I spent an afternoon today in Darling Harbour, the tourist heart of Sydney. Between the Rugby World Cup, the motor show and the current fine weather, one may be forgiven for thinking that the summer vacation has come early, especially with the cricket already on. I dropped into the Docklands Hotel, currently known as the Rugby Clubhouse, the official pub of the RWC 2003. Playing on the TV screens were past victories and great matches, a rugby player's paradise.

I was having a good day until I walked into the official merchandise tent. I know I planned to go shopping a month after the party ends and pick up the left overs, but wandering in was a bad mistake. My mouth watered, I was like a child in a chocolate factory.

Jerseys from all 20 nations, caps, shorts, scarves, balls, you name it they had it. The only thing saving me from paying $80 for a polo shirt that cost $20 to make was my good fortune to be broke at the time.

It'll take all my will power to refrain from entering again, let alone saying "no" to things I only want rather than need. There are only 4 weeks of this left... I hope I can make it.

Mardo Gray, for 2K Plus International Sports Media