Do New Zealand Rugby Fans Deserve The All Blacks?
The All Blacks are the most exciting, dynamic rugby team in the world, so why are their fans always finding new things to be disappointed about, and why are the crowds who attend their games so staid and boring?
Every sports team loves their fans. There’s a deep connection to them, without the support they get from their fan base teams wouldn’t be the same. All except the All Blacks – well, one of them anyway.
60 test veteran Craig Dowd wrote a column recently stating his dismay at how the New Zealand public are “never satisfied” and always “look for drama” instead of just enjoying this current All Blacks team and the incredible rugby they’re playing. At first I thought he was being a tad melodramatic, given that his opinion was most likely canvassed from the media rather than the actual rugby-going public. A media that makes money off drama and opinions that state lack of satisfaction.
But then I started thinking about my own personal experiences of watching the All Blacks. From the first test I went to at Athletic Park back in 1993, where my main memory is watching blokes urinate off the Millard Stand, to the test I’ll be going to on October 22nd, which set me back a cool $170 for the privilege of sitting in the top row behind the posts.
What’s happened on the field over the last 23 years and 30-odd test matches I’ve been to has without question been some of the greatest rugby I’ve ever seen. But off it, in the stands? Memorable isn’t exactly the best way to describe it.
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To be fair, All Black supporters do show up wearing team colours, but that’s got more to do with black being the primary colour of puffer jackets and raincoats in New Zealand. General game conversation is limited to complaining that the team isn’t playing well enough or how long it takes to get a beer. Standing up is frowned upon and usually the only crowd involvement outside of cheering for points is starting Mexican Waves, which in any other setting is a sign that the crowd is bored.
There are some exceptions. If you’re lucky enough, someone might start up and ‘All Blacks’ chant (that’s the chant: “All Blacks”). Someone else may have fashioned a ‘Bring Back Buck’ banner, referencing an event that happened a mere 26 years ago. If Quade Cooper is playing, everyone boos.
Other than that, looking bored and drinking overpriced beer or tiny bottles of Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant mode of expression in the stands at Eden Park, Westpac Stadium and the sparse makeshift stadium in Christchurch. Off the field, you can find such frivolous issues such as not singing the national anthem or the height of socks being brought up.
Dowd’s point is clearly to do with fan opinion in the public arena, however it’s easy to see where it stems from when the games themselves are played in a such a restrictive, judgemental environment. He’d know this personally, given that he played in an All Blacks team with Mark Carter – an Auckland player who who was booed even when wearing the black jersey by the one-eyed Lancaster Park crowd.
Sure, New Zealand isn’t Wales with its mass choir singing. It’s not Argentina with its chanting and throwing toilet paper on the field. It’s not even Scotland, where they cut the lights to create a surreal atmosphere before kickoff. But imagine if going to a game felt like more than everyone just waiting impatiently for the All Blacks to win.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments