As we ramp up for the Rugby World Cup here in Paris, my first observation is that, perhaps because France will basically be on break during July and August, there does not seem to be much warm-up 'buzz' in the capital.

Cafe banter -- French equivalent of water-cooler discussions -- is not streaming with debate about who will win the 2007 RWC and/or how les Bleus will fare. Possibly the two walkovers in June by the All Blacks (combined score of 103-21 to New Zealand) put a kibosh on French spirit -- regardless that the French team was essentially a load of second-string players. (As an aside, I laughed when the French coach unloaded on an Australian referee, then wrote an apology letter in French.)

Meanwhile, South Africa's coach has asked for permission to introduce officially a Zulu-inspired pre-game tribal war dance. Apparently, this Springbok haka has been in the pipeline for several years -- although you wouldn't know it (or believe that it has made a difference), given the Boks' dismal recent results against their traditional foe. If you have ever been in the presence of an All Black (all you need is one man) who performs a Maori haka, you can only be left impressed. A swathe of 15 fired-up Kiwis on a pitch is another sight altogether. The people I have met who have personally faced that sight on the pitch have, to a man, all professed intimidation.

'If you have ever been in the presence of an All Black (all you need is one man) who performs a Maori haka, you can only be left impressed'


Between these various hakas, you definitely get a whiff of the warlike overtone of a Rugby Union match. Much has been said about sports providing a surrogate for man's innate warrior instinct. What sparked this article was the desire to make a comparison between Rugby Football and American Football. Aside from the bravado about 'no pads' in rugby, I was considering the different attitudes to pre-game warm-ups.

Like all national sports, the national anthem would be a feature -- except there is little occasion for the US to field a national American Football team. That said, at the 2007 American Football World Cup, at which the US, for the first time since its inception in 1999, fielded a team (and yes they won, but only 23-20 in the final against Japan), there was a US team. Anyway, after the national anthem, things diverge in Rugby and American Football (aka Gridiron Football in parts of the world).

In Rugby, when you play the All Blacks, the haka is a must see. It is legendary. Of course, aside from RSA, Tonga and Samoa, I don't believe any other national team has such a ritual. But the fact that these four teams have a haka is enough for me. The haka truly sets the tone. In American Football, on the other hand, we have marching bands AND cheerleaders. The marching bands are the closest we will get to 'warlike'. And the cheerleaders? They are the equivalent of the women at home, keeping the home fires burning and wishing on their men at war.

In the final analysis, sport as a dislocated field of war suits me fine as long as it reduces war (there have been many articles--I site one--written on how cricket has been a great antidote to war). However, that doesn't exactly seem to be the case these days. At times, sport itself instils warlike behaviour (for example, the rivalry between Turkey's Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.  And although we have had a long stretch without a traditional world war, war is on the lips all the time (and more war seems more likely than less war; for example, Turkey and the Kurds).

It might be a little trite, but in the Islam v Western World (including of course Australia, NZ, etc.) conflict, maybe a little sports interest would be valuable. The Iraqi national football (soccer) team makes valiant strides in difficult times. However, I don't imagine that sports banter is a common feature in Al-Qaeda huddles. Maybe they need some athletic recruits more than MDs for that to happen? 

In the Western world, on the other hand, it would be highly appropriate that sport managed to recruit more interest from women.  Their exclusion from the 'boys outing' is not necessary and their pacifying effect on crowds would be most welcome.

One thing is for sure, as in war, when you like sport, you must announce your colours. Otherwise, you get the less-than-courageous moniker of "neutral." BTW, I am a Galatasaray fan.