One of my earliest (and as so often is the case, the best) rugby memories is witnessing the visit of the New Zealand Cavaliers to South Africa in 1986.
The significance of the visit and the debate regarding whether the tour should have taken place or not was of no relevance to the nine-year-old that I was but what I can remember is an extraordinary excitement over the appearance of such strange moustachioed foreigners to our shores.
The memories that I have of learning the names of the Kiwi players and working out who the danger men would be are not new.
Generations past can recall visiting rugby teams to the country who have been swooned over by adoring fans and some of the players reciprocated by falling in love with our country as well.
In the lead up to the final ‘Test’ match the country was in raptures with the teams at one a piece and titanic struggle was promised with much needle expected. The response by the Cavaliers was legendary.
Before kick-off, they made their way to the centre of the field and performed the Haka.
The crowd erupted in delight. This was the New Zealanders way of saying, “we are the All Blacks in spirit albeit not in name and we have come to beat you”.
In the lead up to this weekend’s Test match, a similar feeling of excitement was prevalent but the difference in the reactions of supporters to the respective teams is in stark contrast to what it was in years gone by.
Whereas in the past, we were only exposed to what was said in the foreign media through the word of a travelling family member, today’s fan gets his fix immediately.
Social media allows supporters to live vicariously through the success of their nation’s teams and any vitriol can be lobbed at opponents at the click of a key pad.
What has emerged in the last few days since the Saturday Test is hardly new and hardly surprising.
A Facebook page has been dedicated to the removal of the referee from ever blowing his whistle again and the most puerile and infantile comments are shared among fans with glee.
Rugby has always regarded itself as being somewhat superior to its other footballing codes on account of the stoic and gentlemanly principles that it espouses.
What set us apart in the past is the friendly teasing banter that is exchanged at the worst of times but at the best of times, supporters fell over themselves to talk up how superior the other team was to their own.
Instead of the Haka becoming a moment of proud reflection for all rugby supporters as something unique to our sport, the players are zoomed in on and the fireworks erupt in glitzy extravaganza worthy of an American pro-wrestling event.
Opposing supporters on the other hand often boo the All Blacks, and thats before the game even starts.
The booing of place-kickers has become so common place in the game that its actually expected.
The derisive shouting of Bismarck du Plessis from the field on Saturday was conducted with a venom of people who have forgotten that they are not sitting in a Roman colosseum.
In the lead up to the last round of Test matches, I can only long for the days when rugby jerseys were swopped and winning captains were hoisted on the shoulders of their opponents.
I can only long for the days when players were the ambassadors of their countries and did not treat themselves like preening commodities.
Finally, I long for the days when we, the fans, remembered that while we love our rugby with a passion.
The sport’s traditions demand of us a standard with which we communicate with each other…lest our beloved sport becomes like those other codes.
Carlos
Guest
Soccer is a gentlemen's game played by hooligans Whilst rugby is a hooligans' game played by gentlemen.
Carlos
Guest
Although one can certainly admire the manner in which games against the NZ Cavaliers were played one needs to put that rebel trip into perspective and remember that it was made to 'Old' South Africa and that all official tours were banned to that country. I can only think that the ostracised white South African Rugby community more than overdid their well known hospitality being so grateful to have a visit from representatives of their most respected rugby opponent, albeit unofficial. This is probably why there was such little enmity towards these visitors and the games were played in such a wonderful spirit, who I might add were no doubt paid huge sums, which was disallowed in the amateur era. FYI Robbie Deans was on that tour. Sorry to be such a party pooper.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Actually Jock both games are now a form of American Football - not so much on the ground but the way they are promoted.
Garth
Guest
That can't be proven! The records were destroyed in a series of mysterious fires in the Eden Park incinerator room.....
