October 30, 2012
All Blacks hypocrisy
Opinion: The nonsense from the All Blacks over the illegal actions of Australian loose forward Scott Higginbotham on their captain Richie McCaw is hypocrisy at its worst.
You would have thought that Higginbotham had murdered McCaw given the outrage that has been expressed.
It's as if Higginbotham deliberately kneed and headbutted McCaw in last weekend's test match but there was barely any force in his actions.
I accept the argument from former All Blacks like Richard Turner that it's not about the force – it's about the intention and Higginbotham has been punished for his actions.
He received a four-week suspension.
Apparently though, that is not enough for the Turners of this world and the All Blacks' sycophantic supporters.
They all think the case should be revisited and new laws brought in.
It almost looks like an excuse for the way the All Blacks played.
They were lucky to get out of the test with a draw and we should give credit to an Australian team who were down to their third XV.
You would think from some of the rhetoric that the All Blacks have never been guilty of foul play.
Of course nothing could be further from the truth.
Part of the All Blacks legacy has been built on brutality and some of our greatest All Blacks are looked up to because of their ability to handle themselves.
Who will ever forget the stories of 1956 when All Blacks prop Kevin Skinner was brought out of retirement, specifically to bash the Springboks.
The former heavyweight boxing champion duly obliged.
Kiwis loved it and Skinner became a legend.
Then there was the great Colin Meads.
There are many stories about his violent actions on the rugby field that we celebrate – but the rest of the world was always looking sideways at us.
One incident when he nearly ripped off the great Australian halfback Ken Catchpole's leg and ended his career made Meads the most hated sportsman ever to visit Australia.
But it seems we have amnesia when it comes to legends like Pinetree Meads.
And who will ever forget the dirty play of former All Blacks prop Richard Loe when he deliberately broke Wallaby Paul Carozza's nose in an unprovoked attack.
Instead of condemnation we had excuses like the Aussies need to harden up!
That was the same attitude shown when Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu spear-tackled Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll and put him out of the 2005 Lions tour.
No real apology, just excuses. We should remember those times when we waffle on about McCaw who barely blinked after Higginbotham's supposed assault!
So get a life All Blacks fans and cut the hypocrisy.