NZ Rugby: All Blacks | Active Adventures New Zealand All Blacks New Zealand All Blacks The first time visitor to New Zealand would be forgiven for thinking that sport was the most common topic of conversation for the average New Zealander. The All Blacks, one of the most successful rugby teams of all time, have their home and origins in New Zealand and are a source of immense national pride. Many foreign visitors are unfamiliar with rugby and its history, but we hope to shed some light on this most fanatically-followed of sports. Keep reading and you should be able to blend right in to some of those pub conversations and be able to watch a full game without wondering what's going on! History of rugby in New Zealand The first game of rugby played in New Zealand took place before the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was formed. From early European times, football in various forms had been played but from the description of the game in local papers, it is certain that the match between Nelson College and Nelson football club, played on 14 May 1870, was played under rugby rules.

Credit for the introduction of rugby to New Zealand goes to Charles John Monro, son of Sir David Monro, Speaker in the House of Representatives from 1860 to 1870. Charles Monro, who was born at Waimea East, was sent to Christ's College, Finchley in England to complete his education and while there he learned the rugby game. On his return to Nelson he suggested that the local football club try out the rugby rules. The game must have appealed to the club members for they decided to adopt it. A visit to Wellington by Monro later in 1870 resulted in a game being arranged between Nelson and Wellington. This match was played at Petone on 12 September and was won by Nelson by two goals to one. In 1871 the game became organised in Wellington and it had spread to Wanganui by the following year. Auckland adopted rugby in 1873 while Hamilton followed suit in 1874. By 1875 the game had become established all over the colony and a team representing Auckland clubs undertook a two-week southern tour.

Matches were played (and lost) against teams from Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson and Taranaki. In 1879, unions were formed in Canterbury and Wellington, indicating that the game was becoming more formally organised. Other unions soon followed but it was not until 1892 that the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was formed to administer the game at national level. Even before the New Zealand Rugby Football Union came into being, overseas tours had been arranged. In 1882 the first rugby team from overseas visited New Zealand when New South Wales toured both islands late in the season. In 1884, a New Zealand team, wearing blue jerseys with a gold fern, returned the visit, winning all its matches in New South Wales. New South Wales sent another side to New Zealand in 1886 and the first British team to visit arrived in 1888. The New Zealand Native Team became the first from the colony to visit Britain when it undertook the longest tour ever in 1888-89.

The first national side to take the field under the auspices of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union did so in 1893, when 10 games were played on a tour of Australia. Since 1893, New Zealand has sent teams to every major rugby country and to some countries where the game is very minor. At the same time, the NZRFU has been host to players from all corners of the world. The game is spreading all the time and although rugby players in some countries may not be too sure where New Zealand is, it is certain they would have heard of the All Blacks. Tours of foreign countries early in the twentieth century were long and arduous. Players spent, literally, years away from their families. The personal sacrifices of such men, and the close team culture that developed over the course of such tours, began to have a magical effect on our rugby. National representative honours were becoming hugely respected, as much for the acknowledgement of those sacrifices and the recognition of the pride involved in making them as for the outstanding winning record we were developing. The 1905 "All Blacks" swept through Britain and Europe displaying a style of rugby that took the other nations by surprise.

New Zealand's long history of innovation in the game really began here, as a team from "the colonies" had never before handed out thrashings of that order to any "Home Unions", let alone showed such a combination of ferocity and grace. The ball was kept in hand, and passed for the fastest to run with rather than kicked for them to chase. Shots at goal were declined in favour of spinning it wide or crashing it forward. Fear of the black jersey was born. Other sides carried on that dominance, as teams led by the Brownlie brothers in the twenties and thirties kept our tradition of innovation alive. George Nepia is still regarded by those who remember him as the greatest player not just of that era but of all time, and set a standard of excellence for future generations of players to aspire to. Teams of New Zealand soldiers in the second World War were instrumental in bridging the gap between the two halves of the century. Most able-bodied New Zealanders enlisted for army service, but no matter which part of the world they found themselves in they would still pick sides during breaks in the fighting and play the game they loved. The All Blacks had become the most feared opponent in the sport.

Fierce rivalries existed between all the rugby powers, but the men wearing the black jerseys with the silver fern and delivering the formal challenge of the haka had a psychological edge on the opposition whenever they stepped onto the field. Men like Colin Meads, Don Clarke, Waka Nathan and Wilson Whineray did nothing to dispel such thinking. The sixties were a decade where New Zealand's pre-eminence was unchallenged. Meads was a sinewy and raw-boned draft-horse of a man, whose outstanding lineout jumping complemented superb skills in open play. He was as famous for his uncompromising attitude as for these skills. Waka Nathan was a bullet off the back of the lineout or the side of the scrum, who terrorised inside backs all over the world and shared that same attitude. Don Clarke was the rock required at fullback, who never missed a tackle and, if the opposition infringed inside their own half, could be relied upon to deliver an almost guaranteed three points. Wilson Whineray commanded the respect of them all, and captained them to wins wherever they played. Modern Day Rugby All Black teams since then have proudly continued the legacy.

