One of the all white All Whites
Picking up on the tour of possible countries to join us in South Africa, I read an article today about the chances of New Zealand making it to The Show.
New Zealand.
Four million rugby loving people on the most remote country on Earth. More sheep than people. The greatness of "Flight of the Conchords." Kiwis.
For some bizarre reason, the sports team in the antipodes like to give stupid nicknames to all their national teams. The Wallabies. The Socceroos. The All Blacks. The Silver Ferns. Matildas. Boomers. On and on.
THE ALL WHITES????
Yes, apparently, the New Zealand soccer/football team is called the "All Whites."
And, they have a real shot at getting to South Africa. They have already pretty much sewn up the Oceania section and just have to win a home-and-home series against the fifth place Asian team to make it.
To South Africa. The "All Whites" in South Africa.
This is very, very uncomfortable.
Now, supposedly they have that name as a response to the "All Blacks" of rugby union fame, named for their all black unies. Plus, the All Black team, while not all black, do have a very strong Maori representation.
And, yes, New Zealand's unies are all white. But still.
Let's just hope that the Kiwis...um, All Whites make sure that their (possible) South African hosts realize this.
5 comments:
Now that is the pot calling the kettle black. "antipodes like to give stupid nicknames all their national teams."
You Yanks invented stupid names for sporting teams. The "Galaxy" FFS.
I for one would love to see the "All Whites" in South Africa. Add them to the list that the "Socceroos" could play in a group match.
Imagine a Group where us Aussie will beat Yanks, Poms and Kiwis.
Imagining a group where Australia beats the USA, the UK and New Zealand ...
...
...
... still trying to imagine that.
...
Nope, nothing coming.
Tezza-
Thanks for the post, but last time I checked, the "Yanks" don't name our national teams.
And, yes, Major League Soccer is full of stupid names - the LA Galaxy, Real St.Lake (when I think of Latinos - I think of Utah), and my old MLS favs, the Kansas City Wiz and the Dallas Burn (don't want the Burn to follow the Wiz). Thank you f'in Nike.
As national teams go, we are not alone.
Les Blues, Azzure, Lions, Bafana bafana, the list can go on.
As an Aussie I am very proud of the "Socceroos" and really don't give a shit if no one else agrees.
Keep blogging guys, it is a good read.
Kia Ora!
Hey the All Blacks are called that not because of the uniform or color of skin! It's was originally because a reporter once said that the NZ team was like a team of "all backs" (a position in rugby) but because of a typo came out "all blacks". The name stuck and has become a huge brand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Original_All_Blacks#Name
Other sports in NZ have leveraged the All Blacks brand - Tall Blacks, Black Caps, Black Magic etc. Btw the All Whites don't have only white people (pakeha) on the team. But they do wear all white :)
Post a Comment