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The Roar

Zakaia Cvitanovich

Roar Pro

Joined September 2017

46.7k

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A NZer living in the Middle East who’s passionate about rugby.

Published

Comments

Carlos, you realize Abu Dhabi and Dubai are two different places don’t you? Perhaps you should do some research, like I do while writing, before accusing others. Oh, and what’s my place of residence got anything to do with this? What are you trying to say? People that live in the UAE don’t have a right to an opinion? Because I don’t pay tax I shouldn’t concern myself with rugby? I’m curious why you would even bring that up.
You obviously have an issue with me more than what I write. And that’s your prerogative. But don’t try to cloak it as anything else.
How is this article “saintly”? Where did I claim the ABs are saints? I didn’t, did I!
How is this click-bait? The title of the article is clearly related to the content, so no ‘click-baiting” was involved.
You’re first comment wasn’t even about this article… It was about an article that I wrote and submitted before I went on my summer holiday, and that was published while I was touring the Balkans for 8 weeks. So I’m sorry that I missed replying then.

The language of rugby

Thanx Akari.
Actually, Shield’s parents both moved to NZ as children themselves. None of the mainstream articles at the time mentioned that.

Fake news: 'Poaching' allegations the latest slight against the All Blacks

How is it being provocative? It’s a piece I wrote after making notes over quite a period of time. How exactly was I “playing with words” in the other article? I’m gathering this is the paragraph you are referring to: “In the same era, Argentina selected 294/4, Australia 136/43, England 177/44, France 235/24, Italy 134/59, Ireland 135/43, Scotland 100/76, South Africa 210/10, Wales 153/40. These stats beg the question as to why New Zealand is the only country constantly accused of being the poacher of world rugby?” So please explain exactly how that is playing with words? There’s no provocation there at all – in fact, it’s pretty clearly stated. The paragraph contains sourced facts, followed by a rhetorical question.
So good on you for trying to put words into my mouth but… wrong! Also, my intention wasn’t to imply Argentina use “foreign-based players like NZ or Australia…” at all. If that was my intention, why on earth would I have written the following: “Forty-three Wallabies have been foreign-born, but New Zealand is the poacher! Forty-four men born outside of England have played for the ‘roses’, but it’s New Zealand that pilfers outside talent.” Did I mention Argentina in that particular paragraph? No, I didn’t. I mentioned Argentina in the earlier paragraph because I was looking at every Tier 1 nation. No doubt if I’d left Argentina out you’d have found umbrage with that too! That article was about the accusations that NZ are constantly coming under for fielding so-called foreign players. I mentioned a lot of countries in that article… so the implication was obviously that it’s not just NZ doing it. I would’ve thought my final sentence made my “intention” clear: “Why is New Zealand the only country that is consistently singled out for “poaching” when so many other countries are doing it, and many are in fact worse?” So to reiterate my intention, since you seemed to have missed the many rhetorical questions, was to show that many countries field foreign-born players.
All my sources are given in each article. The source of the stats pertaining to Argentina was in the paragraph above where it stated that Argentina have fielded 4 foreign-born players. The source isn’t difficult to find – but admittedly, you have to do a bit of leg-work so here are the names… Esteban Lozada (Belgium), Horacio San Martin (Brazil), Francisco Leonelli Morey (Bolivia), Rolando Martin (USA), Cancelliere (USA) and Javier Ortega Desio (born in Brazil). Both Matías and Alejo Corral were born in BA – there’s no confusion there at all! And there were more than four! The prerequisite was “born overseas” which was clearly stated, so parentage or immigration wasn’t a factor.
Now, to get back to this article… where did I say the ABs have never been dirty? Putting words in my mouth again?

The language of rugby

Lol not triggered by anything but language. I’ve also written a few academic papers on female representation in film, theatre and the media… It’s about language – I thought I made that obvious.

The language of rugby

Lol I’m not playing the “victim” at all. As an academic, language and the power it wields interests me. One of my early dissertations was comparing Trans-Tasman commentary in Bledisloe Cup matches. Was that thesis adhering to “victim mentally” too?

The language of rugby

The article is about the inconsistencies in the language being used to either vilify or plant seeds.
And for your information, I’m a staunch ABs fan AND a rugby person. Oh and I’m a university lecturer in Applied Media so I’m pretty au fait with how journalism operates (if I didn’t, I probably shouldn’t be teaching journalism classes!).
You are aware that The Roar is a “sports opinion website” aren’t you? This is my opinion, based on my observations and research.

The language of rugby

Or pasta!

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Thanx Fionn

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Thanx

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Thanx Cliff

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Yes, I agree that it’s been blown out of proportion by inflammatory headlines.
As far as I’ve read, public places doesn’t include rugby pitches. That wouldn’t make sense as there have been numerous tattooed players playing in Japan for awhile.
The bathhouse thing has always been an issue for tourists, which is why they’ve started a website ranking all bathhouses, inns etc. with how tattoo-friendly they are.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

So because you’ve learned some history, you’re the font of all knowledge?
I agree, the colonizers showed no respect to the indigenous people, anywhere that was colonized. However, how this relates to RWC 2019 is beyond me.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

But how is this related to my article? You’re just trying to make this into something it’s not. Where did I even mention how the colonizer treated the indigenous people of either Australia or New Zealand? That’s a completely different issue.
As an aside… I’m Pakeha but all my siblings are tangata whenua (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhii and Ngāi Tahu), and when they travel, like me, believe in showing respect to the countries they visit.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

I agree Fionn. And if it’s too difficult, or if it’s against your morals/beliefs… don’t travel. Simple solution.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

I provided the history lesson because I noticed people condemning Japan without any background. And how is purely asking people to cover up in public, imposing their beliefs on others? They haven’t threatened deportation or legal action. It’s merely a request.
When people go to NZ, we also have expectations… so according to your rationale is that also wrong? Is that NZ imposing “its beliefs on others”? Because I don’t think it’s wrong at all.
Should Aboriginals be okay with people climbing all over Uluru? Should tourists wants be more important than indigenous beliefs.
Nobody forces anybody to visit another country as a tourist. But when you’re there, how difficult is it to follow their wishes?

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Thanx ChrisG

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Yep, you’re right about the misconceptions mainstream media employ. However, I’m not sure “most do” listen to independent media these days… if that were the case, I wouldn’t have needed to write this piece.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Totally agree. I’ve recently been to Somaliland and had to swim in the Gulf of Aden covered from head to toe. Their country, their rules.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

As a kiwi, those comments aren’t exactly new. But you’re right, it is ironic.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Well, if that’s the kind of tourism you’re into…
I’m also looking forward to RWC 2019 and I think the Japanese will host a wonderful tournament.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

I don’t think so either. It’s what we expect when people come to NZ.

When did showing respect become a big ask?

Thanx John.

The language of rugby

Thanx zhenry.

The language of rugby

Thank you. And yes that was my point.

The language of rugby

Sorry, I explained after your first comment.
The article wasn’t written to garner sympathy or pity. It was something I had noticed and thought it worth examining a bit more closely.
Just as the ABs don’t need your sympathy, neither do I! You really have missed the point I was making. And as you rightly pointed out, it’s a long article, so I would’ve thought my point was made.
Language is powerful. Language is being used to manipulate people.
End of point.

The language of rugby

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