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I have been reading rugby articles, blogs and Roarer comments on here for a while now, and have noticed a general dislike of our South African neighbours.
Yes, it’s an Australian site, so naturally there is a home bias and perennial optimism about Australia’s chances (realistic or otherwise) of winning the next Bledisloe, Tri-Nations, World Cup etc.
However, the exchanges between “us” (Australia) and the Kiwi mob seem to be less hostile than those between us and the Bokkies, and even between the Kiwis and Boks.
So why does everyone dislike South Africa?
I’d like to put it out there that South Africa simply don’t have the same ethos about rugby shared by Australia and New Zealand. The Bledisloe is what rugby is all about: hard as nails on the field, mutually respectful off the field.
For me, there is nothing better in world rugby than a Test match between Australia and New Zealand. The rivalry is intense, but aside from Woodcock’s dodgy hit on Faingaa in the Melbourne Test, I can’t think of another incident that could even be questioned as foul play between these two teams.
So inevitably, after the game, we just sit back with a cold beer and lament on how we “almost” won that one, and look forward to the next contest where we remain eternally optimistic that things will go our way. And win or lose, we can always have a go at the Kiwis – just because they are Kiwis.
Now, South Africa have certainly got the hard as nails part right. There can be no question about that (although I’d argue the late tackles, eye-gouging and shoulder-charging that appear to be more frequent in games involving South Africa are beyond the scope of what being “hard as nails” is all about).
That aside, on the notion of mutual respect, I can only draw blanks for a nation that “boo’s” or sings “ole, ole, ole, oleey” during the Haka.
It makes me sick every time I watch the kiwis play the Boks in South Africa and the latter fans show absolutely no respect for what is the greatest tradition in world rugby, and possibly the greatest tradition in any sport.
Boo-ing and chanting during the Haka is disrespectful, unsportsmanlike and just plain disgraceful.
Admittedly, I haven’t been to a Bledisloe match for many years as I now live abroad, but I’d be very surprised if you can find a bunch of Aussies carrying on like this. Sure there will always be a few drunk wankers at every game, but I’d assert it’s a very small minority and certainly not a majority so loud it drowns out the Haka on international TV.
And that, I contend, is the difference between South African and New Zealand-Australian rugby. It’s all about R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.