Don Gazza's Rant: 

In all reality, it was 1994 when I truly discovered sport. This may seem a like a sob story of my childhood, but let me continue.  It was no fault of my upbringing, it was sadly just something that kicked in later in life.  In short, life was unsatisfying... and then I found sport. Sport was a reliable saviour... there was always "NEXT WEEK"... sport could always pull you through. It gives you the tingles, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you happy, it fills you with anticipation and dread and emotions that our mothers told us about. It makes mates out of people we've never met before. I became a born-again sportshead.

I discovered tipping in Melbourne, the haven for fanatical sports-heads. Their obsession is infectious... and everyone tips. Tipping has the ability to make every game crucial, it creates passion and generally makes life better than it really is. And I often wonder that early tipping comps at the beginning of the century may be largely responsible for Melbourne being a great city, a city with affordable driniking and a really good public transport system.  It was my good brother Errol, who introduced me to tipping.  He offered me the lifeline for which I give thanks.  His Melbourne endeavours may have seemed like just good fun to many of those comp's participants, but for me they were to have a profound affect on my future.   

As mentioned in The Origins, in an effort to train myself in rugby appreciation I began an 11 man rugby tipping comp in 1996, after returning to live in NZ. Gambling and sport are two great passions and embracing a combination of both leads to a happy existence. Especially during cold weather and singledom.

After the quest to find The Jacket, my rise to glory began. My brilliant victory in the 1997 Super 12 was inspirational, a one-of-a-kind sporting feat. And a defining moment at a crucial period in my life that made it all worthwhile. I am proud to be the first Wearer of The Jacket. Being the organiser of the comp and the quest, I must assume the mantle as Guardian of The Jacket, and I feel that The Jacket has blessed that assignment by making me its first Wearer.

A special mention must go to my co-Board-folk, Errol and Funkalot, who without we'd still be running this on a piece of refill, Maddog - for his constant input... behind many PJTC rules modifications and amendments is a Maddog rant... something special to behold; and The Pipster - and Moose - their contribution to rugby appreciation and their undying committment to the PJTC has been a great support for my obsession.