Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

All Blacks and Tall Blacks? Man, those names would not fly here. If it is televised, I will tune in. It has to be much more entertaining than the Chicago Bears. Do they do the Maori dance complete with the tongue display?

 Comment Written 31-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2014

Thank you! Funny thing about names! I believe it derives purely from the original uniform and has absolutely nothing to do with race. Hope you caught it (especially the fierce tongue-poking!)

The All Blacks duly handed out the expected drubbing 74 - 6 I imagine the coach gave them a roasting for letting the Eagles score those 6 points.

Despite the one-sided score line, it was an entertaining game to a sell-out crowd and I hope introduced the game to a wider American audience.

Steve

Comment from Mark Valentine

Excellent

Thanks for this well-written introduction to New Zealand sports. I'm a Chicagoan and a Bear fan (our football team). The way the Bears have been playing of late, it's likely that the upcoming rugby match will be the most entertaining thing to happen at Soldier Field this year. We Americans tend to take a solipsistic view of sports (the "World Series", featuring only North American teams just ended) so it's nice to be exposed to the rest of the sporting world.

 Comment Written 31-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2014

Thanks, Mark. NZ is too small for us to be solipsistic! Our soccer and basketball teams compete in the Australian competitions and most of our other sports make frequent overseas trips.

The All Blacks duly handed out the expected drubbing 74 - 6 I imagine the coach gave them a roasting for letting the Eagles score those 6 points.

Despite the one-sided score line, it was an entertaining game to a sell-out crowd and I hope introduced the game to a wider American audience.

Steve

Comment from humpwhistle

Excellent

I love the line about boxing above your weight class on the world stage. Sports pride and loyalty is an interesting phenomenon. I've always felt that inherited the Boston Red Sox as surely as I inherited Congregationalism. I'm more loyal to the Red Sox.
Rugby is a great game. Oddly enough, the best players in this country come from the privileged class. Rugby is a big prep school game here.

I'll be tuning in Saturday night.

All Blacks and Tall Blacks--you Kiwis are so darn cute!

Peace, Lee

 Comment Written 31-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2014

Believe it or not our national badminton team is called the Black Cocks! Hockey goes by Black Sticks and Soccer defies the trend to be All Whites...

The All Blacks duly handed out the expected drubbing 74 - 6 I imagine the coach gave them a roasting for letting the Eagles score those 6 points.

Despite the one-sided score line, it was an entertaining game to a sell-out crowd and I hope introduced the game to a wider American audience.

Steve

Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

I like the eclectic list of your country's sports heroes.
Americans tend to neglect shotputters and kayakers while paying our basketball, football and baseball stars astronomical amounts of money.
I've never seen a rugby match but have heard how rough and tumble they can be :-)
a well-written, informative essay that conveys well your country's sense of pride Brooke

 Comment Written 31-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2014

Thanks, Brooke!

The All Blacks duly handed out the expected drubbing 74 - 6 I imagine the coach gave them a roasting for letting the Eagles score those 6 points.

Despite the one-sided score line, it was an entertaining game to a sell-out crowd and I hope introduced the game to a wider American audience.

Steve

Comment from Lovinia

Excellent

Hi Steve

WOW ... is there anything a Kiwi can't do well? lol Of course that haka would scare the living daylights out of me. I always get a thrill out of it, especially as I had the opportunity to perform with some fabulous Kiwis on stage on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was so powerful .... I can still feel my hairs raise as I remember back all those years ago ... about twenty one years. Almost a performance in antiquity. This is beautifully written, well informed .... oh YEAH ... and totally 'boastful'. Tickets on it buddy. lol

I think you have the US and the UK quivering. All the best and every success to your sporting teams and individuals. I enjoyed your entertaining and informative read. Hugs - Lovi xoxo

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 Comment Written 31-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2014

Thanks, Lovi

The All Blacks duly handed out the expected drubbing 74 - 6 I imagine the coach gave them a roasting for letting the Eagles score those 6 points.

Despite the one-sided score line, it was an entertaining game to a sell-out crowd and I hope introduced the game to a wider American audience.

Steve

Comment from Sasha

Excellent

I was most definitely impressed. I went to YouTube and watched several Hakas. I agree, it is well worth the admission. Great essay and brilliantly written. I enjoyed this very much and love your enthusiasm.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 31-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2014

Thanks, Sasha

The All Blacks duly handed out the expected drubbing 74 - 6 I imagine the coach gave them a roasting for letting the Eagles score those 6 points.

Despite the one-sided score line, it was an entertaining game to a sell-out crowd and I hope introduced the game to a wider American audience.

Steve