Why do many New Zealand rugby players refuse to sing their national anthem? Is it a cultural protest?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I don't think it is a cultural protest by non-Pakeha rugby players, I just think that it is the way of everyone who lives in New Zealand to be conservative and be quiet, polite and not openly express ourselves in a way which will draw attention..

Christian Karembeu who played soccer for France is New Caledonian I think, and he refused to sing the French anthem because of what France had done in the past - French people had exhibited his ancestors in zoos alongside monkeys and animals. New Zealand in the past has done some bad things true, For instance oppressing the people of Samoa, committing atrocities against female relatives of Maori rebels, and wanting to suppress the influx of Chinese. But I don't think that it is hateful that they are not singing, it is in most New Zealander's upbringing that we are taught to be conservative people and not to wear our hearts on our sleeves.

And it is racist to say that non-Pakeha All Blacks aren't from New Zealand, migrants and migrants from the pacific help other new zealanders everyday, and we must share New Zealand, we all pay tax, help eachother through the work that we do etc etc.

Just because a player may not appear to be a 'New Zealander' doesn't mean he is less of a citizen. He contributes, he plays better than the next man, and where would the ABs be if they just selected players who are of Pakeha descent? We really need to relax cos Pacific and Maori players may not be strong in some areas of the game so therefore that is why the tight five is usually 'Pakeha' while the outside backs are usually Polynesian..

And I would desire an anthem change and change of flag but it wouldn't be right given that soldiers who fought in WW1 went there as British and came back as New Zealanders..

Source(s):

I'm a New Zealander and im proud to have Samoan Maori and 'Pakeha' blood.. All my ancestors were migrants to New Zealand.

Answer 2

The national anthem is not a christian prayer, it was originally a poem written by an Irish immigrant. The original national anthem was God Save the Queen, but God Defend New Zealand became more popular. The anthem is sang first in Maori and then in English so its more common that people aren't singing because they don't know the words! (not the case of the NZ rugby players). The national anthem is important, but for NZ rugby the Haka is much more dominant, it is part of their heritage as a nation, it is a war cry, showing the other team they are ready to fight!

So if I was to choose which one to put more passion behind, a national anthem written by an Irish immigrant or a Haka demonstrating the history and tradition of a nation...... its a no brainer!! (and poking the tongues out is part of the haka, its not a rude gesture!!)

Answer 3

I think the All Blacks are just a snapshot of most NZers.

The national anthem and national flag of New Zealand don't hold the same mana as the haka or silver fern.

Partially to do with the actual anthem. It's not inspiring in the same way that say the Scottish national anthem is. The national anthems of the countries that do belt it out often have historically significant or inspiring national anthems. New Zealand's by comparison just doesn't do it for me.

An anthem with something about the adventurous spirit of NZers, willingness to try anything once and overcome problems by any means possible would be more likely to strike a cord with both Maori and Pakeha NZers than a prayer to God to save us.

Source(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA6cnXFiE…

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellane…

Answer 4

Not a cultural protest, they're just savouring the moment and reflecting inwardly. They don't have to sing the anthem, although there is a lot of pressure lately for them to do so. They move their lips more than they used to and it is against teams like Italy and Wales that it really shows as teams like that really get stuck into their anthems.
Australia is similar to NZ, but even they move their lips a bit more. NZ crowds are similar to the team, quite often there'll be 40,000 kiwis and 5,000 visitors to a test in NZ and the 5,000 visitors sing louder than the 40,000 locals combined.
I guess we're just not into jumping up and down saying look at us in the sense of nationalistic pride. We are very proud to be Kiwis, but we just don't tell everyone else about it. Our outward showing nationalistic pride has always been conservative, it's just part of our culture.

