In his philosophical essay, Albert Camus painted a grim picture of man’s futile search for meaning in an opaque universe devoid of God and eternal truths or values.
Once we realise that tomorrow only brings us closer to death instead of any meaningful explanation, we realise the absurdity of our existence. Camus – in his mind at least – strips this down to the only burning question of philosophy that matters: does the realisation of the meaninglessness and absurdity of life necessarily require suicide?
Camus argued that taking the absurd seriously meant acknowledging the contradiction between the desire of human reason and the unreasonable world. Suicide, therefore, was not an option worth considering, as without man, the absurd cannot exist. The contradiction must be lived; reason and its limits must be acknowledged, without false hope.
However, the absurd can never be accepted: it requires constant confrontation, constant revolt.
He uses the myth Sisyphus to illustrate this point. Sisyphus, who had defied the gods and put Death in chains, was captured and punished for eternity. His fate was to push a boulder to the top of a mountain and, upon reaching the summit, watch it roll back to the bottom leaving him to start the process all over again.
Camus was most interested in the thoughts of Sisyphus when he made his descent. For Camus claims that was the moment when Sisyphus acknowledged the futility of his task and the certainty of his fate, and was freed to realise the absurdity of his situation and to reach a state of contented acceptance. By continuing in the futility of his actions, he became a master of his universe, albeit not in a He-man kind of way.
Camus was not the sort of person you would want to invite to a dinner party for his effervescent personality and rosy outlook on life. He would’ve been ideal, however, when the hour turned late and you wanted the last stragglers to scurry off to their homes.
I can’t help but be reminded of Camus’ bleak view of the industrialised world and the situation of rugby in the Pacific Nations. Next week, on July 8, the top New Zealand side line up in a historic test against Manu Samoa in Apia. They have never played in Tonga or Fiji.
Do you know how many times the All Blacks and Manu Samoa have played one another? This will be the sixth time that they have faced off. All five previous games – from July 1993 to September 2008 – have been in New Zealand. Admittedly, the now defunct Junior All Blacks used to play the Pacific Nations in the Pacific Nations Cup but it does seem incredible that a comparatively close neighbour has played so little against the top national side.
Teams like New Zealand complain in a World Cup year that they are deprived of revenue from no June or November internationals. Spare a thought, then, for Fiji, Tonga and Manu Samoa who receive touring teams as I have had nights of uninterrupted and lengthy sleep since my daughter was born. They’ve happened – I’m sure I didn’t dream them as that would imply deep sleep – but I couldn’t tell you exactly when.
When Pacific Nations tour up north, their share of revenue and even test status are not accorded as they are with the SANZAR teams. The Pacific Nations Cup is not comparable with more lucrative tournaments like the Rugby Championship or Six Nations. They are not formally or directly involved in any club tournament either.
Corruption allegations among rugby officials in Tonga, Fiji and Manu Samoa do not help their cause. Manu Samoa players raised quite a media storm when they threatened to boycott their last international against England in protest over the administration of the game in Samoa and the fact that they were still owed quite a lot of money.
It is little wonder, though, with much less pay and far fewer international games many players prefer to ply their rugby trade in the club scene. However, recent revelations have brought to light how club players – by no means all of them from Pacific nations – are now being pressured into retiring from the international game.
Dan Leo, a London Irish lock, claims that up to a third of Manu Samoa’s squad could be lost to clubs who have offered incentivised contracts to stop players from participating in this year’s World Cup. If they do choose to play in the World Cup, they risk losing up to 40 per cent of their salary.
When you look at the inhospitable rugby world in which the Pacific Nations live, it would be easy to forgive them for falling into despair. Overlooked in the new Super rugby expansion, no representation in the IRB or World Rugby, or losing players to other rugby nations, the myth of Sisyphus is a sad reality for the Pacific Nations.
It is unlikely that the situation will change. The more club rugby there is and the more money it generates, the more demanding the employers will become. You only have to look at international football to see that but at least the latter has clearly demarcated international windows where there are no club clashes.
Asking World Rugby to step in and address such clashes is like asking Phil Kearns to wax lyrical over Richie McCaw or extol the virtues of the opposition facing his beloved Waratahs. Ask away but just don’t expect a response.
Moreover, the Apia test seems to be a begrudging one-off on the part of the New Zealand Rugby Union. A crossing of the palms with silver only for the bags of sponsor’s gold to be loaded up out back and driven away in secret. Similarly, leading nations such as France, South Africa and Australia might well say New Zealand owe it to Samoa to tour there but you won’t see their own teams touring Apia any time soon.
And yet, with all the odds stacked against the Pacific teams and the shabby treatment they get from the rugby world and their own officials, they are still capable of delighting the world with their unique brand of rugby. Big hits, big smiles and a genuine love for the game they were born to play.
