Why we need another national sport
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
The shambles that is the All Blacks’ habitual efforts to bungle rugby world cups, that’s why.
Every four years the same cycle, the same hype and the same two labels – favourites and chokers, or more fitting, favourite chokers.
While the All Blacks have scampered home to sit on the naughty step, Kiwi’s around the globe are again embracing themselves for constant ridicule and another four years pondering ‘what if?’
So as the ritual changing of the guard happens – let’s not forget the player’s role in this failure – the question should be asked. Do we need a new national sport?
Here’s one suggestion, the competitive world of lawn bowls. Forget taking players out for ‘conditioning’ – not your hair All Blacks, lawn bowls requires a steady hand, a will to win and freshly pressed white uniform – sweat bands optional.
What more could you want? This sport has all the excitement and skill of any rugby test match.
I’m not saying that bowls is the answer or that we should turn our back completely on rugby, I just wonder if we should be continually dedicating as much national attention and support to a team that has failed to emerge from the shadow of our 1987 glory. The All Blacks should have to earn our attention by winning when it counts!
posted by Tim @ 11:27 am,
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