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News that the Boks intend to go for broke on Saturday raises the question of whether tournaments such as The Rugby Championship and Six Nations cheapen the spirit of Test rugby?
A rugby union Test match between two nations – like the recent game between South Africa and New Zealand at Eden Park, or Australia and South Africa at Newlands – are great festive occasions that should be celebrated by whichever country emerges as the victor.
It was interesting to note some comments on The Roar that suggested South Africa don’t deserve to win The Rugby Championship if they took their foot off the pedal against the Wallabies at Newlands.
That they even did is arguable.
Many fans are now discussing whether South Africa has the ability to put four tries on the All Blacks this coming weekend and deny them a bonus point in order to win the Rugby Championship, or whether they would have to rely on points differential.
Shouldn’t the focus be on winning the Test itself?
If South Africa win on Saturday, but don’t do enough to win the Rugby Championship, does that somehow demean what would be a great rugby Test win?
Will South African (or All Blacks) supporters cry into their drinks if they win a Test but lose a tournament?
Perhaps it’s just me, but tournaments like the Rugby Championship are nothing but the commoditisation of rugby union and the pursuit of the mighty dollar.
If we look at The New Penguin English Dictionary, ‘test’ is defined as “a means to assessing the quality, capabilities, reliability, or endurance of somebody or something; a trial.”
Like everybody else I enjoy the entertainment, the debate and the anticipation around tournaments like The Rugby Championship, but somehow a ‘tournament’ just doesn’t seem to have the legacy, the quality or the ‘mana’ of a rugby union Test between great nations.
According to English cricket scorer, statistician and BBC radio commentator, Bill Frindall, the phrase ‘Test match’ was coined in 1861-62 during the very first cricket tour of Australia.
(For your information, the first international game of rugby was played between England and Scotland in Edinburgh on 27 March 1871 – six years before the first cricket Test.)
Frindall said the “contests between HH Stephenson’s English team and each of the Australian colonies were described as ‘test matches’.”
The New Penguin English Dictionary defines a ‘tournament’ as a “series of games or contests for a championship; a contest between two parties of mounted medieval knights armed with usu blunted lances or swords”.
Rugby Test suggests tradition, an arm wrestle, a test of quality and character. Tournament just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
After the game on Saturday, after the Springboks beat the Wallabies in a sell-out rugby union Test match, Jean de Villiers said: “I don’t think I have ever been so disappointed after beating Australia by 20 points.”
I personally was a bit uncomfortable with that as it was a tournament-focused statement that diminished the achievement in a sense.
If South Africa wins the Test on Saturday but loses the Rugby Championship, who will celebrate more?
The All Blacks because they won a tournament, or the Springboks because they won a rugby union Test?
I for one will be watching their faces after the final whistle. It will be an interesting study.
Leave the computations and championship ladders to the bookies. Enjoy the rugby.
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.