How far back (small clue, not far) do you need to go to think that this sort of extra curricular activity would never have even been close to being countenanced by an All Black squad?
Not long ago, essentially, sport was sport.
It got political in the Springbok apartheid era, but that was politics from the outside in, not the other way around.
It was Perenara's last time in the jersey, so why not leave with a message? I think that would be the argument for many but, what sort of message?
If one of the blokes from rural New Zealand decided to slip in some support in the post match interview for the current gun reform, or the gang patch laws, how do you think that would go down?
David Seymour, who quite sensibly asked in response to the Perenara views just what bit of equal rights do you not support, is kind of on a hiding to nothing.
We have entrenched camps on this one. No one is in the middle. You either believe in the idea that we are all equal, or you don’t.
Perhaps more worryingly Perenara's performance was spoken about with management and supported by them, so credit to him that it wasn’t some mad, spur-of-the-moment outburst.
For the record, when he says it's important to him, no one doubts him.
It was Perenara's last time in the jersey, so why not leave with a message? I think that would be the argument for many but, what sort of message?
If one of the blokes from rural New Zealand decided to slip in some support in the post match interview for the current gun reform, or the gang patch laws, how do you think that would go down?
David Seymour, who quite sensibly asked in response to the Perenara views just what bit of equal rights do you not support, is kind of on a hiding to nothing.
We have entrenched camps on this one. No one is in the middle. You either believe in the idea that we are all equal, or you don’t.
Perhaps more worryingly Perenara's performance was spoken about with management and supported by them, so credit to him that it wasn’t some mad, spur-of-the-moment outburst.
For the record, when he says it's important to him, no one doubts him.
All Blacks ‘save worst for last’: World media reacts to Turin victory
But lots of things are important to lots of people. But within all our lives are constraints.
One of the constraints around being an All Black is you represent the country as an elite athlete, not a politician or an activist.
As we saw in a much lesser way last week, the woman who may well head up content and news for the state-owned TV station took leave to go on the Treaty protest. Quite rightly, many asked whether that was wise.
We can ask the same question of Perenara and, given he had All Black mangement blessing, we can ask that question of them too.
If the criteria for protest as an All Black is passion, then we are asking for trouble.
What we want in All Blacks are sports people of integrity, professionalism and, preferably, an ability to win a lot.
The rest of it risks damaging the brand, insulting fans and distracting us from the main point of the outing.
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings - where this article was sourced.
19 comments:
To me the really concerning part of this is that the All Black management knew it was going to happen and gave their okay.
Maori being divisive again.
Very fitting the result matched their ideological rubbish, that Italy performed better proportionately.
Let this be a lesson for all elite NZers whether sport, orchestra or dance companies - you support racism at your peril.
NZ is divided but citizens are not allowed a legally binding referendum. We are in really dire straits .
I remember well the springboks tour of New Zealand and the tens of thousands marching for equal rights and voting rights to end apartheid in South Africa. The march last week was unequal rights and self governance for part Māori only.
How on earth did allow this to happen
Did he ask his team mates?
Was it referred to the Board of NZ Rugby for approval? They were only a phone call away.
18 months ago Perenara pulled a stunt that annoyed private investors at the
Hurricanes. One investor said “see you later” and pulled his investment.
Sport has been good to Perenara. A pity this meat head forgot that.
The performance of TPM in Parliament, has destroyed all respect I ever had for the Haka. I would be happy if NO team ever performed the Haka again. It and we have become a joke as a result.
We do remember the rabid reaction to the writings of an Australian rugby players religious views.
Its not the space for religious or political discussion and a pro apartheid view is not what we should aspire to. Be gone the fool, oh he has and good riddance.
Fortunately, since Penenara was speaking Maori, most of the Italians at the match wouldn't have a clue what he was saying. The same goes for the vast majority of the TV audience. So to whom exactly was Perenara addressing his remarks? Outbursts like his will only give ammunition to those who would see the haka banned from the rugby field.
I have several comments on this one: first, I agree with Doug Longmire re Ab management (a significant decision by them, which will have consequences); I do not follow rugby so much but I have always considered the NZ All Blacks to be a representative side, and isn't there a Maori All Blacks team which is put together on occasion? Wouldn't the haka be more suited to that group?
Those of the team who identify as Maori (ethnically and culturally) have every right to do so on a peronal level. However, they were in Italy on the NZ payroll, representing New Zealand.
Imagine this: a US sports team in Europe finishes the game, then a sub-group of players from the South peel off to display a Confederate flag whilst singing I wish I was in Dixie - how do you think that would go down? Yet our fellows just did something very similar.
Your are dead right there, Anon.
We marched against apartheid in 1981.
In 2024, racists are marching FOR apartheid.
I would suggest, that after representing your country on the battle field and claiming victory whilst raising a foreign flag, would bring about dire consequences in times gone by.
Shades of 1981. Did we learn nothing from that nasty period in our history? Keep politics out of sport seems to have been forgotten. Self-indulgent "scenes" are becoming the "modus operandi" of those who object to reasoned argument and common sense.
Just another nail in the coffin of the New Zealand we used to know.
Why does Margaret Court get so vilified for her views? She was a brilliant sports person who subsequently chose a path and has publicised views that make her ostracised. I guess it's all about fashion.
Answer: Identity politics.
..". representing NZ on the NZ payroll" - this is just assumed as part of Maori superior rights in perpetuity!
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If TJ Perenara’s wording into the haka was about the country being united, I would feel some sympathy, but if it only meant to motivate Māori to mobilise, which I suspect was his intention, then he chose the wrong venue. The bottom line though is, “politics and sport don’t mix”!
Along with the display of the fake flag at the Italy test !
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