Despite the absurdity of their situation, I tend to agree with Camus and come to the same conclusion. ‘One must imagine [them] happy.’ The alternative, much like Camus himself, is too depressing to entertain.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. That was pointed out to me. What about unofficial matches in Tonga? Haven't heard anything about there.
allblackfan
Guest
FYI Kia Kaha, the ABs have played twice in Fiji (at least) albeit unofficially without caps. In the 70s (after the Lions were whipped and which required a Grant Beatty try to seal the result) and again in the early 80s which involved a bit of a riot!
Islandstyle
Guest
You are absolutely spot on bro. I do not mind forwards having the skills that Fijian forwards tend to have but first and foremost they are forwards and should have the necessary forwards skills that NZ and Aus players have. And unfortunately due to the 7s influence they don't. All these loud noise about All Blacks and Australia playing in the islands is nonsense. The only way to help the islands team is at a development level as I mentioned earlier. Doing that enables them to produce positive results on the senior level and as you mentioned, that attracts lucrative sponsors.
MarkR
Guest
Beautifully said mate, here's to a cracker of a game tomorrow. A lot of players with something to prove in both teams should make it very exciting !
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Couldn't agree more. Start them young and focus their rugby on skills and in the forwards that means drilling them in the core duties of the forwards. NZ forwards have the passing skills but they are first and foremost forwards and need to be proficient in lineouts and scrums as well as ruck work and general play in the tight. Then by all means unleash in the loose when the moment arises. But as you mentioned before, having 15s offer a way of life as lucrative as 7s would be a good start to get that ball rolling. Money, particular sponsporship money, comes with success. AIG are not going to come knocking if 15s can't secure the same results as Fiji is able to get in 7s. But getting more games and, hence more revenue, would be a good place to start.
Islandstyle
Guest
Great post bro. You hit the nail there when you mentioned that they probably see 7s as a different version of rugby like union and league. Eventhough they have a small population base they have the potential to be on par with teams like Italy and Scotland. Only if they concentrate on more 15s training like the forwards technical side. Take Samoa for example in 2010 they won the Sevens World Series and 2011 they beat the Wallabies in 15s. They seems to be able to find a balance between both. Fiji on the other hand seems like they don't want to rather then can't do it. In terms of their tight 5, one of their props Yanuyanutawa was a first choice for super rugby side Brumbies and had the potential to be a Wallaby. Nakarawa their second row was man of the match in the Pro 12 final between his club Glasgow Warriors and Munster. That game had Paul O'connell playing, who is one of the best second row in the world. And Nakarawa outshone him. And that's what i mean. Fiji have the potential because they do have the players and the resources. All they need is lots of forward training especially from a young age. And currently the mindset of their forwards is to play like a back rather then a forward. And the reason being from the moment they start to play rugby all they do is play sevens. In my opinion having the All Blacks play in the islands is not really going to help. Where the focus should be is at a development level. For example have a Oceania high school competition where the top 4 schools from NZ, Australia, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji play each other. Age group should be between 13 to 18. That's is 5 years of exposure to NZ and Australia type of forward play and technical kicking to their kids. So when they get to the world under 20 championships the island teams could match the European teams. And by the time they reach the senior team they are well oiled, fine tuned players both backs and forwards, especially Fiji's forwards and Tonga's backs.
Debz
Guest
But I do wish the rest of the rugby world would stop harping on about us poaching PI players when their own teams are stacked with Kiwis. Not that that was what Kia Kaha was saying but we do get it a lot.
Debz
Guest
I think I got moderated - wrote a long reply that hasn't appeared. Short answer - no. I think they are Samoan - if that's what they want. They are also New Zealanders. They can choose whomever they wish to play for.
Debz
Guest
I agree.
