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Three time World Cup winner Farah Palmer made Dame

By Sam Smith
Dame Farah Palmer with the Farah Palmer Cup. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images for NZRU

New Zealand rugby legend Dr Farah Palmer has been named a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for her services to rugby.

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Dame Farah’s exploits in the black jersey include three consecutive Rugby World Cup titles, leading the Black ferns to victory in 1998, 2002 and 2006. The long-time Black Fern captain was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014 and just recently was awarded the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service at the 2022 World Rugby Awards.

Having stepped into the governance field, Dame Farah currently occupies roles as Chair of the New Zealand M?ori Rugby Board, and as a member on the New Zealand Rugby Board. Her involvement on these boards as well as her research and advocacy have had a trailblazing influence on the New Zealand rugby community.

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New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson congratulated Dame Farah with the following message:

“Dame Farah’s contribution to rugby has been significant and it is fitting she has been acknowledged with a New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to sport, particularly rugby. She has been an inspirational figure in rugby both on and off the field, but in particular she has been an influential leader in the promotion and advocacy of both M?ori and women in rugby. Her work has richly enhanced our sport and has deservedly been acknowledged in this year’s New Year Honours.”

New Zealand M?ori Rugby Board Deputy Chair Doug Jones said:

“He toa rangatahi, he toa rangatira – a young leader becomes a rangatira (chief). This quote from the late Whetu Tipiwai and the M?ori All Blacks haka seems fitting for Dame Farah’s recognition. The New Zealand M?ori Rugby Board, on behalf of all the M?ori rugby wh?nau are proud and humbled that she has been recognised for her outstanding work in rugby and Te Ao M?ori generally. We thank her and her wh?nau for the time, effort and leadership she has given to us all.”

New Zealand Rugby Chair Stewart Mitchell spoke on behalf of NZR.

“We are fortunate to have individuals like Dame Farah on our Board, in our organisation and involved in our sport over a long period of time. Her acknowledgement today is a source of pride for everyone involved in rugby and I would like to personally congratulate Dame Farah and her wh?nau for this deserved honour. Her contribution around the Board table and beyond has been substantial and impactful.”

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The Black Ferns shared their congratulations on social media:

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Ed the Duck 16 hours ago
Why European rugby is in danger of death-by-monopoly

The prospect of the club match ups across hemispheres is surely appetising for everyone. The reality however, may prove to be slightly different. There are currently two significant driving forces that have delivered to same teams consistently to the latter champions cup stages for years now. The first of those is the yawning gap in finances, albeit delivered by different routes. In France it’s wealthy private owners operating with a higher salary cap by some distance compared to England. In Ireland it’s led by a combination of state tax relief support, private Leinster academy funding and IRFU control - the provincial budgets are not equal! This picture is not going to change anytime soon. The second factor is the EPCR competition rules. You don’t need a PhD. in advanced statistical analysis from oxbridge to see the massive advantage bestowed upon the home team through every ko round of the tournament. The SA teams will gain the opportunity for home ko ties in due course but that could actually polarise the issue even further, just look at their difficulties playing these ties in Europe and then reverse them for the opposition travelling to SA. Other than that, the picture here is unlikely to change either, with heavyweight vested interests controlling the agenda. So what does all this point to for the club world championship? Well the financial differential between the nh and sh teams is pretty clear. And the travel issues and sporting challenge for away teams are significantly exacerbated beyond those already seen in the EPCR tournaments. So while the prospect of those match ups may whet our rugby appetites, I’m very much still to be convinced the reality will live up to expectations…

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