New Zealand’s Shane Smeltz against Italy in their friendly match at the Super stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday June 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
This is a subject that we’ve broached previously but deserves further examination: do we support the New Zealand All Whites at the World Cup as representatives of the A-League or should we treat them as we would the All Blacks?
It’s a fascinating quandary to ponder as we approach the Socceroos’ home farewell match against the All Whites at the MCG on May 24 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The farewell match represents a new beginning in the rivalry between the two countries that has suffered an inevitable lull since Australia’s move into Asia.
But with New Zealand’s qualification to the World Cup – where they will be at the finals alongside Australia for the first time ever – the rise of football across the Tasman, manifested through the continued rise of the Wellington Phoenix as well as the World Cup qualification, has set the scene for the rebirth of meaningful contests between the two nations.
And it will be fascinating to see how the crowd at the MCG and the players approach the friendly – their first clash in five years, let’s not forget.
In rugby, for example, where the All Blacks ply their trade in the New Zealand based franchises in an international competition as opposed to an Australian one, the lines are so clearly defined between the two nations.
In football, they are far from it.
The All Whites are, in the main, products of Australia’s footballing structures
Within the New Zealand football community there is a sense of gratitude to the Australian game for providing the platform for its own game to rise in standard to the point where World Cup qualification was possible – and without which it’s unlikely the All Whites would be there in the first place.
Meanwhile, the majority of Australian football fans wished the Phoenix well as they emerged as genuine contenders in the A-League last season, and were relieved when they were given a stay of execution and allowed to continue playing in a foreign league by the AFC, especially considering the Phoenix were one of the few shining lights of the season for the competition with bumper crowds saving the blushes of crowd-watchers.
The All Whites qualifying for South Africa was a success for the A-League, and the fact was not lost on Aussie fans.
At club level, at least, there is no real trans-Tasman animosity, and no real bitter or acrimonious tensions on the international arena.
But for how long will that goodwill continue and does the MCG friendly represent a turning point?
The consensus among many Socceroos fans is that they wish the All Whites well in South Africa, knowing they will be representing the A-League to a far greater extent than the Socceroos.
None of the three A-League representatives for the Socceroos in Germany 2006 (Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp) saw any game time, and with Jason Culina the only likely A-League Socceroo to feature in South Africa, the All Whites’ World Cup tour will be the A-League’s biggest chance yet to showcase its worth, with Shane Smeltz and the core of the Wellington Phoenix making up the majority of the likely starting XI.
World Soccer’s World Cup preview magazine describes Smeltz as “the record-breaking A-League striker” who “will carry the weight of the All Whites’ attacking burden.”
For many football fans around the world it’ll be the first time they’ve heard of the A-League.
And for this reason we should wish New Zealand well in South Africa and hope they do themselves and the A-League proud.
A fighting and spirited performance from the underdogs will reflect positively on the A-League around the world.
The rivalry between the Socceroos and All Whites should be put aside in June, and it will inevitably develop with time, particularly if an annual meeting between the two eventuates.
The competition between the two dates back to 1922 when they first met on the football field in Dunedin, and their previous battles in Oceania and rich rivalry in other sporting endeavors should ensure the MCG match is the rejuvenation of the rivalry.
Perhaps if the Phoenix continue their rise in the A-League, the rivalry will also foster at the club level between Wellington and their Australian rivals.
But the fact remains that Australia benefits enormously from the talent that emerges in New Zealand as it helps to contribute to a better A-League, so we shouldn’t begrudge them a good tournament in South Africa and hope they do us proud.
Republican
Guest
eastperthroyals I tried in vain to expound further on your comment especially with re Australian Football however, the ED deemed my comment inappropriate because I made reference to that other party in the Trans Tasman union I believe.
Republican
Guest
KGW Aside from calling a spade a spade and having a converse opinion - please show the evidence of me being 'bigoted' and 'intolerant'.
AA
Guest
And I love every second of it.
Republican
Guest
AA More power to you. The Trans Tas thing has become a bit of a sacred cow it seems. Cheers
AA
Guest
Also rich, when did 'honesty' turn into 'patronising'. I call it as I see it, and this game between Aus and NZ stinks to high heaven, much like the Phoenix's flimsy amnesty given to them to extend their A-League licence. NZ has done NOTHING to help the Australian football reforms, they'd probably want to see it fail actually. Kiwi's OUT of the A-League, go and develop your own footballing systems.
AA
Guest
The Bledisloe is only adored in NSW, Qld and NZ. The rest of us couldn't give a big stuff. Much like this unwarranted and over-hyped (well from the Kiwi's anyway), overpriced soccer match.
AA
Guest
I think Republican's views are fine. We both don't believe in assisting NZ sport, what is wrong with that? As long as it's said diplomatically, what is wrong with mine and his position? Some of you don't like honesty and different views. if you don't like it, don't read it.
KGW
Guest
You cheeky Kiwis better not beat us, we'd never hear the end of it :-) Then again if we win it's going to be blown up into a huge victory. You know the drill Kiwis if you win it's because we put up a limp effort or the umpires had too much influence. If we win it's because we are world beaters :-)
Zac Zavos
Editor
A reminder to all to please report inappropriate comments and we will act. Please stick to the topic of the original article.
KGW
Guest
Seriously Republican your generalizations that you offer up really is more of a blight on you than it is the Kiwis. You and AA have no right pushing your intolerant and bigoted views in a sports forum. It's not that the editors are precious it's just they are level headed and do not accept tripe such as you pull out every time you see a chance.
Republican
Guest
Crickey, what I stated is fairly well founded re Kiwis sentiments towards Australia. I believe I managed to convey this without resorting to slander. I felt compeled to offer a sentiment that is contrary to Adrians, since Kiwis do NOT tend to support Ozzies as he seems to be inferring. I guess the truth hurts however sensitive your approach. Again, the editors seem to be a little precious whenever this Trans Tasman relationship is deconsructed in any way, why I am not sure but they do tend to encourage such debate with threads of this nature. Eastboy, you probably need to elaborate if you really believe what I stated to be rubbish. I am yet to experience any Kiwi support of Australia in anything, except that is when they have something to glean from their mostly mercenary relationship with this country. I am more than open to being given examples of exceptions in this respect, however in the main, I believe I am entirely on the money. Cheers
Ricky J
Guest
I seem to recall the New Zealand Football Chairman Frank Van Hattam calling Australia "chicken sh.t" last year for not playing NZ in a game. Thsi game lost all its appeal at that time.
eastperthroyals
Guest
This game between the all whites and socceroos will be much anticipated one only eclipsed by the bledisloe cup also Some of you are truly deluded in the way you write off Aussie rules presence in nz and the way it has shaped the nation they love the game so much just open your eyes and stop buying into spin
Katipo
Guest
I'll be supporting New Zealand as my first team. Australia second. Go the All Whites. And now that you Aussies have degraded the game between us, which I'm massively looking forward to, I hope we beat you.
Greg
Guest
Adrianne needs to get his hand off it - NZ in the World Cup thanks to the A-league - i don't think Fallon or Nelsen are in the Average League - players plying their trade in England and Europe helped us in the play -offs, and it will be Reid and Smith who keep the score down in Africa. Australia moving to Asiain WC qualifying helped the kiwis qualify more than any A-league fantasy.
rich of bondi
Guest
AA is that your only connection? population? ummm thought about it and wait, wait, wait yes Nz shares a similar population to switzerland and your connecting is still ridiculous as stated in other comments.
rich of bondi
Guest
i supported australia at the last world cup and will at this one and so do most kiwis because it is an underdog.
Eastboy
Guest
Absolute rubbish Republican
Republican
Guest
In my travels to NZ and abroad I have found without exception, that Kiwis never support Australia at anything, on the contrary, they are vehement in their opposition to our sporting teams and individuals, since they are collectively obsessed at beating us at all and sundry. I would certainly always support Australia first and foremost and the underdog second, however I would NEVER support the Kiwis underdogs or otherwise. Cheers
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
He's not a football brian, he's a very naughty boy