Home > Rugby > Rugby Union > Why the Springboks have no chance until the SANZAR 'rats' are disposed of
by Greg Smith on 03 September 2008
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Bob Marley originally wailed: ''There's a rat in the kitchen, what am I going to do?'' and Springbok fans are still left pondering this question after their ''scripted'' exit from this year's Tri-Nations.
SANZAR is a Southern Hemisphere rugby union committee hastily put together to handle the billion dollar finacial implications of television's interest in the Tri-Nations. South African rugby fans have nothing but contempt for this corrupt tryst which they believe scripts the tournament for maximum profits rather than to reflect the relative strengths of the teams.
The Springboks have been left on the wrong end of a forex currency converter ''ditch'' as profits in matches between New Zealand and Australia have outstripped matches involving South Africa. In their eyes, this equation has simplified the logistical arrangments of the Tri-Nations and has led to scripting to ensure Bledisloe Cup-type finishes.
Springbok fans left with this ''rat'' in their rugby union kitchen turn to boxing and the greatest boxer in history and his battles for respect within Don King's corrupt world of sport.
Muhammad Ali's battle against the media is similar to the Springboks' challenge at the moment. My own all-time favourite sports book is King of the World, by David Remnick, the Pullitzer Prize-winning editor of the New Yorker magazine, who manages to capture the essence of the Liston-Ali (and my Springbok vs Oz/NZ) challenge.
In Remnick's book, Cassius Clay, as he was then, has just destroyed the Sonny Liston ''greatness'' myth and wants his dues from the reporters who thought Liston would put him in a hospital bed - much like where current reporters put the Springboks. Consider this short passage, for the light it casts on the challenges of Springbok rugby...
"I'm gonna show you how great reporters are," Ali said. "Who's the greatest?"
There was no reply.
"No justice. I don't get no justice. No one's gonna give me justice. I'll give you one more chance. Who's the greatest?"
There was a pause. Then a few reporters muttered: "You are."
If South African rugby can nail down the ''moving goalposts'' manipulated by SANZAR and get the rat trap to swing on these Tri-Nations SANZAR rats (Oz & NZ) then they too, like Ali, will demand respect and a simple answer in their favour to the question: Who's the greatest in rugby union?
But as long as the ''big cheese'' remains in Oceania, the answer is unlikely to be THE SPRINGBOKS and the snap at their backs with metronomical monotony will be the door slamming as they exit the Tri-Nations to join the major MONEY watching All Black and Wallaby finals.
Comments (8)
by Steven Bissett on September 03, 2008
Greg - "You the best", now sit back and watch the tri-nations final. There's your justice.
by Jonah on September 04, 2008
Enjoy the game greg your articles are crap
by Keith Wawn on September 04, 2008
Well-written article, Greg. What you have to understand is that the Australian/New Zealand brotherhood can never agree that the Tri-Nations and the Super 14 are heavily tilted in their favour, and largely scripted, so expect comments like the ones posted prior to this submission. South Africa’s emergence from exile has been uncomfortable for both New Zealand and Australia, as they had become quite accustomed to our absence, having forged a new world order of rugby during our absence. The Wallabies had become something of an entity in our absence and had essentially become the number 2 in the pecking order. So, from the time that Zinzan Brooke was allowed to tap the ball and dive over the try-line for a “try”, while Naas Botha was in conversation with the ref about a baffling decision against the Boks, in our 24-27 defeat to NZ at Ellis Park in 1992, the tone was set! When all of the decisions are going your way, it’s easy to believe that your team is truly the superior one, and that they deserved to win, and to disagree that the decisions that influenced the results were heavily in favour of their team. They will never agree, even though there is too much evidence to suggest anything else. We have kept quiet for too long, as though we somehow had to be eternally grateful for a chance to once again compete on the world stage, and so had to eat all of the crap thrown at us. We are the Springboks, the mighty Springboks, and we do not have to stand back for anyone, or agree with their propaganda.
by Phillip Marchant on September 04, 2008
by Steven Bissett on September 04, 2008
The Mighty All Blacks.
by Brad on September 05, 2008
No im here my simple saffer friend just letting you boys take all the glory from your very meaninful win on saturday well done you played well i can cop it fair and square shame it was bit late though and you finished last but thats ok. http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/think-we-h ave-problems-take-a-look-at-the-boks/2008/09/04/12201 21430671.html Funny but true article similar to the review on the mighty boks tri nations campaign whats that 2 wins 4 losses terrible coach and even though its 08 we are still playing under a quota system and you call yourselves the rainbow nation i reckon it should be changed to the shades of grey nation.
by Keith Wawn on September 05, 2008
Hey Steven, no argument, the All Blacks are mighty and have always been worthy opponents.
by Steve C on September 06, 2008
This is hilarious! You comparing the south african team to Ali...joker! You obviously hugely overrate the boks. South African fans need to lose the chip on the shoulder and the grudge that the world is out to screw them over. Congrats on your cake walk to the world cup by the way.
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