The fearsome all blacks

There are few clashes in world sport fought with as much passion as the Bledisloe. Rivalry there may be but the physicality of rugby union and the nature of the NZ-AUS relationship provides for a spectacular confrontation.
It is about far more than bragging rights, it is about national pride.
There is a close but respectful relationship between Kiwis and Aussies. We have a shared history and similar cultures. Our militaries fight on the world stage under a single banner; ANZAC. Like brothers we present a distinct but generally united front to the world.
However;
Amongst ourselves there is insatiable competition. The Kiwis, being the smaller politically, economically, geographically and by population always have something to prove and sometimes seem to define themselves by their relationship with Australia. As for Australia – being the bigger nation, we focus more on our relationship with the world and generally go about thinking a lot of ourselves. It is obviously unthinkable then that little New Zealand beat us at anything (not related to sheep), or should I say beat the crap out of us at anything, which they do all too often on the thugby field.
Here then are the mighty All Blacks doing the haka.




background reading