(h/t The Guardian) England are only two days into their tour of New Zealand and already they are divided. During the recent edition of the England team’s World Cup anthem, the World Cup Peatbelly, the players take a knee.
Both Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane took the knee on their way to the huddle during this year’s World Cup. They came out of the huddle to a standing ovation.
Last Friday’s “New Zealand Concert” was intended to bridge the cultural divide between two countries with a history that rarely resembles the countries known more broadly to the world. It seems Southgate’s attempt was not popular with many in New Zealand.
Sports reporters had strong opinions, based on feedback, as they watched Southgate take a knee and I have thought about this controversy.
I see my answer to the question of why the New Zealand players showed their solidarity with the white supremacists in Charlottesville as, in part, the number of fans who are black and Asian on social media (in this country I am proud to be one of) finds New Zealand in the same category of inclusivity as the “northern states.” Just this week, we have seen calls for New Zealand clubs to stop “race baiting.”
A few of the thoughts after the match:
By Michael Hunt, WCup Peatbelly correspondent
New Zealand has only a smattering of rugby star players – again, as many Australians apparently do – and we were a good few years behind England in terms of engaging in collective publicity.
But, today, at least I’ve always been a bit bewildered by the lack of interest in games between the two countries.
However, the anthem debate changed my perspective. I respect Steve Hansen, the Australian who led New Zealand to a fourth World Cup victory last year, and even less the New Zealand coach Nick White. They have both encouraged more debate in a country with a strong cricket tradition.
Ireland’s famed Gerry Ryan used to say that he didn’t want to fit into a box. New Zealand’s very public views on the anti-Warwick Davies memorial debate suggests that time may be up for McGuinness’ “all-out, blind-hearted sacrifice for pride and pride alone.” There has been so much mention of that “second wrong step” because it offended almost everyone. The New Zealanders had to do something, and they did. I guess it also says that rugby rules, then and now.
By John McAfee
I just can’t understand why. I saw the game as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know what it is like to play for your country against the best team in the world. It is not a partisan issue of the stars kneeling, it is a feel-good, fair-minded deal.
I am happy for our local heroes, and that the players kneeled, supporting their coach.
New Zealand could put a pay move on all players in this big game and we still wouldn’t take the stand they did.
New Zealand, would you take that stand? Yes?
I will be watching the New Zealand match again to give my opinion.
