Irish Lay out the "Red Carpet" for the All Blacks

This is the latest offering from the local Rag the Irish Independent

By Vincent Hogan

Monday November 10 2008

One of the nice things about the All Blacks coming to town is that they tell us more about ourselves than a whole year of psychotherapy.

When they look at us they see lifelong losers. The bullying gene in their rugby DNA practically froths and bubbles at the threat of losing to opposition of our calibre. In the long history of Ireland and New Zealand playing the union game, that threat has, of course, never been fulfilled.

And the day it is will be the day a group of men in black prepare to go home in ankle-chains.

They have a view of themselves that is routinely validated in competition. Yet, once every four years, they go into spectacular meltdown. And when that happens, rugby has a grin on its face.

Outside of their own, few people love the All Blacks. New Zealand victories are, by and large, statements of power. They smash teams, then run a bus over the bodies. They play through a vaguely malignant strain of intimidation.

So seeing them get nailed is one of rugby's great redemptive offerings. It's like watching the school ruffian pick the wrong fight and end up with a nosebleed.

During the '91 World Cup, I referred to them as having all the "gaiety of gravediggers". Ruthless on the field, they were robotic off it. The description seemed to cause profound offence in New Zealand.

It was the equivalent of setting off a stink-bomb in a church.

Religious analogies aren't inappropriate either. New Zealanders are religious about their rugby. But then they should be. It's pretty much all they've got. Take golfer Michael Campbell out of the equation and exactly what else do they bring to mainstream sport on the global stage?

You may gather that I'm not a fan.

It continues on :

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/co...s-1531014.html

quite an accurate assessment of All Black culture IMO

Interesting article, in that it illustrates that the All Blacks are shouldered with the EXPECTATION of victory, and with so much pressure to do so, perhaps much of the joy of winning is lost... After all, what's an All Black to say after a victory against Ireland? "Uh, we did what we were supposed to do?" Conversely, a defeat would bring unimaginable scrutiny, sort of like when Brazil loses a soccer match.. Are they victims of their own reputation?

Hope so TC the statistics for :newzealand: versus :ireland: are appalling - but much and all as I would love to see an Irish Victory what I'm really hoping for is a ref that stops the All Black's cheating - then all teams might have a chance against them.

After all this game is to be played in Dublin right under Paddy O'Brien's nose - i.e. the new home of the IRB.

TQ1, I hope I get to see the match, in any case, I'll don the Green and White, after all, the past is past!!!

Right mate - I'll supply the tissues (for the tears as the ref pings us like what he did to the Scots last weekend)

Let's hope it doesn't come to that; but I suppose it can't hurt to be prepared!:mad:

The mention of the haka reminded me of something.
Anyone else watch the mungo England v NZ match?
England formed a tight huddle on about the ten metre line near the sideline and contiued to talk and encourage each other.
A bit bewildered for starters, the Benji Marshall led Kiwis came right over to them (ie into England territory) and bellowed at the top of their lungs from an arms length while the poms paid them no notice.
In the long run it didn't do the poms much good but up until half time the Kiwis were off their game and an upset looked on the cards.
I think they take themselves a little too seriously at times.

The haka was originally performed by the All blacks before away matches only.Now they do it before every game,even at home,plus every sporting team in NZ is now doing it,its all so boring now