As a follower and supporter of All Black rugby since 1956 I was appalled at two instances by players, apparently condoned by coaching staff and team Management, at the Italy Match I viewed on Sky TV just after 9am on Sunday 24 November 2024.

Both were insults to all New Zealanders and in particular non Maori and those Maori in the team and population who do not support the activists who politically align themselves with The Maori Political party and specifically their opposition to the Treaty Principals Bill that is passing through Parliament from now until about June 2025.

Let me elaborate by itemising the two evens that not only annoy me but also deeply worry me because in my view there is no room for Political grandstanding by any All Black team or any individual All Black Players selected to play in an International Test or for that matter as part of an All Black Touring team overseas.

  1. TJ Perenara as Haka leader politicised the pre match Haka by making reference to the Treaty Of Waitangi more than once during the Haka. I understand that may have been sanctioned by Team Managers and if so that is an indictment on them and their respect for all New Zealanders. It also reflects very badly on the NZRU Chief Executive and Management if it was referred to them for approval. In fact if that is the case then you have shown contempt to all of the New Zealand public who support New Zealand’s National game and the game will be on a slippery downhill slope from now on.
  2. After the match I have seen a photo of the team celebrating and promoting the Tino Rangitaratanga Flag. That too is an insult to all All Black supporters and New Zealanders in general. All Blacks should be politically neutral when representing their country and Rugby in New Zealand is in a sorry state administratively when such actions are condoned at the highest levels. By the way the New Zealand flag is the approriate one for the All Blacks to support – you know like Olympians do!!!!

I hear of people taking the following actions as part of their dissatisfaction with these two events:
Cancelling SKY Television Subscriptions.
Refusing to support NZ Rugby sponsors products.
Writing direct to sponsors.

They (NZRU) Ask What Outcome I Would Like:

  1. I would like a public denouncement of the Haka and Flag incidents jointly by the NZRU Board Chairman and the CEO as soon as possible.
  2. I would like the Haka leader and any player or member of the touring party involved in the flag incident publicly censured.

Already two days have passed and we have heard nothing from those people who are charged with doing what is best for NZ Rugby. The silence takes me back to the 1950’s and 60’s when Tom Morrison and Jack Sullivan reigned supreme and `No Comment’ was the order of the day.

Those days are well gone and you people need to stand up and face the music.