‘Diversity is Strength’, a New Zealand rugby promotional video released last week, was conveniently timed to highlight key aspects of the Israel Folau controversy.
When stretched, the material for the All Black and Black Ferns jerseys will reveal a rainbow image in support of homosexuality.
In the same week, All Black coach Steve Hansen – an old, wealthy, white, establishment male – refuses to pronounce the name of a Maori player in contention for selection correctly.
So much for embracing diversity.
How insulting for the proud family of Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who was on the cusp of the greatest achievement in his young career, to have his name so publicly butchered by an NZRU employee.
Efforts to make the game more inclusive are honourable, but the NZRU attempting to take a lead on matters of diversity is rich given their shoddy record in this regard. Their timing reeks of cynical opportunism dreamed up by some overpaid marketing consultant.
Has there ever been a gay All Black? Not on record and there have been 1170 All Blacks since 1884.
New Zealand society has advanced greatly from the times of Foreskin’s Lament, but many of the cultural hegemonies exposed in that revealing rugby commentary still exist, making widespread acceptance of homosexual players surely difficult to embrace in some dressing rooms.
Let’s consider New Zealand rugby’s record in other areas of diversity.
The NZRU bent over backwards to cater to the racist desires of apartheid (and pre-apartheid) South Africa, as Maori players were excluded from the 1928, 1949 and 1960 tours of the Republic.
In 1970, Maori players were bestowed the insulting title of ‘honorary whites’ and then there was the chaos of the 1981 Springboks visit, which divided a nation. The estimated government budget for that tour was $2 million, but it blew out to $7.2 million as taxpayers’ money was spent on police efforts to keep protesters in check.
What was New Zealand rugby’s response? They tried to arrange an All Black tour to South Africa in 1985, which was later cancelled. Hey, the 1981 tour still made a profit of $190,000.
It took until 20 years after the collapse of apartheid in South Africa for the NZRU to formally apologise to Maori for the hurt caused.
In 2016, Doctor Farah Palmer became the first woman appointed to the NZRU board. It took 124 years and only happened because of a Respect and Responsibility Review (RRR) which was sparked by a spate of embarrassingly public scandals.
In the words of the review: “Six recommendations have been made and the theme of each is focused on: Inclusive Leadership, Better People, Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Engagement and Communications and Accountability and Independence.”
Since when did Twitter become a forum for social justice? Brad Weber and TJ Perenara didn’t speak to anyone in the press about their views on Israel Folau. Both tweeted a short objection and suddenly they’re acclaimed as moral crusaders.
At least they said something for a change. Players rarely say anything interesting, and the lack of genuine characters in the All Blacks is startling.
New Zealand rugby has leveraged the Folau storm to try and disguise their own poor history in addressing diversity. Nice try, but there is still a long way to go and pronouncing Maori and Polynesian names correctly would be a good start.
ClarkeG
Guest
vivid imagination
ClarkeG
Guest
cynical
JeGeniko
Guest
"How insulting for the proud family of Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who was on the cusp of the greatest achievement in his young career, to have his name so publicly butchered by an NZRU employee" Same can be said for the family of Lote Tuqiri, Marika Koroibete, Petero Civoniceva (of league fame).
gumboot
Guest
Apparently, according to the Rēkohu (Moriori) weren't blessed with the "native tongue" either considering that Maori feasted on Rēkohu. Go the Naki Blessed? lol, yep we're still here and NO, my ancestors were NOT a Maori tribe from Hawaiki. Blessed???????
Jacko
Guest
Where was that school????
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Adam needs to to a bit of research; and release the beast - his angst over the mighty All Blacks. Whining ain’t gonna’ beat ‘em. Peace though! Choose that every moment huh??! And so it is... All Blacks can be proud with their handling of this. They were inclusive and supportive; what the world needs.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Triple treat to the beat TTT. Nothing wrong. The rainbow just had divine timing. A lose off the gloss and the sand paper dude, just makes you blame everyone else.
Ben
Guest
https://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/australias-secret-history-as-a-white-utopia-1739916322
jake
Guest
Heaven forbid that the SARU or their sponsors should ever try such a campaign given their history. Actually every country should just accept their own disgraceful pasts (hope you're listening England), wallow around in guilt for evermore and never attempt to do or say anything that might have a positive message. At the very least, check timing with anything that might be going on with Israel Folau first. Hopefully lesson well and truly learnt NZRU.
jake
Guest
Haka ISN'T pronounced Harker?
Dave
Guest
Facts are often ironic- if not palatable
Martin English
Roar Rookie
FWIW, some things don’t change though ... During tonight’s Chiefs v Jags game, one of the commentators mentioned club rugby (in regional NZ, anyway) had been moved from Saturday arvo to Friday night this weekend. Because Saturday is opening day of the Duck Shooting season. (Perhaps the author should join PETA ...)
Misha
Guest
(it was reported they’d touched, manhandled, exposed themselves and had thrown alcohol and gravel at her), I guess you didn't stick around to find out that the investigation found that it was a contracted bus driver associated with the team that did that - no players were involved...but of course thats not what the media wanted to know anything about...the false allegations were far more interesting...
MIsha
Guest
Such an ignorant post - Hansen always uses players nicknames - far more intimate than a boring "Keith Quinn" Maori and Polynesioan pronunciation guide - would anyone except the PC brigade be offended - NO! Btw labelling Hansen as old - (agiest); white (racist) and male (sexist) you are a bigot of the highest degree...YES - I guess experience doens't count in a top job anymore - lets replace him with a young; LBGT angry black female from Zimbuktu? I'm sure that will get results....
Jokerman
Roar Guru
You poor bugger, Andre. I hope you are okay
piru
Roar Rookie
Like JOC?
Bruce Balmain
Guest
Or share some coke in Paris
Jacko
Guest
Dave their Knitting paid for the whole campaign.....who knew ABs knitting was in such demand eh
Jacko
Guest
True Julius but that doesnt make the news papers sell so that is not what they report.
Jacko
Guest
Ray how do you get your house in order without introducing new programs to combat the problems? This is a new program aimed at combating issues in society all over the world...not just NZ...not just Aus...not just anywhere.....Domestic violence is increasing at dramatic rates, Violence is getting more frequent and also more intense and issues dont solve themselves. NZ rugby is no different or on any higher moral ground than the AFL or NRL or most major sports around the world , when they try to run these campaigns to highlite these major issues. You may want to read something different into it just because its coming from NZRU but there is nothing more to it than there is to any sporting organisation trying different ways to combat some very sad things going on in todays society