Wednesday, February 10 2010

Letters

Bigoted insults just laughable

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Wednesday November 12 2008

How appropriate it is that Vincent Hogan quotes an English journalist in insulting New Zealand ("One wooden, bungaloid, frontier post to another"). It's the sort of patronising pap that the English routinely come out with.

Most of Hogan's other bigoted ramblings are laughable.

Let's take just one . . . "Outside of their own, few people love the All Blacks. New Zealand victories are, by and large, statements of power. They smash teams, then run a bus over the bodies. They play through a vaguely malignant strain of intimidation. So seeing them get nailed is one of rugby's great redemptive offerings. It's like watching the school ruffian pick the wrong fight and end up with a nosebleed".

This consummate example of schadenfreude conveniently ignores the fact that the All Blacks score more tries through the backline than any other rugby nation; that they are synonymous with thrilling, adventurous rugby and divine ball-handling skills and that they are the most in-demand team on the planet. We think the All Blacks can cope without your love, Vincent.

MARTIN MOODIE

PUBLISHER THE CUP IS COMING HOME, NEW ZEALAND