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All Blacks captain Richie McCaw celebrates a 39-10 victory over the Wallabies during the Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup Australia v New Zealand rugby test match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, August 2, 2008. AAP Image/Photosport, Andrew Cornaga
I’m not sure when it started, the idea that the All Blacks have an overbearing sense of self-importance or a preening contempt for the weak, but whichever Aussie said it – and it has to be one of my mob I’m ashamed to say – it just ain’t so.
If anything the ABs, as a team, are a pretty dull bunch. Watch the Wallabies or England when they score a try; they’re all over the scorer. They’re jubilant, ebullient, expansive.
Then take a look when the ABs score; they’re much more restrained. Why? Good question.
The NZ crowds are as vociferous and colouful as any as demonstrated by the recent Sevens in Wellington, but the ABs are extremely modest when they out-shove, out-run or out-think the opposition.
Dan Carter never ever smiles, and Richie McCaw never stops looking like a man who can’t find his car keys.
Perhaps the ABs got the label arrogant because a lot of people confuse that word with confidence.
There’s a huge difference. It’s hard to win unless you believe you’re going to win. If you announce ahead of the game that you’re going to triumph, that could be construed as arrogance.
But you’ll notice that Graham Henry and/or Richie always use the word “hopefully” when talking to the media about how they intend to get the better of the other side.
The ABs start with a wonderfully personable haka, then immediately that’s over they go back into their grim-faced shell. They’re a fine team playing great rugby, but arrogant they’re not.
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.