Answer 5

Its hard to explain to some one who hasn't experienced high intensity sport.
Its to do with focus and concentration, and how the individual player prepares him self for the game.
Preparation starts the day before by hydrating and relaxing, and then game day by mental prep. Each player is different I used to vomit before I took the Field, some players were relaxed, some were psyked up. Some sing to help them get gee'd up others cant because of different reasons, it could be distracting or effect their mental state that has taken a few days to condition. I used to find prematch huddle distracting.
And I think the question is a dig at Maoris. Theres only 3 in the team

Answer 6

It is funny that only the All Black players are reflecting inwardly so much that they cannot sing their national anthem with pride, while all other nations do it with gusto, passion and pride. It should have more meaning than the haka. It all just sound like excuses. I have two theories: (a) a number of players are not native New Zealanders and most likely do not have the same passion for their adopted country and (b) the national anthem is a christian prayer - could that be a reason?

Answer 7

(to some idiot answers)The majority of the all blacks are born in new zealand, we are multicultural which is a good thing. NZ people are more reserved than some other countries, definately not cultural protest. Some people like to fart loudly in company, others like to let it out when they have some privacy, people are different. It would be one of the greateset feelings for those guys every time they stand there in front of a crowd and hear the anthem, but the last thing they would be thinking is hitting the notes right, they are pumped up for a game that their country expects them to win, time to focus daniel son

Answer 8

New Zealand Rugby Players tend to psych themselves up to smash the hell out of each other by concerntrating their focus & mind. Singing songs doesn't really contribute to the mental preparation required right before you are about to put your body on the line. Take one massive melting pot and insert Nerves, Anxiety, focus, determination and a heap of aggression. There's no real place in that pot for songs.

Answer 9

Every player uses that time before the kick off in their own way as a psychological preparation for the game. Some prefer to sing the anthem others prefer to stand in silence reflecting inwardly on what they must to do. It is not a cultural protest but a personal choice. Either way the All Black culture is one of pride: in the jersey, the team, the history and in representing the country.

Answer 10

Such a silly question. It's silly to think they refuse to sing the national anthem as some sort of protest. You've obviously never participated in something like a final or played or achieved something at top level - if you did you would know the answer.

I see most the people answered correctly.

Answer 11

Its a N Z man thing. Ever been to church? In my experience men don't sing at church or in any public place unless some alcohol has been imbibed
...But we could be like the Welsh great at singing and struggle to play rugby,

Source(s):

Attendance at baptist ,anglican,catholic and other churches for regular worship ,weddings. funerals.baptisms etc

Answer 12

It's an inferior complex thing with the National Anthem but they don't have a problem poking their tongues out while doping the haka. Unreal attitude and not an example of pride for ones national flag.

Answer 13

The players are just psyching themselves up, preparing for the game. If you have watched other nationalities, not all the team sings their national anthems.

Answer 14

who needs a national anthem if they have the haka

Source(s):

a welsh fan who greatly admires the all blacks, there awesome and always a pleasure to watch

Answer 15

Because they probably dont know the words!! They all do the Haka though and thas all that matters!

Source(s):

Me - 30 years of watching rugby!

Answer 16

Same reason players from other countries don't sing theirs. There's no requirement to, so why should they? You also don't get any bonus points for it!

Answer 17

no its not a cultural protest we are all proud of our new zealand heritage and stuff they don't sing becuase they dont have to

Source(s):

myself and all the rugby im forced to watch

Answer 18

They don't know how to sing the Maori side or they don't know the anthem

Source(s):

own opinion

Answer 19

Because the national anthem is pathetic the words are based on old fashioned religion teachings

Answer 20

Because more than half of them aren't born and bred kiwis and most probably don't know the anthem.

Answer 21

No-one wins an award for singing the anthem. They are just amping for the game.

Answer 22

They don't need to sing. They let their rugby do the talking.

Answer 23

No. Many players prefer to focus on the game ahead.

Answer 24

i couldn't care less if they sing or not as long as they win on the field

Answer 25

None of 'em know the words....

Answer 26

they forgot the words

Answer 27

cos dey cant all speaka da language

Answer 28

Most of them aren't even born here now and they come from the Islands so there motherland isn't New Zealand so would seem weird to sing some other countrys anthem. Some players are more focused on the game ahead rather than singing.

Source(s):

Me

Answer 29

Most of the all blacks don't come from nz so it is unfair to expect them to sing another countries anthem. Its the same reason as they are not called New Zealand when they play.