fredstone
Guest
A few selected quotes for your perusal: Skinner: “From what I’ve read over the years you’d have thought the fighting in that third test lasted the entire game, but that simply wasn’t true. There were only two punches –one that floored Koch and the one that stopped Bekker.” It always amazes me how Kevin Skinner came out of the 1956 series smelling like a rose. In interviews on the 3rd test of the 1956 series he projects a dignified attitude of rightfulness and saintliness. In his own mind he obviously didn’t do anything wrong and so convincing is he of his own rightfulness that he was -over the years- able to convince the New Zealand public of his ‘innocence’ (or the justness of his actions) to the extent that he is still regarded as a folk hero of saintly demeanour. A folk hero who stood up to the Springbok bullies and who showed them up for what they were; bullies who succumb the moment some-one had the guts to confront them. Fact is he had quite a few weeks (if not months) to plan exactly what he was going to do and how he was going to do it and he executed to perfection bargaining on the fact that the referee will first warn him before sending him off. His strategy was to sort Koch and Bekker early in the match with clean and well planned hits and then let them retaliate and get penalised. His total disregard for rules and for proper sportsman behaviour –especially the fact that he got away with it- took the South Africans totally by surprise. They didn’t know how to react and -like we all seems to do in situations like that- they stood back to assess the situation. This standing back to assess and strategize is generally regarded in NZ as a sign of cowardice; typical bully-shown-up-gutlessness. When they did retaliate they were penalised as can be seen in this paragraph by McLean in his book ‘Battle for the rugby crown’: In the eighth minute, Koch gave away a penalty by attempting to throw a punch. D.B. Clarke turned that into the second goal. “I don’t know who the New Zealander was,” said the referee, “but if the punch I saw landed, his head would have been parted from his shoulders.” The New Zealander was Skinner. Dr Craven was grieved. “The punch that is seen in the open is not the first punch,” he proclaimed McAtamaney and Irwin The fact that both the props (Irwin and McAtamaney) that played in the first and second tests got injured is also brought up. Authors make absolutely certain that they write in such a way that the reader has little doubt that the injuries was caused by illegal tactics on the part of the South African props. For instance Irwin according to the scribes got his ribs cracked after he was lifted out of the scrum and McAtmaney chest was so swollen and full of cuts and bruises after the 2nd test that he vowed never to play test rugby again. Fact is that McAtamaney was never really injured as he reveals in Warrick Roger’s book: “I never got injured. I was back at work on the Monday. The third test team was selected before the second test was even played. They wanted to bring Kevin Skinner from retirement to sort Bekker and they made me the scapegoat’.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick, I knew I could rely on you for the French angle! :)
mania
Guest
thats only because a lot of our league players are muppets
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Very true hardcore. no class distinction in french rugby. Until recently, rugby was very much a country/regional sport (south west) and historically, farmers, blue-collars, sales reps etc were very much represented. The fact that rugby has now become a more 'national' sport means that pretty much every social classes do play it, from students to doctors but i would say amateur rugby is still very much a middle-class sport.
Wal
Roar Guru
Yup, He's an absolute gentleman too, taught me at High School. Quietly spoken and not prone to exaggeration
Wal
Roar Guru
The saying in NZ was Rugby was an Amatuer game played by professionals and League was a professionals game played by amateurs
richard
Guest
Telling it like it is.Bekker and Koch were cheats and got what they deserved.
Jock M
Guest
Most of the good things went out the door as the money flowed in. The game is no longer Rugby but a form of Rugby Laegue. It is amazing how Rugby League has been spread globally by the commercialisation of Rugby! I will now sit back and watch the insults fly!
mania
Guest
good on u zero. we need to laugh at ourselves more and not be so serious.
David Baker
Roar Pro
Sorry small correction - I was a year younger than you at the time
David Baker
Roar Pro
I remember the 1976 tour very well. I was a little older than you (12 years) and remember I watched all the televised games live (there were 24 but I dont think all were televised) We spent hours on the nearby school field... Boks vs ABs. My favourite AB - Syd Going. We emulated his reverse pass. Got quite good at it too. I went to the 1st test in Durban and remember Gerrie Germisuys great try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN169E6k-uo My recollection is that the ABs - Couldnt kick for posts. The likes of Bryan Williams, Grant Batty did some kicking - Lineouts - ABs still used their wings to throw the ball in. Bryan Williams used to bowl it at velocity and I felt sorry for the AB locks (Whiting?) I reckon if they did that well the ABs would have won
Glenn Innes
Guest
Zero Gain - I have only ever been to Rugby live at the ground once in my entire life, it was Ballymore in the late seventies QLD were playing some mob from New Zealand and a kiwi workmate dragged me there. Yes it was a different world from Lang Park three things struck me. A) The game really didn't seem to matter much this was a picnic/pissup. B) Unlike Lang Park there were girls there and lots of them were pretty. C) Well we can't publish it on a family website but oh to be young and virile again.
David Baker
Roar Pro
Sprigs - I have read Terry Mclean's book. I have also read Danie Craven's book and a transcript of the "Craven tapes" Read a couple more as well. Interesting that you almost take offence at someone talking about your "great AB win' yet many Kiwi posters have a long list of grievances about Bok history (Bent refs, Suzie, Mandela/Luyt ordering the poisoning etc.) Before you think I am pinging Kiwi posters the Bok supporters are just as bad. The problem is that we get our facts from - bar room stories told by flatulent old fogeys - legends - books and articles written by journos on one's own side of the ocean Craven's recollection of 1956 is very different to yours and in his opinion Skinner wasnt firm but fair. I would encourage supporters to read books from both side of the ocean... then make up their mind When I read McLeans book it did temper my views a little.
Fox08
Guest
100% Garth. We might have a go at each hours for hours here but we could all end up sitting next to each other in our jerseys at a test match and have a good time without any problems. Of course you get the odd group of dysfunctional muppets who can't behave but they are in the minority. I went to the emirates to watch Arsenal v Liverpool. They had cops all over the place and barricaded the two different fan groups from each other before ,during and after the game!!! And this in a civilized society!!! Even in my beloved RSA with all its problems soccer fans from different sides sit amongst each other and have a good time. Watch a Kaizer Chiefs v Pirates game at FNB Stadium. Hardly any trouble , if any
Glenn Innes
Guest
I actually thought it was a thugs game played by gentlemen and a gentlemans game played by thugs, but this is all very British were the masses follow soccer and Rugby is real upper class public school stuff,New Zealand and South Africa were different R
Jerry
Guest
No-Doz, that's classic. I heard that some of the Springboks were all hepped up on goofballs.