From: hist1261@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: rec.sport.rugby
Subject: Re: Its great to be on top
Date: 24 Jul 92 01:03:52 GMT
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

In article <1992Jul23.103425.1@wombat.newcastle.edu.au>, ccpcg@wombat.newcastle.edu.au (PHILIP GREENTREE VK2IW CCPCG@WOMBAT.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU) writes:
> I have read with fascination, the griping, whingeing, moaning,
> teeth gnashing, hair pulling and general cries of doom and
> national woe that is pouring out from some NZ contributors. 
> Welcome to the real world New Zealand !!
> 
> Over the past couple of years, I have watched NZ Rugby rapidly
> facing the real world without the average Kiwi able to grasp
> what is happening.  It is not surprising that some Kiwis are
> unable to mention the names of various ABs that have turned
> professional.  Sorry fellows, you had better get used to it.
> 
> Ever since the Rugby League was first formed in Oz in 1908,
> Australian Rugby has been raped, pillaged and generally
> stuffed by the numerous league clubs supported by multi-mil-
> lion dollar supporter's clubs.  
> 
> Rugby League is a professional game, the sole object of play-
> ing in the NSW Rugby League competition is not for the fun, or
> the gentlemanly spirit, but to win.  There are few accolades
> for the losers, all that matters is wining the grand-final at
> the Sydney Football Stadium.  League clubs want the best
> players they can buy, that's right... buy.  Australians took
> it for granted that after every Wallaby tour of the Home
> countries and France, there would be large scale defections to
> League.  After all, if you are in your early twenties, trying
> to establish the life ahead of you and a league scout offers
> you half a million dollars to turn professional, what would
> the average fellow do.
> 
> Some how Australian Rugby has been able to weather the storm
> and still maintain some sort of balance and a decent national
> side.  We found a real coach in Allan Jones who did what no
> other coach had done before, he taught the Wallabies how to be
> winners. By the time the Jones magic had worn off, Bob Dwyer
> was ready to come back and pick up the reigns.  We all know
> what has happened since then.  Australia has been swept by a
> most extraordinary wave of national belief, particularly on
> the field of sport.  You only need to watch the magnificent
> spectacle of 40,000 supporters staying till the end of an
> international and singing "Advance Australia Fair" after the
> match, as well as before.
> 
> Australian Rugby players have learned how to be winners, a
> lesson that took many years to learn from the ABs.  They have
> realised that you have to play virtually till the death to be
> winners and only the supremely physically fit can last the
> distance.  They are a team that wants to win, plays to win and
> does win.
> 
> Stop whingeing fellas, Oz has beaten you five out of the last
> six outings.  who cares whether it is by one point or not. 
> How often have you done that to other teams and told all
> concerned, you were still the best.  what about that magnifi-
> cent British Lions team that scored five tries to nil yet
> still lost to the ABs?  Come on fellas, grow up and take it
> like the men you claim to be.
> 
> Now that Auckland has been admitted to the NSW Rugby League,
> you are about to face the same rape and pillage that Oz Rugby
> faced for all these years... till recently.  Auckland is in
> that comp to win, not for the fun of it and when they turn up
> with an open cheque book sponsored by many Auckland busines-
> ses, good by to many ABs.  NZ League is growing rapidly and
> they are out to win the NSW League comp once they enter in
> 1995.  I believe they will do it within five years.  Will NZ
> League's rise see NZ rugby's demise?
> 
> Why are the ABs such a multi-cultural team of international
> mercenaries?  Sure, every country at some time will have
> another nationality play for it (Willy O for Oz) but NZ is
> something different again, they are the only country that
> deliberately manipulates its immigration laws for the sake of
> National rugby honour.  Take the West Samoans, the Cook
> Islanders and other economic refugees from the SOUTH PACIFIC
> out of the ABs and the top NZ provincial teams, and what is
> left?  How would a team of all Pakehas go in AB colours?  How
> will these same Samoans go when offered a half million dollar
> cheque and a chance to play in the World's premier League comp
> and the chance to represent in NZ Kiwis rather than the ABs
> and a chance to live a life financially more secure than the
> slums of Auckland??
> 
> Gnash you teeth gentlemen, the ARU has at last learned to live
> with the League, even it took over 80 years to learn the
> lesson.  We now retain our Rugby players, defections being
> rare these days.  How long will it take the NZRU how to handle
> the NZRL?  I have a feeling that OZ is going to be on the top
> of the heap for a lot longer than NZers realise.   I believe
> the NZ Kiwis are about to become the true threat to the League
> Kangaroos supremacy of international League whilst the
> Wallabies will head the top three that will dominate World
> Rugby for years to come (OZ, SA and NZ). 
> 
> Advance Australia Fair.... Philip Greentree University of
> Newcastle

At least our national coachs are not caught molesting young men in public
lavatories...nor do we aspire to become a new USA through nauseating patriotism
(thank God the spontaneous singing of the national anthem has never become
fashionable outside National Party meetings).

I'd also be careful in bringing up racial issues.  Australia's fine treatment
of its indigenous peoples speaks for itself.  I guess most Aborigines are too
"hung up" to play the white man's game of rugby union.

Richard.