Players like Sid Going, Bryan Williams, Ian Kirkpatrick, Fergie McCormick, Graham Mourie, Bruce Robertson, Buck Shelford, Stu Wilson, Joe Stanley, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox, Michael Jones, Zinzan Brooke... all have given their heart and soul on New Zealand's behalf. The sport of rugby now has a World Cup tournament, held every four years since 1987, and New Zealand's success in only one of these so far is no real indication of our ongoing strength. The game here remains an integral part of our culture and identity as a nation, and the unchecked passion we have for the sport will ensure that the future of All Black rugby is as innovative, uncompromising, dedicated and successful as it ever was. The Haka For most non-Maori New Zealanders today their knowledge of Haka is perhaps limited to that most performed of Haka called "Ka mate, Ka mate". Many sports teams and individuals travelling from New Zealand overseas tend to have the haka "Ka mate" as part of their programme. The sports team that has given the haka the greatest exposure overseas has been the All Blacks, who perform it before their matches.

It has become a distinctive feature of the New Zealand All Blacks. Haka Origin According to Maori ethos, Tama-nui-to-ra, the Sun God, had two wives, Hine-raumati, the Summer maid, and Hine takurua, the Winter maid. The child born to him and Hine-raumati was Tane-rore, who is credited with the origin of the dance. Tane-rore is the trembling of the air as seen on the hot days of summer, and represented by the quivering of the hands in the dance. Haka is the generic name for all Maori dance. Today, haka is defined as that part of the Maori dance repertoire where the men are to the fore with the women lending vocal support in the rear. Most haka seen today are haka taparahi, haka without weapons. More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. Haka is not merely a past time of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell on their ability to perform the haka (Hamana Mahuika).

Haka reflected the concerns and issues of the time, of defiance and protest, of factual occurrences and events at any given time. Haka History The centrality of the haka within All Black rugby tradition is not a recent development. Since the original "All Black" team of "New Zealand Natives" led by Joseph Warbrick the haka has been closely associated with New Zealand rugby. Its mystique has evolved along with the fierce determination, commitment and high level skill which has been the hallmark of New Zealand's National game. The haka adds a unique component, derived from the indigenous Maori of New Zealand, and which aligns with the wider Polynesian cultures of the Pacific. The All Blacks perform the haka with precision and intensity which underpin the All Black approach. The Haka Ka mate, Ka mate! Ka ora, Ka ora! Ka mate, Ka mate! Ka ora, Ka ora! Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru Nana i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra! A hupane, kaupane A hupane, kaupane whiti te ra! Hi!

Rugby Football History The early years The New Zealand All Blacks have to be the finest and most consistantly good international rugby side. The first New Zealand touring side to travel abroad went to New South Wales in 1884 and won all 8 games, which included three games with a New South Wales Representative side. 167 points were scored to 17. < 1884 NZ representative side The first New Zealand touring side under the auspices of the New Zealand RFU, visited New South Wales & Queensland, Australia in 1893. However, this side was still not fully representative of the greater New Zealand since three unions were not included in the selection i.e. Otago, Canterbury & Southland (they joined the NZ union in 1895). Despite this, the tourists won 9 out of 10 games (168 points to 44). The first New Zealand representative rugby team to tour beyond Australia were called "The Natives", they played their first game in Britain on 3 October 1888. The Natives had originally been called New Zealand Maori.

After five Pakeha were selected to strengthen the touring party it was renamed by its promoter on the basis that all 26 team members were New Zealand born. In fact two had in fact been born overseas. Most of the team assembled at a training camp near Napier in May 1888, and they played their first match against Hawke's Bay on 23 June. Natives Touring Team After playing nine matches in New Zealand and two in Melbourne in the southern winter of 1888 (with only two losses), the Natives set off for Britain by steamer. Their efforts to retain their fitness during the six-week voyage by shovelling coal and exercising on deck were thwarted by the complaints of other passengers, but they did take part in the first recorded rugby match in Egypt en route. They disembarked at Tilbury on 27 September. Six days later, wearing black uniforms and after performing a haka, a team which had 'caused much curiosity' efficiently defeated a scratch Surrey fifteen 4-1. See the Natives fixture list, scores and player list. A further touring side visited Queensland, Australia in 1897 but neither side played a team representing Australia.

