The media is pumping this weekend as an NRL vs RWC battle for the hearts and minds of New Zealanders, but I have some confronting news for them and you: most people like more than one sport.
If you read blog comments and many sports opinion columns, it would be easy to believe that anyone who has ever been to an AFL game finds rugby league poisonous to the eye, that a rugby fan would rather punch himself in the face than watch an A-League game, and that every football fan considers the other football codes the preserve of the Neanderthal.
Such people do exist. You know them. You’ve read them. But they are not the typical sports fan.
Most sports fans consider sport a buffet not a religion.
They’ll snack on the unique skills and athleticism of the AFL Grand Final Saturday and take a bite of the unique skills and athleticism of the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, while salivating at the prospect of Kewell v Emerton in an upcoming A-League match.
Think of it as having pizza Saturday, Chinese food Sunday and looking forward to a roast dinner in a few weeks time.
The vast majority of people don’t think of sport as religion, with one true God and a fatwa to be declared on all infidels from other codes.
New Zealand happens to be this week’s battleground. You know the narrative, say it with me now: “In New Zealand, the All Blacks are a religion mate, there’s no room for anything else.”
Well, yes, and no. The All Blacks are a religion insofar as they hold an iconic status and are worshipped by much of the community.
But there most certainly is room for something else. To suggest the All Blacks are the only game is town is patently untrue. In this tiny nation, they have a highly successful NRL side, a competitive A-league side with its own culture and following, not to mention the NBL franchise, Trans-Tasman netball, successful Olympic teams and many more.
And Kiwis care about all of these pursuits, as well as the All Blacks.
At the NewsTalkZB website this week, they’ve been running a poll asking the core NZ sports audience: Which game will you be watching this weekend? NZ v Canada, RWC2011, Warriors v Manly NRL Grand Final, both, neither?
And what do you know, when I checked, the All Blacks were coming third, presumably because the Canada game is unlikely to be showstopper.
Coming second; the Warriors. Well, it is the Grand Final and against Australians. But number one on the list, by a big margin was: Both
Yes, most people don’t consider it a betrayal of their code to watch another one. Most people can see merit in more than one game.
If it is true in the All Black nation, it is most certainly true this side of the ditch.
Matt S
Guest
Is that onion players?
peterlala
Guest
So New Zealanders are supporting the Warriors. Who are the Australians supporting...Manly? Or...?
Sam Sharps
Guest
@Boomshanka I been living in Melbourne for 20 years and yet to like or watch a game of AFL..its not everyones cup of tea unless you are a diehard AFL supporter who are more crazy about that sport then NZers are of rugby or league.Give me rugby and league any day mate...and I be there with my flags and banners.
Geoff Brisbane now California
Guest
Tui woud you stop showing off
Betty B
Guest
I'm sure kiwis followboth codes, especially if it's v us. It's a big sports weekend for them, two codes. I don't know where I'd be without league and afl, and union and A league, and cricket from sri lanka or safa, and some F1 and diamond league, plus, plus. One code must beboring.
Tui
Guest
There is no divide between the codes for Kiwis and thats what makes it so awesome. I am heading to the GF this weekend and then the RWC Semis a few weeks later its all good if our teams are doing well no matter what the sport.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
Between the Rugbys Union and League, since Union turned pro, I can think of Brad Thorn (League to Union to League to Union), Matt Rogers (League to Union to League), Lote Tuquiri (League to Union to League), Andrew Walker (League to Union to League), Gareth Thomas (Union to League), Brian Carney (Union to League to Union to League), Marc Ellis (Union to League to Union), Henry Paul (League to Union to League); and there would be a host of players going back-and-forth at lower levels. But players in junior ranks, in Australia at least, have always gone back-and-forth between the two codes with relative ease. Kids don't really care too much about all this code war crap.
Westius
Guest
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Westius
Guest
The warriors making the grandfinal is great for the NRL as it will be on in pubs all over NZ in front of countless sports-loving tourists here for the RWC. NZ having teams in first grade, Toyota cup and NSW cup is a massive achievement. It may be a bandwagon (and we're good at that too) but I was surprised with how many kiwis (at least aucklanders) are interested in the league. Notwithstanding that, I have never seen such support for a team as for the All Blacks - Australia has no equivalent. If I read another article on Richie McCaw.... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Spot on Crazy Horse
AC
Guest
It generally cracks the great "never played" masses down the middle, yes. They tend to be swayed by the vitriole spouted by media personalities because they don't have experience of both codes to fall back on, only the myths that they've been brought up to believe as reality.
Ticker
Guest
I don't think the same cultural divide exists in NZ, does it? RU in Australia is played by toffs and private school boys, while RL is the domain of bogans and 'mungoes'. Put together all the figures you want in rebuttal, but perception is everything, and its this perception that often cracks fans of the rugby codes down the middle.
Jerry
Guest
Marc Ellis is about the only one I can think of, and that was when rugby had been pro for about 5 minutes.
Ken
Guest
'But why were they set up in the first place dave?' That's not really relevant is it? I mean, if they were set-up by the IRB and/or their sponsors then I'm sure they would shut it down. But if these zones are being set up to the local councils to provide an area for people to gather, then they should be able to play whatever they want. Anyway it seems like a moot point, even if these are tax-payer funds it sounds like the IRB have control to prevent them anyway - from what Kiwidave said at least there are places available where people can go to watch (both games hopefully).
Ken
Guest
loig? If you're going to bait people you should start your own thread and leave Jock M's carefully placed bait alone...
Ken
Guest
'it's time for your Australian Leagues to show a little love to your under-siege Rugby Union Team' I think I can speak for many league fans saying that while I've really only been score checking so far the RWC will get a lot more attention from me in the next few weeks. What we have currently is the 'foreplay' section' of the WC going up against the finals of the League (and AFL in the southern states). It's all timed quite nicely for the local big boys to finish just before the fair dinkum rounds of the RWC begin - the attention in Australia will multiply many times over, as long as the Wallabies are still a chance that is!
kovana
Guest
But why were they set up in the first place dave? If thats the case, the IRB should have never have given NZ the RWC in the first place.
kovana
Guest
Well thats good news for the Warriors fans. Now the Mad Butcher doesnt have to whinge about the IRB anymore.
kiwidave
Guest
besides which the IRB didn't pay for the fan zones, NZ tax payers and akl ratepayers split the bill. We'll watch whatever we want on them.
kiwidave
Guest
IRB has prevented the official fan zones being used but the one on captain cook wharf will be showing the league and mt smart will be open to show it.