2023-09-15 12:37:06
After a checkered preparation, ending with the biggest defeat in their history against South Africa (35-7), we knew they were far from their best level. The opening match of the Rugby World Cup against France, won by the Blues (27-13), confirmed this. However, the All Blacks, who are playing their second group match against Namibia this Friday, September 15, continue to fascinate the world of ovals.
Triple world champions (1987, 2011 and 2015), the New Zealanders play flamboyant rugby, made of dazzling runs with ball in hand, while being capable of revolutionizing the scrum, as they did at the beginning of the century, with their formation with two heels instead of one.
The Black Mystery
But it is even before the kick-off that the myth of the All Blacks is maintained, in each match, with the haka, this traditional warrior dance aimed at gaining psychological ascendancy over their opponents. “The wider media coverage of rugby in recent years and social media have contributed to the mystery surrounding the All Blacks, which no other team in the world has,” explains John Nauright, director of the Sport, Movement and Social and Human Development (SMASHD) research group at the University of Sydney.
An issue of image and notoriety well mastered by the protagonists themselves. “The haka leader has to be ugly and scary. Since 99% of players are themselves, this is not a problem »quipped Liam Messam, former All Blacks player, in 2013.
Beyond folklore, New Zealand identity also takes root through the rules set by the country’s federation. New Zealand is now the only country in the world to only select players from local clubs.
A fact “important to keep our philosophy”, judges with hindsight Byron Kelleher, former scrum half of the Blacks from 1999 to 2007. “Of course, and that was the case for me (1), there comes a stage where we aspire to discover other cultures, but that is when it is natural to hand over the reins to new generations. »
A social elevator
Because beyond sport, rugby in New Zealand remains above all, for many young people, a marker of identity and a means of accessing higher education, in particular through obtaining scholarships. “Rugby is omnipresent, accessible and generally free, whether in public or private education. This gives the opportunity to grow socially, no matter where we come from and whatever our social origin.” explains Byron Kelleher.
Less well housed, in poorer health and more disadvantaged than New Zealanders of European ancestry, the Maoris, who today represent 17.4% of the country’s population, have found in this sport a path to social advancement. .
“Rugby is one of the most visible spaces of Maori successsummarizes John Nauright. Former players have moved into administration, politics and business, partly thanks to their successes in rugby. Since 2000, this possibility has also existed for women. »
One of the best examples of this is Farah Palmer, captain of the Black Ferns, the women’s rugby union team, during three World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006). Now vice-president of New Zealand rugby, she also teaches at Massey University (Palmerston).
However, New Zealand is sometimes accused of snatching players from neighboring islands, Samoa, Tonga or Fiji, to recruit for its national team. Over the past fifty years, several players from the Pacific Islands or from migrant communities in New Zealand have represented the All Blacks. The most famous being winger Jonah Lomu, of Tongan origin.
“The fact that players of Pacific Island descent can play for New Zealand has increased competition, but, as with Māori and New Zealanders of European descent, it provides more of an incentive to succeedJudge John Nauright. At times, the other selections complain while being aware that rugby comes out a winner and remains, to this day, the best advertisement for this rather isolated region of the world. »
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New Zealand – Namibia, the match of extremes
Heavily defeated against Italy in their first match (52 to 8), the Namibians, led by South African Allister Coetzee, have few illusions about the outcome of their World Cup. Their historical precedent against the All Blacks does not speak in favor of the “Welwitschias” either. In 2019, in Japan, the latter suffered the lightning of New Zealand, losing 71 to 9.
Namibia, a country in southern Africa with 2.5 million inhabitants, also holds the record for the largest defeat in history, during the 2003 World Cup against Australia (142- 0). The team then conceded 22 tries. In this duel of extremes, New Zealand must collect points after its disillusionment with the XV of France, before facing Italy on September 29.
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