The first international test match was played on August 15, 1903 when a New Zealand touring side met Australia on the Sydney Cricket ground. New Zealand won 22 points to 3. The second international test was a home match the following year when they defeated Britain at Athletic Park, Wellington, by 9-3. The British team were touring Australia and despite them being unbeaten in Australia, they lost two and drew one in New Zealand. They also lost to an unofficial Maori XV at Rotorua. How they got their name The New Zealand test side was not always called the All Blacks, (in the early days they were called Maorilanders, the New Zealanders or even the Colonials), they were given that name during their famous 1905 tour to the British Isles, France and Canada. The 1884 side mentioned above had for its uniform a dark blue jersey with a gold fernleaf over the left breast, dark knickerbockers, and stockings. It was certainly not “All Black”.

After the formation of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1892, it was resolved that the New Zealand representative colours should be “…Black Jersey with Silver Fernleaf, Black Cap with Silver Monogram, White Knickerbockers and Black Stockings…” on the motion of Mr WEllison and seconded by Mr King. This was the standard uniform for some years, though photographs of the 1894 and 1896 teams show that white shorts, and not knickerbockers, were worn. There is no photograph of the 1897 team in uniform–in the official photograph they are shown wearing long trousers–but in the New Zealand Graphic of 14 August 1897 there is a cartoon of a New Zealand footballer wearing a black jersey and white shorts. For the 1905 tour the shorts were changed to black.

The "Express & Echo in Devon appears to be the first to use the term All-blacks when it recorded the day the 1905 touring side beat Devon 55-4 in their first game, "The All Blacks, as they are styled by reason of their sable and unrelieved costume, were under the guideance of their captain (Mr Gallaher), and their fine physique favorably impressed the spectators". By 11 October the Daily Mail by Buttery, had also picked this up and reference “All Black” play and its complement, “All Black Cameraderie”. From then on the new name gradually won acceptance, so much so that by early November, following the match with Surrey (1 November), the Daily Mail made direct mention of the All Black team “that everybody is talking about”. It is also interesting to note that on 15 November 1905 the term “Blacks” had even appeared in the pages of Punch which printed a number of stanzas dealing with the shortcomings of Seddon, the last running as follows: Can it be your head is turned By your team of Rugby “Blacks”? Has the glory they have earned Set you trotting in their tracks?

Well, it's not mere weight and gristle, You must also play the game, Or the referee may whistle And you'll have yourself to blame If you get a free kick where you don't expect the same. Although the new name “caught on” so quickly in Britain, its acceptance in New Zealand was much slower. Seddon, for instance, with that political opportunism which both irritated and amused his opponents, followed up each victory with congratulatory cablegrams addressed to “the colony's football team” (mid-October) or “the New Zealand football team” (4 December). The newspapers were equally tardy in adopting the term but by 21 November the New Zealand Herald referred to the “Triumphal March of the Blacks”. A few weeks later (6 December) it headed a column “ ‘All Black’ Gossip”; editorially, however, it always used the more formal term, “New Zealand Footballers”. Thus on 5 March 1906, the day of the team's arrival at Auckland, the Herald editorially acclaimed the “New Zealand Footballers”, but on the following day it headed its report of the official function of welcome with a bold double-column caption “Return of the All Blacks”.

Meanwhile, throughout the country special shop window displays and feature advertisements “to mark the return of the All Blacks” suddenly appeared. The “All Blacks” had indeed arrived. 1905 tour The title of 'The Originals' was bestowed on the 1905/6 team to your Britain, France and Canada, which arrived home to an official welcome befitting conquering heroes. Pre-tour games: 5 November 24th, 2013 World champions New Zealand became the first international team in the professional era to go all season unbeaten after beating Ireland at Lansdowne Road. Aaron Cruden converted with the last kick of the game to beat Ireland 24-22. References: 1. 1905 Originals. Bob Howitt & Dianne Haworth. Pub. Harpersports. ISBN 1 86950 553 0 2. History of New Zealand Rugby Football - A.C.Swan 1870 - 1945, Pub. 1948 by New Zealand RFU by A.H. & A. W. Reed, Wellington. 3.

