From: ccpcg@wombat.newcastle.edu.au (PHILIP GREENTREE VK2IW CCPCG@WOMBAT.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU)
Subject: Its great to be on top
Organization: University of Newcastle, AUSTRALIA
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 00:34:25 GMT

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