At one point over the weekend I was surrounded by New Zealanders, all with that stiff Kiwi accent that saturates my heart with nostalgia, so intense that in fact even recalling this moment in writing makes my big heart beat just that little bit harder.
Now I am all too aware that we are not the most likable characters over here (with our World Cups and all), and I do my best to remain unbiased on this site.
I posted a status on Facebook yesterday that simply read “New Zealanders are the best”, which led to a comment from an Aussie about rugby, which in turn led to various other rants, thus resulting in an aggressive stoush from friends on both sides of the Tasman, attacking one another’s sporting abilities (or lack thereof, i.e. the Wallabies recent efforts and Blackcaps bashing).
This has now got me pondering which country is the most patriotic when it comes to their athletes.
And before you mutter it out loud, no I will not go back to my country. I am immensely proud of my South Auckland roots, but Sydney for me is home and I am truly, deeply in love with this city. One day we may even get married…
In the meantime I would like to put my hand up for experiencing one of the best trans-Tasman rivalries, one which was actually with my own Australian ex-boyfriend.
Those final moments in that 2010 Four Nations final, where Jason Nightingale threw a pass (not forward at all), miraculously ending up in Nathan Fien’s hands for the win, resulted in me sleeping alone, being deleted off Facebook and not having my boyfriend talk to me or come home for two days. My own boyfriend!
I do, however, take responsibility for jumping up and down in his face saying, “Aussie suck” and in hindsight, yes this may have ruffled his green and gold feathers.
On a more sombre note, the Auckland Coalition for the Safety of Women once reported that there is a risk of domestic violence as a result of an All Blacks win or loss.
The report said a Kiwi victory “may increase levels of self-confidence, assertiveness or patriotism, all of which might lead to violence”. Better suited to the Once Were Warriors script than perhaps celebratory behaviour.
The biggest debacle of all was said to be after the All Blacks 2007 World Cup loss.
“We’ve heard from police there has been an increase in domestic violence and they’re our biggest source of referrals,” said Catherine Delore, spokeswoman for the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges.
(That loss still hurts, I wore black and pottered around Bondi with bloodshot eyes for days).
Not to be outdone, Aussie also sadly endure an increase in domestic violence on Melbourne Cup Day, but predominantly due to the fact most have suffered a heavy gambling loss or drunk themselves into oblivion, hardly an act of patriotism gone sour but terrible all the same.
This makes the beauty of the Olympic games that much more special. Australia reflected this when 100m hurdle gold medallist Sally Pearson ran her heat and it averaged 1.69 million viewers.
Regardless of who is indeed more passionate, celebrating your country’s win is a memory to be cherished and I personally can count many.
Which reminds me, how good is sport?
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
One final thought. I think Australia probably has more manifestations of patriotism if it is considered to be equivalent to flag-waving. And I suspect this is more a reflection of the confederation of the continent than whether any sporting code can generate the kind of pride in nations which leads to (metaphorical of course) warfare. Just look at Soccer nations (even though its kinda unfair to classify them so cleanly like this) they all tend to have too much nationalism, ie the nation is good even before it does one thing that can be quantified as good (in other words as a presupposition: there's an academic word Australian Rules! But not enough pride in actual achievement/manifestations of creative indentity-construction.
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
OK there is a difference between Nationalism (generally godawful bad particularly around Great Depressions) and Patriotism (generally constructive note: not necessarily good, but rather communitising, which can be good). People who bash women (whatever side of the Janzoon you live on) generally do so for multiple reasons, but in this instance may be exhibiting their frustration with the nation's loss and thus is an instance of nationalism. Patriotism is more about what we've seen recently in Oz and NZ in the welcomes to the Royals: onion dip at HRH Charles' birthday bash and Pavlova (a deliberate stunt I suspect mind you) in South Aussie.
JVGO
Guest
How exactly does the fact that NZ is only really any good at one sport make them more patriotic? (Oh I forgot rowing.)
Lovey
Guest
Lighten up mate. You couldn't get two closer countries. She was just having a go, that's all.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Who is more Patriotic between NZ and OZ? The answer is simple - Queensland
Mals
Guest
Bread of Heaven sung by the Welsh crowd at Cardiff Arms Park/Millenium Stadium will stay with me for a life time :-)
damoinaus
Roar Pro
I think the word 'patriotism' stirs up different feelings in Australia and NZ. In Aus, the word conjures images of white bogan teens with southern cross tatts, wearing the Australian flag as superman capes. It's embarrassing. In NZ, the acceptance of the indigenous Maori culture on the other hand is quite inspiring. Whites and Maoris seem pretty united when it comes to sport. Heck, even the new New Zealanders embrace the native culture...I know a Sri Lankan guy and a few Chinese 2nd generation New Zealanders that get in with the Maori boys and perform the haka whenever they can.
jimmyd
Guest
Im a kiwi who has lived in Aust for 15yrs and love it here, as far as I'm concerned were pretty much the same as to our patriotism. However for sheer passion in supporting our sports teams I think we both have a long way to go compared to some other nations eg south american soccer fans... (in fact most soccer fans) or how about the Barmy Army....and what about the Scottish rugby fans at Murrayfield on the weekend singing "Flower of Scotland" have you ever heard a better rendition of an anthem then that?? Powerful... patriotic... passionate...
Titus
Guest
"I’ve never seen people wandering round the Auckland round of the big day out with flags" That might have something to do with the fact that the Sydney Big Day Out is held on Australia Day, but admittedly it is pretty embarrassing.
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
even stevens...both hate to lose especially to each other! I mean, look at the netball, thats going to take over the national sport by way of sheer fan paticipation and the teams are so even its great spectator sports! Most sports are great just league seems to play it down because leaguies rate SOO better for intencity etc...mind you kiwis get into the SOO just as keenly as well, come origin time NZ enjoys it just as much!
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
Which sport in Australia can you get more than 50% of the nation watching on tv and 90% behind the team like they do with the All blacks across the Tasman?
steve b
Roar Guru
After the last test ,with some of the lads singing their state song instead of the aussie song you would have to wonder who is more patriotic .i couldn't see the Kiwi's doing something like that .However the game has become so professional and with Kiwi's playing for Aus i can understand the players just treating it like another game , as for the fans i think both lots are pretty patriotic ...
Australian Rules
Guest
Haylz, this is a weird article. Is it purely an attempt to fire up a similar "my country is better than your country" debate, like you obviously enjoyed on your Facebook account? And the reference to domestic violence??? on Melb Cup day? Please...I hope you've got more evidence of that than a shoddy university study from 2007.
Andy
Guest
"And before you mutter it out loud, no I will not go back to my country. " Patriotic about two countries? “New Zealanders are the best” Dry land is not a myth. I've seen it!!! "Who is more patriotic: Australia or New Zealand?" Does it really matter? "where Jason Nightingale threw a pass" The ball was thrown backwards, but because of Nightingale's momentum the ball traveled forward. I thought it was a try though. "Which reminds me, how good is sport? " It is ok, some sports i enjoy watching, others will put me to sleep like golf. I find golf much better to play then watch.
Pogo
Guest
personally I think the effect of sports matches on domestic violence is largely due to the associated heavy drinking, hence the effect holds win or lose as people drink heavily win or lose. I think Aussies are pretty patriotic, I've never seen people wandering round the Auckland round of the big day out with flags. Although personally I'm quite happy with that. Too much patriotism can be a bad thing.
Johnno
Guest
Kiwis overall, but close, but aussies hate losing just as much.