An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock 1966 4. New Zealand History online 5. NZ Rugby Museum All Blacks | allblacks.com | allblacks.com All Blacks Looking for something? Type your search below All Blacks The All Blacks dominated the major prizes at the ASB Rugby Awards, and we caught up with the winners for their reaction as they reflect on the 2016 season. Watch The Team New Zealand's national team and highest level of rugby representation achievable in the country, the All Blacks are the most successful international rugby side of all-time. With a winning percentage of 77.1% over 552 Tests (1903-2016) they are noted as one of the most prolific teams across any sport. The first rugby nation to win 500 Test matches, the All Blacks are the current Rugby World Cup champions, winning the title in 2011 and 2015, adding to the inaugural Cup they claimed in 1987.

They have also won 10 of the 16 Tri-Nations trophies, four of the five Rugby Championships contested, and have most recently have held the Bledisloe Cup for 13 years (2003-2016). Overseas the side’s success is notable, winning four of nine attempted touring Grand Slams in 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010. After claiming two Rugby World Cup titles at home in 1987 and 2011, the All Blacks beat Australia in the 2015 final at Twickenham to win their first title outside of New Zealand. Since October 2003, when World Rugby (formerly the IRB) introduced a rankings system, the All Blacks have held number one position for over 80% of the time. As of December 2016, the All Blacks have held the number one position since 2009. The side have also claimed World Rugby’s Team of the Year title on seven consecutive occasions from 2010-2016.

Vista 2016 All Blacks Northern Tour 06.Nov Chicago The Haka | allblacks.com | allblacks.com The Haka Looking for something? Type your search below Teams Previous Teams The Haka For most non-Maori New Zealanders today their knowledge of the Haka is perhaps limited to that most performed of Haka called "Ka mate, Ka mate", which was composed by Ngati Toa Chieftain Te Rauparaha around 1820. Many sports teams and individuals travelling from New Zealand overseas tend to have the haka "Ka mate" as part of their programme. The sports team that has given the haka the greatest exposure overseas has been the All Blacks, who perform it before their matches. It has become a distinctive feature of the All Blacks. ORIGIN OF THE HAKA According to Maori ethos, Tama-nui-to-ra, the Sun God, had two wives, Hine-raumati, the Summer maid, and Hine takurua, the Winter maid. The child born to him and Hine-raumati was Tane-rore, who is credited with the origin of the dance.

Tane-rore is the trembling of the air as seen on the hot days of summer, and represented by the quivering of the hands in the dance. Haka is the generic name for all Maori dance. Today, haka is defined as that part of the Maori dance repertoire where the men are to the fore with the women lending vocal support in the rear. Most haka seen today are haka taparahi, haka without weapons. More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. Haka is not merely a past time of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell on their ability to perform the haka (Hamana Mahuika) Haka reflected the concerns and issues of the time, of defiance and protest, of factual occurrences and events at any given time. HAKA HISTORY The centrality of the haka within All Black rugby tradition is not a recent development. Since an 1888 tour by the "New Zealand Natives" led by Joseph Warbrick the haka has been closely associated with New Zealand rugby.

Its mystique has evolved along with the fierce determination, commitment and high level skill which has been the hallmark of New Zealand's National game. The haka adds a unique component, derived from the indigenous Maori of New Zealand, and which aligns with the wider Polynesian cultures of the Pacific. The All Blacks perform the haka with precision and intensity which underpin the All Black approach. KA MATE The famous haka; Ka Mate Ka Mate, was composed by Ngati Toa Chieftain Te Rauparaha around 1820, with the story of its composition being well known within the oral histories of Ngati Toa and Ngati Tuwharetoa, the two iwi (tribes) most associated with its origins. During a time of conflict Te Rauparaha was being pursued by warriors of a rival iwi, and was hidden by Te Wharerangi of Tuwharetoa in a kumara (native sweet potato) pit, with Te Wharerangi’s wife Te Rangikoaea being directed to sit on top.

Guided by their Tohunga (scholar/priest) the warriors searched for Te Rauparaha and as they drew near he muttered “Ka Mate Ka Mate” (It is death, it is death). Concealed from the Tohunga by the spiritual powers of both food and the woman above, Te Rauparaha was not discovered, and as the searchers passed overhead he muttered “Ka ora Ka ora” (It is life, it is life). When the warriors finally departed Te Rauparaha was able to climb up out of the kumara pit chanting “Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru nana nei i tiki mai whaka whiti te ra”. There are many interpretations of these words and “tangata puhuruhuru” may be a reference to the hairy man (Te Wharerangi), but Ngati Toa oral tradition holds that Te Rauparaha was giving credit to the spiritual power of Te Rangikoaea as he ascended (Upane, Kaupane) from the darkness of the pit into the light of the sun (Whiti te ra!

