Why don't the All Blacks sing the national anthem like other rugby teams who sing with passion?

Question

The words of the anthem may be old fashioned,but it's still a stirring tune..witness the emotion shown by our athletes,when they win gold at the olympics or commonwealth games,I have yet to see one that is not weeping with pride.

That is the difference between SA and NZ. SA have has some difficult times yet love their country,passionately.The All Blacks look as if they would rather be somewhere else!

And as for putting the cameras in their faces,they better get used to it,they are now professional sportsmen.

Now Americans fly their flag all the time at home,they are proud of their country.

New Zealanders only become proud of the country that nurtured them,when they leave our shores and the realise what lucky people they have been to have grown up in such a wonderful environment!

Get with it All Blacks.Sing the Anthen with passion and Gusto,with tears streaming down your eyes. Perhaps a

solution would be to have the Haka first,then sing the anthem last.

Get lessons from the Welsh

Answer 1

I too abhore the All Blacks smug ignorance in not singing the National Anthem. They slouch in the line up like a pack of Rag Dolls, and make almost no effort at even mouthing the words. Singing the maori version first too maybe a hang up, and by the time they get thru that mouthful they probably only want to get on and play the game. But,  it is patently obvious they have no love or passion or pride in playing for this beautiful country of ours. The other side of the coin however is, unlike days of old when the All Blacks were MEN and worked for a living in between Rugby games and also got a pittance in the way of remuneration from their beloved sport, those MEN surely too, must be ashamed watching not only our players not singing/mouthing (if you cant sing) our anthem, but also the coaches. Have a look at them sometime when your in the stand with your glasses. What does that tell you ?

Answer 2

You know I don't think it matters.  It is not a matter of pride, the ABs have that in the fullest.  You can see that as the anthem is played.

What I do think is that the media should get the cameras out of the faces ALL Test players while their anthems is played!

Answer 3

there is only 2 things that tears on my heart strings apart from my children, the NZ anthem & the all black haka my voice becomes a quiver and my stomach like a knot, this my friend is called passion because  we remember our roots who we are, where we came  from  & who paved the way for us, there is nothing like representing your nation, province, state, or club, but one must do this with pride & dignity, and at the end of the  day make us all better individuals.........

Answer 4

The answer is twofold, firstly, the idiotic tokenistic idea of tacking the Maori verse on back in 2000, when hardly anyone in NZ speaks the language helps to take the passion away.

Secondly, "God defend New Zealand"?

The majority of New Zealanders don't believe in God.

It's an archaic anthem that is well beyond it's use by date.

Answer 5

I'm not a big fan of the national anthem to be honest.  If you're trying to tell me that I'm any less a passionate New Zealander because of it then you're sorely mistaken.  That song doesn't bring me to tears, the land, the people and our traditions (including our sports teams) are what stir my soul.  I can't stand on our mountains, chill at our beaches or watch our All Blacks play the game of rugby without feeling an immense sense of pride for being a part of that.

Those boys go out there and put their bodies on the line, week in week out.  They do it for themselves and for all of New Zealand.  They play with pride, passion and mana it's plain to see that.  Do they really need to sing a song to prove that they're patriotic?  I don't think so...

Answer 6

I was interested that you asked this question because my sentiments are the same. I too have noticed that the All Blacks put a lot of gusto into the Haka, but the same can't be said for the anthem. The truth in part is that it comes down to individual expression. The onus on each All Black to perform a powerful Haka is mandatory - you just can't have a mediocre haka. Whereas the anthem is just a formality.

I don't agree with people who say that the anthem is archaic. Some of the ABs that I have seen that don't sing the anthem were Christians ie. Brad Thorn, Mose Tualihi..Though most NZers aren't practicing Christian, most are not atheist either. Agnostic is a better description, and the antagonism towards the anthem isn't reflected largely in NZ because the majority of NZers want the anthem kept - according to every survey I have read. People like the anthem because it is a parochial act of identity - not whether they believe or identify with the words. Is it any different than whole stadiums united in Australia to sing Waltzing Matilda - a song about a suicidal thief, or what about Swing low, Sweet chariot - an America ***** Spiritual, appropriated for singing at English rugby matches. Hello?!!!

I can remember when Umaga was captain and I think his reasoning for him not singing the anthem was because it looked staunch. Whatever!

I believe that NZers who have problem with the ABs not singing the anthem should be able to ask the AB management to make singing it mandatory. It might sound arbitrary but the ABs are representing NZ in the pre-match formalities, not themselves. Individual expression should be left to the playing field.

Answer 7

There aren't even the words 'New Zealand' on the jersey anymore. They're just a franchise representing $$$ and nothing more. I've seen more passionate (and well skilled) players on Saturday mornings at highschools.

Answer 8

yes i hope they kept the passion in their mind

Answer 9

they arent required to. they are merely required to play the game for thier country, and if they are playing another country, its tradition that the national anthems of both countries be played before the contest.

ive seen some of the players mouthing the words. ive seen others flat out singing it. its thier prerogative.

ps stop trying to bring "american style patriotism" into rugby. singing the anthem is not indicative of ones patriotism of love for country. neither is not singing.

next thing you're going to question why there is no new zealand flag on the uniform, right? or how come the bus the players come to the stadium in isnt made in new zealand. or why thier cars dont have "i love new zealand" bumper stickers.

those players could be making a lot of money playing in europe. they choose to stay in new zealand and represent thier country.

Answer 10

Singing has never been a strong point for Kiwi men.

Personaly I don't care. I've never been able to sing and don't pretend that I can.

But . . . I can drop kick a rugby ball.

Answer 11

two reasons:

have you ever really thought about the lyrics to the national anthem? only god fearing people would sing those with full gusto, and as nz is no longer a 'christian' nation according to auntie helen, the only reason it hasn;t been changed is cos of tradition. 95% on nz don't believe in what they are singing.

nzer's are too cool to show emotion, tears, etc unlike most other countries. we are hard. too hard. sad really. makes for a boring country in a way doesn't it?

Answer 12

Wake up New Zealand, you have the best rugby team in the world, but you still run them down.Ive been in your country for 19 months and have become a fan of the ABs.They are passionate about there country and there sport, also everyone of them is proud to wear the black shirt and are proud of what it stands for.So they loose a game or two, so what, no one is perfect.

Answer 13

Because our national anthem sucks. Take a listen to it forgetting it's our anthem for once, you'll see what I mean. If we had a more stirring anthem I'm certain the All Blacks would pick up like the rest of us when they sing it.

Then again I'm also of the opinion the Haka is overdone since Shelford made it part of the routine...

Answer 14

You are right, they have little enthusiasm about the national anthem. All the passion seems to go into the haka.