Roar Pro
Joined September 2017
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A NZer living in the Middle East who’s passionate about rugby.
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It’s good if they don’t. This piece was based on what I’d been reading on FB rugby groups – supposedly ABs fans.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
I know, it was immense eh. The best game of rugby I’ve seen in ages.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
I was actually meaning the posts I’ve seen on FB groups. And I have nothing against post-match dissection and debate. But it’s character assassinations that I think are wrong.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
Yes, it must be easier. But staying on top is difficult. What that old adage, it’s easier to get to the top than stay there…
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
Good point. I don’t remember that post-match conference and I can’t seem to find it. What I have found is an article quoting Hansen as saying “It’s time you start developing your players in your own country.” Is that a complaint or an observation? And has it come to bear fruit with the team now?
And that’s 6 years ago, no doubt Hansen has matured a bit in his post-match media conferences since then. For example those following the BILs second and third tests.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
My brother had been quite a ‘mouthy’ soccer player, we loved reminding him about that when he became a ref!
You’re right about it being easier when your team wins a lot… in a way. But I’m also a NZ cricket supporter… It’s almost easier to support them because of the lower expectations. It’s not a national disaster when we lose the cricket.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
An interesting read. However, those schools offer scholarships. The Boys’ High Schools (Nelson College, Christchurch Boys’ High School etc) dotted all over the country produce top rugby players. The Barrett’s (and Conrad Smith) went to Fransic Douglas Memorial College which is a state integrated Catholic school.
In fact here are the top 10 ABs producing schools in NZ:
Auckland Grammar (State) 48 ABs
Christchurch Boys’ High (State) 42 ABs
Wellington College (State) 33 ABs
New Plymouth Boys’ High School (State) 24 ABs
Southland Boys’ High School (State) 21 ABs
Christ’s College (Independent Anglican) 20 ABs
Otago Boys’ High School (State) 19 ABs
Nelson College (State) 18 ABs
Timaru Boys’ High School (State) 18 ABs
Sacred Heart College (Catholic) 17 ABs.
This list doesn’t look elitist to me.
(https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/photos/sport/producers-schools-with-great-all-black-pedigrees/)
Rugby in New Zealand is at risk of becoming an elite game
Yes, I think so too. It’s the character assassinations I take umbrage with. I don’t really think there’s a need to call somebody “useless” because they’ve had an off night. If they really were “useless”, they wouldn’t be in the team.
I’d would like to think that most of us would show respect to Australian supporters after a Wallabies win.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
I didn’t actually stereotype human behaviour. What I did was provide the background as to the different types of behaviours involved from a scientific perspective and related them to what I’ve personally witnessed. Now maybe to you, that’s going “nowhere”, but to me it’s an interesting addition to the existing literature.
The expectations for cricket in NZ are very different to the expectations for rugby. That’s the answer. And I believe I suggested that in my piece.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
I guess I missed the “gnashing of teeth” bit. What I’m referring to is more along the lines of the character assassinations that follow a loss (some times even a win), which admittedly are often the result of provincial bias. But as I said in a comment above, I think for the most part, most people accepted the loss well.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
You’re right. Last week all the stats favoured the All Blacks… all but the one that mattered. And often it’s the other way around. I’m not saying the score is unimportant. I for one hate losing! But I don’t think the score is the only reason a person should support a team.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
Not really, coz the kids being offered places in these ‘elite’ schools aren’t from wealthy families. Most towns have a Boys High School, and rugby is the focus st those schools too. But coz they’re govt. schools, don’t have the fancy facilities (wouldn’t be permitted to spend that much).
Rugby in New Zealand is at risk of becoming an elite game
I taught at a school who lost First XV players to another school in the city, who then used to lose players to schools in Auckland!
Rugby in New Zealand is at risk of becoming an elite game
And THAT is what being a fan is about.
I must say though, I thought we took this loss better than we have in the past. I guess when there’s no forward passes etc. (????) it’s easier to acknowledge that you were beaten by the better team on the day.
Support shouldn’t rely on the result
I’m not so sure that’s the only reason. I think wanting to play with a team like the Crusaders must be a big pull in itself.
Fan abuse is never great, but the message to the Wallabies is clear
NZ coaches are kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. There’s an expectation for a coach to ply his trade overseas before becoming an ABs coach, so if they’re with a tier one nation, they’re gonna face the ABs at some point.
Joe Schmidt springs to mind. (I still smile at the thought of his mum calling him up after the Chicago game to tell him off!)
Fan abuse is never great, but the message to the Wallabies is clear
Well said machpants.
Fan abuse is never great, but the message to the Wallabies is clear
I’m not sure I agree with them being complacent. I just think the Boks wanted it more, and things didn’t go the ABs way. On another day BB might got those conversions! Or Reiko would’ve caught Jordie’s throw-in and scored a try. I think the ABs would’ve known the Boks were hurting from the week before and expected ahellava battle.
And I think combating complacency would be one of things Gilbert Enoka probably works on with them.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
It was great to see Boks play so well. I’m a kiwi ABs supporter and I don’t like losing, but i was genuinely moved at the emotions from the Boks after the game. The win obviously meant so much. And you know what, a loss has never done us any harm.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Yes, that was sad to see alright. I like seeing the teams mingling in the sheds afterwards. That epitomizes the core values of rugby to me.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Not really the point of the article.
It was an examination into how language is used to manipulate the audience. Either you agree or disagree – of which both are fine.
The language of rugby