Hi!) Ka Mate was performed by the New Zealand Native team on their long and arduous tour of 1888/89, and by the “Original” All Blacks in 1905. Haka were traditionally then performed prior to All Blacks matches outside New Zealand through until 1986 when All Blacks Wayne “Buck” Shelford and Hika Reid were instrumental in introducing Ka Mate to matches in New Zealand from 1987, and ensuring that it was performed with a precision and intensity that had on occasion been lacking in earlier years. KAPA O PANGO – THE ALL BLACKS' OWN HAKA In August 2005, before the Tri Nations Test match against South Africa at Carisbrook, the All Blacks performed for the first time 'Kapa O Pango', a new haka for and about the All Blacks. A year in the making, Kapa O Pango was written for the team by Derek Lardelli, an expert in tikanga Maori (Maori culture and customs) of the Ngati Porou iwi. Its words and actions celebrate the land of New Zealand, the silver fern and its warriors in black.

The name might be translated simply as 'team in black'. Captain of the All Blacks when Kapa O Pango was launched, Tana Umaga talks about explains why it was added. Rather than replace the traditional haka, Ka Mate, Kapa O Pango sits alongside it as a new addition to the All Blacks' tradition. Kapa O Pango is performed from time to time at the team's discretion. KAPA O PANGO RUGBY WORLCUP 2011 TEAMS NICKNAMES !!! | Qwophicedi's Blog Perspective, Lifestyle, An expression of Dexterity RUGBY WORLCUP 2011 TEAMS NICKNAMES !!! Posted on September 8, 2011 by qwophicedi In light of the up coming Rugby World in new Zealand 2011 in about a day or so, I decided to write up this article on the various teams that have qualified for the world cup. In relation to this article which is intended to create the awareness and euphoria around the sport in my dear country Ghana. So in little details you will get to know the nicknames of the various teams that has qualified for this year’s big event in the sport.

Aside the world cup there are other competitions like that of the Tri-Nation tournaments which is contested among Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and that of the Six Nations. It’s a lovely physical sport that for a minute through out the game you can’t avoid to take your eyes off . Well I start in no particular order here are the teams that has qualified for the world cup 2011 in New Zealand. Argentina Undoubtedly South America’s top rugby nation. The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed LOS PUMAS. The team, which plays in sky blue and white is currently the only International Rugby Board (IRB) tier one classed nation that has no regular competition, such as the Six Nations and the Tri Nations. Australia Double World cup winners Australia are always a team to watch. Commonly known as the WALLABIES the team compete annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the Mandela Challenge Plate with South Africa Canada The Canadian national side has competed in every world cup to date yet have only won one match each tournament with the exception of the 1991 tournament where they reached the quarter finals.

They are known as the CANUCKS which is slang for Canadians and also sometimes referred to as the MARPLE LEAFS. England The Only home nation to have won the World cup and the team that everyone hates losing to. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won the championship on twenty-five occasions that includes twelve grand slams. England also competes for the Calcutta Cup. They have as their nickname THE RED AND WHITE though not commonly used. Fiji An island nation who have enjoyed greater successes in the Sevens format but have also produced a number of All Black stars. There are approximately 80,000 registered players from a total population of around 950,000. Wondered what their nickname is, THE BATI. France France is a team that will always be unpredictable and can beat anyone on their day. France traditionally plays in white-trimmed blue shirts with blue shorts and red socks, and is commonly referred to as LES TRICOLORES. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. Georgia The Georgia national rugby union team represents the former Soviet Caucasian republic of Georgia in rugby union.

The team’s nickname, THE LELOS, comes from lelo, an indigenous Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Ireland Ireland are currently enjoying what is arguably their best period in history. Ireland competes annually in the Six Nations Championship in which they also compete for the Triple Crown. They also provide players for the British and Irish Lions. And for their nickname, MEN IN GREEN. Italy Italy is always improving with 2007 being their best year yet in the Six Nations. The team is also known as the AZZURI (blues) and “THE GLADIATORS OF ROME“. Italy has been playing international rugby since the late 1920s. Japan Japan often known as “THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS” or more recently “BRAVE BLOSSOMS” are traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia and have both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Namibia Neighbours South Africa where many Namibians play their club game is one of Africa’s representatives at the 2011 World Cup. The Namibian rugby union team nicknamed the WELWITSHIAS.

Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board (IRB) tier system, the team has become regular participants at the Rugby World Cup since their first appearance in 1999. New Zealand The ALL BLACKS which is their nickname are rugby’s most successful rugby team. Rugby union is New Zealand’s national sport. The All Blacks compete annually with the Australian rugby team, the Wallabies, and the South African rugby team, the Springboks, in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with Australia. They also compete for the Freedom cup against South Africa in the Tri-Nations. Romania Romania almost joined the Five Nations and probably enjoyed their best period in the 1980’s. The Romania national rugby union team, nicknamed The OAKS (Stejarii). At their best, during the 1980s, the national side defeated Wales (twice), Scotland (the 1984 Grand Slam side) and France (twice). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks 14-6 but had two tries disallowed.