Debz
Guest
:)
Debz
Guest
I'm saying that they can be whatever they choose - if they want to play for NZ, that's fine. If they want to play for Samoa, that's also fine. If they want to go and play overseas for big bucks - no worries. I think it's up to each individual who he wants to play for and why. I'm only griping about the fact that the rest of the world keeps bleating about NZ pillaging the Islands - when they can't keep their hands off Kiwi-born players (of whatever cultural heritage). It's hypocrisy. And it's getting as old as the constant claim that Richie McCaw is just a cheat.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Can't remember if it was 2 or three years ago (probably neither!) but SA was involved with a triangular tournament of Scotland and Manu Samoa. Scotland did indeed tour Fiji and Samoa I think as well as Australia (not a bad tour for them that year!) but perhaps when touring teams visit in June, games could be added to include one of the Pacific nations and revenue shared. There will be problems with players due to club commitments but the triangular tournament (perhaps there were more teams. With this heat the little one is not sleeping well and hence neither am I) worked and should be repeated more often in my view.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Another good post but what you say is a reflection of their love of 7s. If they did prioritise 15s, there would be an impact on 7s. NZ has that bigger population base to enjoy the best of both 7s and 15s. Samoa, for example, have enjoyed success in 7s but they haven't been able to sustain that level of success as the Fijians have. Yet their record in 15s does appear to have gone up as opposed to Fiji. It'd require a shift in thinking from Fiji to put 15s on an equal footing and I'm not sure that'd get a popular reaction among the locals. You might think of them as both forms of rugby but they might see it as the difference between league and union. They're like a mix of Kenyans and Jamaicans. They want to run all day but fast and flat out. Rugby can be played like that but like the Hurricanes found out, you have to choose your moments to ensure success on a regular basis. Fiji wants to play it their way without any compromise it seems. I admire that but, like you, wonder what they'd achieve if they adapted their game a little to a more traditional approach notably in the forwards.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
I think it's fair to say, Ryan, that both Samoa and New Zealand have mutually benefited from their relationship. The Pacific Islands do not have a large enough population base nor the funds to support a domestic club competition. Those Polynesians and Melanesians raised in New Zealand have benefited from the rugby resources of New Zealand but so too has New Zealand benefited from the type of game these players, and those born from outside New Zealand, bring to the game in the country. It's much like the policy of selecting All Black players only from domestic comps. It's not just about picking the best available with no conflicting schedules or priorities. It's about the exposure of other players and the trickle down effect that feeds into the national team. So too with Pacific Islanders plying their trade in NZ. They get the benefit of playing in a competitive environment that encourages their natural game and NZ benefits from exposing its wider base to this type of game. I doubt the goodwill of this tour and the likelihood for it to be a regular occurrence but this is where I disagree with Winnie in his contention that NZ owes Samoa nothing. NZ has and continues to make a contribution to rugby in the Pacific region but we should not discount the important contribution that nations like Samoa have made nor indeed their descendants living or growing up elsewhere. I do agree that this game shouldn't be seen as a moral obligation on the part of the NZRU. However it has come about, I do see it as a celebration of what these two rugby nations have achieved. Much of the Samoa squad is being flown in from Europe and NZ won't have all its players available. But we're going to see a game in Apia and all eyes will be on Samoa for this weekend and given the odds against such an event happening, I think it's worth celebrating.
Islandstyle
Guest
I do hope that too although would have been happier if they spent more time on forward set pieces training rather then the crazy attack at all cost even if it's from their own try line. Too bad they are all too crazy on sevens. Their 15s team gets World Rugby funding which is usually about 300 thousands dollars. Yet their 7s team have local sponsors in Vodafone, Fiji Airways and Fiji water totalling 8 million US dollars a year. Their 7s players are on full time contracts and after and gets bonuses for reaching quarters upwards in world series tournaments. After their World Series wins they had 78 thousands dollars bonus. They had few of their players turn down lucrative contracts from European clubs citing Olympic aspirations. That was unheard of just few years ago. Their 7s players are well looked after in every aspects especially financially. Out of all the island teams they have the most potential. And based on how their 7s team are funded they definitely have the money resources to be competitive. That's why I have always wished that they wake up from their 7s dream and realise their 15s potential.
Ryan
Guest
I don't think he is arguing otherwise Kia Kaha, I think he is raising the point many people here choose to ignore. Samoan rugby has benefitted largely from the New Zealand rugby systems. He does make the point which I do tend to agree with, many Samoan players choose the Blue of Samoa or Kiwis the gold of Australia the Navy of Scotland and the Red of the welsh or tongans when they realise it is unlikely they will make the All Blacks. Kahn Fotuali'i I feel left to soon and I'm sure he has second guessed his choice at times but then again who are we to know? As for Ra I am surprised you never retracted some of the bile you wrote above.
Ryan
Guest
Coconut I seen the interview with Limas dad before the SR final. Interesting though how very few people acknowledge SBWs European heritage
Ryan
Guest
What is ignorant and arrogant Ra is your post where you are trying to takahi on his mana. It's pretty clear he has a problem with the pakiwaitara or the myth that NZ steals pacific talent. Before writing your ill informed rant to try and be some keyboard toa, did you bother to look at his post below where he speaks of his Māori and Maltese heritage? Of course you didn't it's easier to vilify someone to try and gain friends on the roar. As for the NZRU respecting Samoa, please mate get your head out of the clouds, the only reason the NZRU is even going to Samoa is due to the huge pressure put on them by John Campbell and the NZ Public, they aren't going because the sat around the board room table and decided. "You know what lads, i think it's about time we went to Manu Samoa it will be good for rugby in the pacific" I would say e hoa that it went something more along the lines of this. Houston we have a problem, Campbell Is nailing us in the public arena accusing us of showing arrogance and spitting on the pacific nations, we need to shut him up and quick, Steve pipes up hey why not schedule it for less than a week after the SR final we don't want to risk all our best players". As for the rest of your rant it was completely ill informed and generalist. Mena kaore e taea e koe te whakamohio te panui kei runga ra, waiho o matiringa. As for cultural genocide Ra where the heck are you going with that? I am Māori and so is Winnie, your post truly shows a lack go humarie and understanding.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
That's a good point islandstyle and probably explains why Fiji have lagged behind Samoa and Tonga comparatively in the set piece in recent years. I do hope they do well at sevens in Rio as they really are crazy about the game.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Nietzsche and the All Blacks would be a good starting point Harry. ;)