the Lunch) to find his feet and repartee, the quick-witted Australian goaded the former England international, saying 'you don't bring a knife to a gunfight'.
Yes it was all in good fun. But in the midst of all this frivolity, Kirwan had a few sobering words to say when he pointed out the way the International Rugby Board's eligibility requirements were being used by some countries at the World Cup.
His butcher's training made him perhaps cut straight to this huge bone of contention when he said that it was plainly absurd that countries use 'foreign' players in their national squads.
He was specifically referring to our neighbours Japan, Asian champions, who have included five New Zealanders and a Fijian in their World Cup squad.