Samoa Samoa is another island nation with great potential and have also provided a number of All Black stars. The national rugby union team of Samoa is called MANU SAMOA (the name of a famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago). They perform a traditional Samoan challenge called the siva tau before each game. South Africa THE SPRINGBOKS, Bokke or amaBokoboko are the South African national rugby union team. The Springboks (or Springbokke in Afrikaans), as they are commonly referred to, compete in the Tri Nations alongside the New Zealand All Blacks and Australia’s Wallabies. They are also the current world champions and go into this competition as the defending champions. Scotland Scottish rugby dates back to 1871, where they beat England in the first international rugby union match at Raeburn Place Edinburgh, Scotland (on March 27, 1871). They annually take part in the Six Nations which includes the Calcutta Cup. They are known as THE BRAVEHEARTS. Tonga The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed IKALE TAHI (Sea Eagles).

Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao (aka the Sipi Tau). United States of America USA Rugby’s national team is nicknamed THE EAGLES. The United States have always been considered a rugby union minnow. When America wakes up to rugby they will blow everyone away. Imagine a few of their track stars on the wing and you get the idea. Wales The Welsh Rugby Union is also known as UNDEB RYGBI CYMRU. The Welsh are passionate about their rugby but the most important prize remains beating neighbours England. Russia The Russian Union Rugby team which is one of the teams qualified for the World Cup in New Zealand this year are know as the RUSSIAN BEARS which is evident in their logo. Well I am sure that after this little information about the participating teams, your interest has at least been raised. Well if you happen to be in Ghana, you can get to watch most of the games if you have DSTV and I am sure you will enjoy the tournament. The reason is if you experienced the previous one that South Africa won, then this one should be more than a competitive one.

Share this: Rugby World Cup looms and difference between best and rest has grown | Paul Rees | Sport | The Guardian The Breakdown Rugby World Cup looms and difference between best and rest has grown For every stride taken by nations such as Uruguay, the All Blacks have taken a couple of dozen in the professional era, with rugby union not yet advanced enough to justify 20 teams in the tournament Uruguay, with a squad made up largely of amateur players, have barely been mentioned in the buildup to the Rugby World Cup. Photograph: Huw Evans/Rex Shutterstock Thursday 17 September 2015 06.28 EDT Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 08.13 EDT Share on Messenger Close Twenty teams, 13 venues, one winner. The eighth Rugby World Cup dawns, tipped to be the most closely fought yet. All the sides in the top 20 of the world rankings are taking part but the winner will come from six of them, or seven, if France reveal something that has remained hidden since the 2011 final .

The focus is on the regular few: the holders, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England, the four countries who have won the Webb Ellis Cup in the past, with Ireland and Wales regarded as outside bets and France a gamble. Some of the others will make the world take notice, if only for a day, and it will be interesting to see how Argentina measure up after their time in the Rugby Championship but for many it will mark an opportunity they only have every four years to play a tier one nation. England are one of three teams in the top five of the world rankings locked in a group that is the most demanding in the tournament’s history. Throw in Fiji, the Pacific Nations champions with a team made up largely of players from leading professional sides, and there will be little respite for the players involved. The boys of 91: why the first England side in Rugby World Cup final are still hurting Read more The fifth team in the group , Uruguay, have barely received a mention.

It is not bold to predict that a squad comprising mostly of amateur players will return home without a victory in what is the country’s third World Cup; at least in 1999 and 2003, Los Teros had one match in which they could anticipate victory. There have been complaints about seeding teams for the tournament only 13 months after the last World Cup, when Wales had dropped out of the top eight of the rankings momentarily, and running the risk of having a contender exit the tournament at the end of the group stage. It may be hard on whichever one of England, Australia and Wales fails to make it to the last eight – while Fiji have talent to compare with the three, their fitness levels against teams who aim for a ball-in-play time of more than 40 minutes may undermine them – but it is even harder on Uruguay who in their 67-year history have only played three of the eight foundation unions, England, South Africa and Scotland. They will play three in the next three weeks and by the time they face England in the final group round, they will already have been tested like never before.

