I need to declare several conflicts of interest. I grew up playing and watching rugby in New Zealand and like many of my compatriots, I am an ardent All Blacks supporter. I’ve also lived in Australia since I was 11, and have a South African girlfriend who I subject to hours of rugby watching.
Moving to Australia at an early age could have swayed my loyalties – at least from a rugby sense – from the men in black to the Wallabies, who experienced a pretty healthy level of success over the All Blacks in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.
To my father’s approval, I’ve remained a steadfast All Blacks supporter, though have always followed the Wallabies and South Africa’s rugby pretty closely.
Both nations bring different approaches to the game. Australia, with their rugby nous and individual brilliance, have always been a threat to the All Blacks, and despite a few turbulent years with mixed results, coach Michael Chelka has added some real rigour to the squad. They’ve got a couple of tricky assignments to get out of their pool of death in the Rugby World Cup, but with a renewed sense of confidence following a couple of hard fought Rugby Championship victories, will be a real threat.
I really enjoy watching the All Blacks and the Wallabies duke it out, but I particularly enjoy the rugby rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa, and see the Boks as the biggest threat.
The two nations have traditionally played sharply contrasting styles of rugby: the All Blacks preferring a fast-paced, highly skilled, athletic game versus the sheer might, tactically astute and devastatingly strong forward game employed by the Boks.
The contrasting styles have been fairly equally rewarded on the international stage, at least in the Rugby World Cup where both nations (and Australia) have won two apiece. The Boks’ game is evolving under Heyneke Meyer, who is complementing their strong forward pack and the ability to dominate most teams in both the set piece and the break down, with a resurgent backline led by Handre Pollard and the in-form and devastating Jesse Kriel and Damien de Allende.
Despite a couple of recent narrow losses, South Africa are building a formidable squad and playing style, and will be a huge danger in the Rugby World Cup.
The enduring features of the All Blacks/South Africa rivalry are two-fold: intense competition on the field and respect for each other off it. There is an obvious mutual respect between the two teams and a lot of the players genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Steve Hansen and Meyer are fierce competitors during the game, but are happy to catch up for a beer afterwards, which typifies the relationship between the two teams.
Seeing images of Charles Piutau and Willie Le Roux having a chat and a laugh after the recent Ellis Park Test made me wonder why these two nations can manage that camaraderie after such a brutal game, and why it doesn’t seem to be extended towards the Wallabies.
I’m not suggesting Australia doesn’t enjoy a cold beer and a yarn with their opponents after a match, but they don’t seem to have that same level of amicability with their opponents. Perhaps this is an Aussie trait – after all, Michael Clarke recently got criticised for not having a beer with the Poms after losing the second Ashes Test.
After Day 1 of the latest Test match, I can’t imagine he’s keen on a drink with the enemy just now either!
Biscuit
Guest
I don't get the point of what you're trying to say. Go back to NZ, or Spain!!!
RobC
Roar Guru
I went out with a girl named Liz Dexia. Or something close to it.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Your team lost Brendan and your poor sportsmanship is pathetic. The All Blacks rarely lose games so it shouldn't be too hard to handle it with grace rather than attack the integrity of our national team or people as your first reaction. As for the Ashes, that is just a poor and irrelevant comparison. Jimmy Anderson was playing media games to stir up the Aus players & I think you'll find he is the only one on the outer with the Aus squad. A bit of class wouldn't hurt?
Ra
Guest
Thanks for your comments Guys. Unfortunately, the kid tipped us over. The Aussies did a Highlanders on us. I didn't see much of the game because it wasn't shown free to air in Darwin and my stream online was playing up - bad timing !! Congrats to the kid, I'm looking forward to the comments and congratulations to the Aussies too, a well deserved series win. And I sure as hell hope Ritchie and the boys share a cold one with the Aussies tonight. Unfortunately my very non sports following Aussie wife gets the bragging rights in our house tonight. Sad really - what a waste - she asked; who was playing; oh did we? Oh its about time, thank you dear (eyes firmly fixed on some non descriptive cooking show on tv - what a waste !!.
riddler
Guest
nice call chivas.. well played..
Rebel
Guest
Very passive agressive Chivas, I like it.
Jerry
Guest
Grrrr. Next year is our year.
Chivas
Guest
Yes Jerry, but that is because you support the Hurricanes and Lions so understandably have little confidence when it comes to winning the important games.i expect OJ or Rugby Tragic to be more upbeat than a Hurricanes supporter :-)
Emric
Guest
I always wondered what we did to make you hate us so PK
Chivas
Guest
Peter, the public backlash as demonstrated by many Aussie fans here on the roar towards Beale and co when they shared a joke with their counterparts in the AB's was in my view quite ugly much like many of the feral comments which have been directed at coaches and players. This has never represented Australians I know or the ANZAC spirit, but rather a number of small minded, ill informed and ignorant individuals which unfortunately are not of any particular, race or religion but can be found in all walks of life. I do sometimes wonder if they are attracted to and congregate to talk back shows and blog sites.
Jerry
Guest
Couldn't resist. I rate the Wallabies are as a real chance to break that winless run tonight, to be honest.
Loosey
Guest
You got me there Wardad, it was one of the draws where the ABs missed the record streak. Due to watching it on the TV I noticed a distinct lack of sportsmanship from the ABs. Our last victory was Deans... Jerry, as I just proved, I couldn't remember the last time we won, hope you enjoy that...
Jerry
Guest
Gimme your lunch money.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ Crystal Rage Too funny... I was only thinking of our Aunty Helen the other day with like the RWC nearly here. I sincerely hope she hasn't left us... and as in deceased... passed-on ?? Mind you... she did have a healthy appetite for young men !
wardad
Guest
Utter nonsense ,and I was at Suncorp and the ABs had no probs congratulating the Aussies there .
wardad
Guest
I joined the Aussie Army while still having NZ citizenship .
wardad
Guest
"Lysdexia lures KO ?"
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ra... love your style. Great post.
Jerry
Guest
"Why did the ABs refuse to shake hands with or applaud the Wallabies after the last time we beat them?" Cause it was in prehistoric times before either of those actions became a social ritual?
Jerry
Guest
What the f__k did you just say about New Zealanders?