World in Union » “The cure for an obsession is to get another one”

September 23, 2011 | ONLINE ONLY
Sam Asfahani

When I look at my timetable it tells me I should be writing about the atmosphere here in New Zealand. But the more I think about it, the more buzzwords like frenetic and exciting come up. To put it simply, what’s the point? I thought I would instead try to portray something that makes this atmosphere as frenetic and exciting as it is. And that is in all its essence – obsession.

Few can argue that New Zealand is obsessed with rugby. Everyone has an opinion here; everyone knows their stuff and rugby is everywhere. A daily newspaper, the Rugby Herald, somehow manages to report on several pages of rugby news throughout the world every day, and report well.

Maybe I should correct myself though. New Zealand is rugby mad. But New Zealanders have a very specific obsession. The All Blacks. More than a team, they represent a cult, a being, an ethos. If I had lived under a rock and never heard of this team then the impression from Kiwis is one relative to mythical gods. As I write this on a domestic plane from Wellington to Auckland a beautiful flight attendant is indulging me on the strengths of the All Blacks’ pack while pouring my tea into a plastic cup with Tony Woodcock’s face on. Yes, you read right. Woodcock, the prop. Now I play prop so I hope I don’t offend but the position doesn’t normally hold poster boys and pin-ups. Can you possibly imagine Andrew Sheridan or Gethin Jenkins advertising anything?

But New Zealand doesn’t love Woodcock for his modelling ability. They want him on their coffee cups because he has worn the hallowed black shirt. Because his cauliflower ears and his puffed and battered features show what he has given for a cause that is so supported here. Take our poster boy and one of our favourite rugby sons Jonny Wilkinson. I would hazard a guess that the majority of Brits know who he is. Yet how many know about his rugby, where he was born, who he has played for, how old he is or that in recent years he has become a formidable defender? Now compare to Tony Woodcock, a prop on a coffee cup. Not only have New Zealanders heard of him, they know his life story. Where he was born, how old he is, his club rugby history and how many caps he has.

The greatest characteristic in Kiwis I have encountered is their welcoming and frank approach to life. One specific conversation with a local in Hamilton lead to him telling me the All Blacks are all they have, they represent everything good in New Zealand. This knocked me back. I have dreamt of coming to this country for years, I saw it as a picturesque utopia far from the south London I grew up in. Yet don’t be fooled. New Zealand is a young country with its fair share of social and economic problems. The most worrying and prevalent is the brain drain as thousands of Kiwis jump the Tasman Sea every year for better pay and better opportunities in Australia. Economic problems have also reached New Zealand and social tensions between ethnicities are still extremely prevalent, with land rights still a contentious issue.

But despite losing its best to Australia, despite the two culture approach to governance and despite economic issues, this country of four million people has produced the best rugby team in the world. The more I conversed with the Hamilton resident, the more I fell in love with the All Blacks. The more I realised they represent the best in this country. They represent the coming together of Maoris and Whites. They represent the embracing of both cultures. They represent pride in New Zealand. Even the kit represents New Zealand. It is simple, it is humble, it invites us to instead understand and appreciate who is wearing it, and what it means to them.

But when does an obsession become harmful? Is there too much pressure on these young men to not only perform on the pitch but also hold together an entire country? Sonny, an airport worker in Auckland, quit his job when the All Blacks were knocked out in 2007. Depression rates rose 50%. The entire country was in mourning. I cannot begin to imagine the weight on Richie McCaw’s shoulders.. And what do you expect with the media pressure and the approach from companies such as Adidas or Air New Zealand?

It gets worse. In 2007 All Blacks gave blood to mix in with the ink for their poster campaign. Blood. People were paying huge amounts to have the blood of an All Black on their wall.

Now, the All Blacks are great for this country. A shining example that size doesn’t matter; that hard work, a great structure and determination means you can dominate a global sport. But I am not worried about the state of rugby in New Zealand, or the country’s emotional state if the All Blacks don’t win. What I am worried about is the health and well being of the 30 young men who currently carry the hopes, dreams and expectations of an entire country. I worry for a man like Dan Carter who constantly sees himself on billboards or in magazines, who reads in newspapers that the All Blacks cannot possibly win without him. Who in interviews and on T.V seems so shy and humble. Who clearly was one of those kids who just wanted to be an All Black, wear the black jersey and represent the country he loved. But instead found he would be the face of anything and everything, from anti-perspirant to jock straps. Who actually found that he now, according to media across the world and fiercest here, in New Zealand, holds the key to whether the All Blacks win or not.

How can that be healthy?

2 responses below. Comments are open.

1. Rob Hanley says:

   September 24, 2011 at 2:59 pm

   Great article Sam!
2. Leigh says:

   September 29, 2011 at 10:40 pm

   Excellent article. Great blog so far!

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