Only Namibia , who in 2011 were asked to play their four pool games over a 16-day period and conceded 168 points in the last two when injuries and fatigue overwhelmed them, are below them in the rankings, and with points difference a potential deciding factor in who goes through to the quarter-finals, there will be no relief for them. At least their matches are spread over 20 days, with World Rugby this time around deciding that player welfare is more important than the wishes of television and ensuring that the top teams play their share of midweek matches but what is the point of exposing amateurs to such a punishing programme if they then return to obscurity for at least another four years? Rugby World Cup preview No15: Namibia Read more “It has been called the pool of death but for us it is the group of hope,” said the Uruguay coach, Pablo Lemoine. “We have a unique chance to play three leading teams and we intend to enjoy it.

We are really lucky: every group would be difficult for us but the chance to play England, Australia and Wales in one month will never happen for us again.” Lemoine won 48 caps for Uruguay and played for Bristol and Stade Français but the current squad contains only two players who play outside the country professionally and both are with Pro Division Two clubs in France. As with countries such as Namibia, Georgia, Romania, the USA, Canada and Japan, they need to offset their lack of, or small, exposure to the tier one nations by getting a number of players involved in leading club tournaments but they operate from a small playing base, making those such as Lemoine an exception. One of the reasons why World Rugby is so aggressive in its commercial approach to a World Cup and demands a substantial guaranteed sum from the hosts is that the tournament provides nearly all its income. This year’s profit will be about £150m, and while the leading nations will be compensated for the income they have forfeited by not having incoming tours and by not being allowed to advertise their sponsors during the tournament, a substantial sum will be invested in the game in the emerging nations, put into development programmes and suchlike.

It is, though, little compared to what the leading countries generate and probably amounts to little more than the annual bill the Rugby Football Union foots for England’s training base in Bagshot. The Six Nations sides have spent the summer preparing hard for the World Cup, one training camp following another with most spending time abroad. Pinterest The surprising history of the haka: it is not only the All Blacks’ war dance The difference between the best and the rest has grown during the professional era, although the quality of players consistently produced by Fiji, Samoa and Tonga for export has allowed them to remain at least in sight. For every stride taken by Uruguay, the All Blacks have taken a couple of dozen and the chasm between them grows ever wider and deeper. Rugby union is not advanced enough to justify having 20 teams in the World Cup, a number of whom would be better off in a parallel plate tournament. That, though, would hit the profits and so while it may be argued that this year’s World Cup will be the most closely contested yet, it will also again show a great divide in a sport that is growing upwards rather than outwards.

The established countries are too worried about their own finances to invest in acts of socialism – they could, for example, provide compensation to their clubs to ensure that players of all nationalities are released for the World Cup – and after Uruguay fly home next month following their moment in the sun, no heed will be paid to them until the next World Cup they qualify for. The last time they played England, back in 2003, they conceded 111 points and 17 tries having already been thumped by South Africa and Samoa. A similar fate awaits. Who benefits? New Zealand rugby team’s haka dance isn’t just about intimidation | Public Radio International New Zealand rugby team’s haka dance isn’t just about intimidation October 31, 2015 · 11:30 AM EDT Updated: Richie McCaw of New Zealand leads his team during the haka as the South Africa team watch during their Rugby World Cup semi-final match at Twickenham in London on October 24, 2015. Credit: Paul Childs/Reuters When a massive TV audience tuned into Saturday's rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia, they didn't just see a heck of a sporting match.

[Listen to the audio below for a story about the haka. It begins at 6:40.] Player utilities PRI.org <iframe frameborder="0" src="" height="75" width="100%"></iframe> They were also treated to a haka, a traditional “war dance” of New Zealand’s native Māori people that New Zealand's All Blacks perform before each game. The haka is generally thought of as way to spook and intimidate opponents, and New Zealand did triumph 34-17 over Australia . But the haka most commonly performed by the All Blacks, the Ka Mate, has an entirely different meaning if you consider the lyrics. The song was composed by Te Rauparaha, war leader of the Ngāti Toa tribe, after he hid from his enemies in a food storage pit. “That certain haka is actually about being victorious because the person who composed it, he was actually being hunted at the time by a rival tribe. That haka was actually a haka of celebration that he was still alive,” says Paraone Gloyne, a well-known haka dance performer, teacher and composer.

Catch our podcast: The World in Words Each week on The World in Words, Patrick Cox and Nina Porzucki tell stories about languages and the people who speak them. Subscribe Also described as an ancestral war cry, or a “challenge,” haka has its own vocabulary and traditions. We love words at World in Worlds , so we asked Gloyne to tell us about some of the terms key to understanding the haka. Wana: Gloyne described wana as the passion or the intensity of the performers. Ihi: The feeling of watching something and getting goosebumps. “We believe that when you preform the haka well and the wana is high, there’s a connection you have with the audience. The people that are watching you, they feel the ihi,” Gloyne says. Pūkana: The enlarged “buggy” eye look that cameras love to zoom in on. Whetero: The act of sticking out one’s tongue during a haka.

While both men and women perform haka, only men traditionally do “Whetero.” New Zealand All Blacks' (L-R) Liam Messam, Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane perform a Haka before their Rugby Championship match against Argentina Los Pumas in La Plata September 29, 2012. Credit: Photo by Marcos Brindicci / Reuters. Tu: the stance. Haka dancers are taught to stand tall , with legs apart, knees slightly bent but evenly spaced, back straight, left foot touching the ground. Waewae takahia: the stomping of the legs. “If you watch a good haka, all the performers are stamping in time, and the takahia is really the heart beat of the haka,” Gloyne says. "It’s very important that they keep good takahia to keep the tempo of the haka.” Kaitātaki: The leader of the group during the haka, helps them keep time and set the tone. Taparahi: A specific type of haka in which the performers stand in lines and have specific choreography.

The hakas performed by the All Blacks are examples of taparahi, but Gloyne says there are many other types of haka, including a style called “ngeri” in which the movement is not set but is improvised. Haka isn't just used on the rugby pitch. It continues to play a vital role for the Māori, who face many of the same challenges that afflict native people around the world: A legacy of colonialism and social and economic exclusion contributing to a host of modern social problems like high rates of alcoholism and teen pregnancy. Kapa Haka, or performance art haka, is popular with Māori youth, who compete in local and national competitions. The lyrics often address social and political issues within the Māori community. The songs will rally Māoris to address issues and call out injustices. “Anything that’s political at the moment, we’ll compose haka about," Gloyne says. “It’s one of the best ways to connect with our younger generations." Gloyne has written a good example of a political haka, which beings at the 28:30 mark of the video below of a national hapa competition.

It calls on the New Zealand government to commemorate the 18th centurary Māori Wars, a conflict between New Zealand settlers, backed by British troops, and Māori tribes defending their land. Thousands of Maori and Europeans died. “We as a nation, we remember World War I and World War II, but we don’t pay homage to our own history and heritage, and it’s very important that we recongize the orgins of our nationhood. Our children need to learn their stories and learn this history." Gloyne sees the way the All Blacks have popularized the haka as a good thing — “it’s a great way to promote our culture” — but there is a downside as well. Companies have used the haka in commercials, including a recent advertisement in England that featured a former English player drilling a team in what was meant to be a very English response to the haka: the hakerena. Some Māori leaders didn't think it was so funny . “We respect and endear the haka. It is esteemed. It’s not something we poke fun of. We won’t do that to any other culture.

We’re very conscious of the fact that haka is being commercialized and is being used as a marketing tool by people that don’t know anything about the haka, or taken the time to really research the haka." Paraone Gloyne performs in a hapa kapa competition. Credit: New Zealand Sport Sport New Zealand New Zealand is a country known as being very active in sport. You will always find New Zealanders playing or doing one sport or other in parks, at the beach or anywhere with a bit of space. Something worth noting is that despite New Zealand being a relatively small country of only 4 million people, New Zealanders do very well on the international scene at the highest levels. In the last Olympic Games in London (2012), New Zealand obtained 6 Gold medals, 2 Silver medals and 5 Bronze medals. The main sports in New Zealand The national sport of New Zealand is Rugby. Their powerful national rugby team called the All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup THREE TIMES (1987, 2011, 2015) which is more than any other world team. The All Blacks are normally ranked number one in the word according the International Rugby Board (IRB).

The main sports in New Zealand are: Rugby But the following sports are also common … Tennis Extreme Sports New Zealand is the birthplace of extreme sports and adventure. In fact Bungy Jumping was "born" in New Zealand in 1986 thanks to a New Zealander called A.J. Hackett. Some extreme/adventure sports that you can do in New Zealand: Bungee Jumping Trekking / Hiking Diving Zorbing (rolling down a hill inside a great big plastic ball - again, invented in New Zealand) Sport and Children It is very common for children to play some sport after school and often the coaches are the same parents of those kids. It is a way of avoiding additional unnecessary costs and making sport more accessible. Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ) invests $70 million (NZ dollars) every year promoting sport in the young people (from 0-18 años). National Colours of New Zealand The uniform of the New Zealand sports teans is normalmente completely black or white. The silver ferm is the national symbol which is worn on the uniform of every sportsperson representing the national identity of New Zealand in any sport or activity. Names of New Zealand Sport Teams Sport

Question: What nation has a rugby team called the All Blacks?
Answer: New Zealand