Which is the biggest rivalry of each national team?

[BRSTLDRGN]

For me, the game I get so nervous, excited and feisty about is the England game. Maybe it stems that I've grown up in rugby in England and was always keen to make my Welsh voice heard. After that is the Irish game.

 

[rusty_lock]

Canada vs USA. In anything. If we're better at a sport USA always plays up to us. If USA is better we play up to them.

Maybe games have simply devolved into a brawl at the breakdown to loosely resembles a ruck.

The hatred these teams have for each other. And I mean hatred.

I wish they played in the rwc just once so people could see the war.

Canada is also developing healthy rivalries with Tonga and Japan. I say healthy because there is no hate just a mutual drive beat each other.

Unquestionably, it doesn't make any difference what the sport is. Rugby, Hockey, chess, synchronized swimming, womens soccer, freestyle skiing or whatever put a Maple leaf on one and star and stripes on the other and get ready to ruble. There is something inbred into the Canadian psyche that elevates any athlete, who defeats an american, into a national hero. They are closest neighbor, our best friend and most loyal ally but also our bitterest enemy in any sporting event.

 

[LittleGuy]

Unquestionably, it doesn't make any difference what the sport is. Rugby, Hockey, chess, synchronized swimming, womens soccer, freestyle skiing or whatever put a Maple leaf on one and star and stripes on the other and get ready to ruble. There is something inbred into the Canadian psyche that elevates any athlete, who defeats an american, into a national hero. They are closest neighbor, our best friend and most loyal ally but also our bitterest enemy in any sporting event.

The great thing is in almost every team sport except Basketball(and Cricket which has a niche market in Canada but virtually no presence in USA) either team can win in any given event even if they are the underdog. There are still a few older Ice Hockey fans who would view Russia as the greatest rival but I think this has really decreased in the last 20 years. The improvement of the US team, the collapse of the Soviet Union which took some cache out of the old geopolitical components of the West vs. the Eastern Bloc are factors in this, I would still say Russia are a reasonably close 2nd in intensity in Ice Hockey,( the last couple of World Junior finals have been epic despite our losing the games)

I would love to get a take from an American sporting fan on the Canada-U.S.A. rivalry. I'm sure in Hockey and Rugby most would go with Canada as biggest rival, but I'm intrigued about a couple other sports, would it still be the same in Soccer(or is it Mexico?) and Baseball(the WBC games have been awesome but is Japan a more intense rivalry?)?

 

[dullonien]

Going out on a limb, I'd say England.

Bloody hell, pull yer neck back in before it get's chopped off!

 

[RWC2011Fan]

In recent years it has created a great rivalry between the Pumas and Ireland, especially after the RWC of 1999(Argentine victory) 2003( Irish victory) and 2007(Argentine win again).
Besides that the players of both team have no simpathy at all, and even Felipe Contepomi said that O'gara was a disgusting person.

 

[lucky number 7]

O'Gara being put on his bottom is a daily part of his life...He has to stay inside on windy days would you believe.

 

[Feicarsinn]

He didn't get the nickname O'Doormat for nothing.

 

[lucky number 7]

Ronan O'softboy

 

[Canucks]

The great thing is in almost every team sport except Basketball(and Cricket which has a niche market in Canada but virtually no presence in USA) either team can win in any given event even if they are the underdog. There are still a few older Ice Hockey fans who would view Russia as the greatest rival but I think this has really decreased in the last 20 years. The improvement of the US team, the collapse of the Soviet Union which took some cache out of the old geopolitical components of the West vs. the Eastern Bloc are factors in this, I would still say Russia are a reasonably close 2nd in intensity in Ice Hockey,( the last couple of World Junior finals have been epic despite our losing the games)

I would love to get a take from an American sporting fan on the Canada-U.S.A. rivalry. I'm sure in Hockey and Rugby most would go with Canada as biggest rival, but I'm intrigued about a couple other sports, would it still be the same in Soccer(or is it Mexico?) and Baseball(the WBC games have been awesome but is Japan a more intense rivalry?)?

it really is a strange relationship between canada and states. I mean I cheer for them in soccer because everyone hates them (for some reason.) But wish them to lose in anything else.

Think of the recent wars:
Hockey - gold medal finals in both 2002 and 2010 (greatest hockey game ever.)
Baseball - all time best on best record is 1-1.
Rugby - Canada typically ruins USA (although they get their wins.)

Aside from basketball,, which Canada can be **** poor at developing, and soccer (which Canada can't even get Canadians to play for them like Owen hargreaves, asmir bergovic, Jonathan de Guzman, junior hoilett) we''re right on them in a few sports. Even if American football became an international sport I reckon a group a well coached and motivated cflers could have the closest scoreline.

I think the best example of the hatred is the Olympic women's soccer semi final between Canada and USA. Those women turned soccer in a violent sport that night. Also funny because Canada now worships Christine Sinclair for her heroics that night.

I agree about the Russia rivalry only pertaining to hockey. There's nothing in hockey like a best on best Canada v Russia, the fundamentals vs the flash. Kuznetsov has really made it interesting the past few years at the juniors. What about 2010 Olympics with 19000 Canadians chanting we want Russia during thw Germany game. I mean the opening sequence for that game with both teams on the blueljnes saluting each. Immediately followed by afinogenov trying to elbow niedermayer only the get slammed into the boards by weber. Sorry got carried away hockey withdrawal.

Its funny how in sports like soccer I cheer for Russia and USA because of the familiarity. They are Canada's biggest rivals yet I have a respect for them when we aren't player them.

 

[LittleGuy]

it really is a strange relationship between canada and states. I mean I cheer for them in soccer because everyone hates them (for some reason.) But wish them to lose in anything else.

Think of the recent wars:
Hockey - gold medal finals in both 2002 and 2010 (greatest hockey game ever.)
Baseball - all time best on best record is 1-1.
Rugby - Canada typically ruins USA (although they get their wins.)

Aside from basketball,, which Canada can be **** poor at developing, and soccer (which Canada can't even get Canadians to play for them like Owen hargreaves, asmir bergovic, Jonathan de Guzman, junior hoilett) we''re right on them in a few sports. Even if American football became an international sport I reckon a group a well coached and motivated cflers could have the closest scoreline.

I think the best example of the hatred is the Olympic women's soccer semi final between Canada and USA. Those women turned soccer in a violent sport that night. Also funny because Canada now worships Christine Sinclair for her heroics that night.

I agree about the Russia rivalry only pertaining to hockey. There's nothing in hockey like a best on best Canada v Russia, the fundamentals vs the flash. Kuznetsov has really made it interesting the past few years at the juniors. What about 2010 Olympics with 19000 Canadians chanting we want Russia during thw Germany game. I mean the opening sequence for that game with both teams on the blueljnes saluting each. Immediately followed by afinogenov trying to elbow niedermayer only the get slammed into the boards by weber. Sorry got carried away hockey withdrawal.

Its funny how in sports like soccer I cheer for Russia and USA because of the familiarity. They are Canada's biggest rivals yet I have a respect for them when we aren't player them.

Strangely I also cheer for the USA in soccer sometimes as well, they are often subjected to absolutley biased officiating against them, and I think it does well for the growth of the game in North America. We used to be the superior soccer country here for years and than things changed 25-30 years ago. Now we are the underdog(though upsets aren't impossibly I believe the last game was a 0-0 draw).

I also think the US plays an honourable style unlike many of the CONCACAF countries who are masters of dirty tactics, I also cheer against some of the Euro powers because of the big deal Italo-Canadians, Portuguese Canadians etc. make of their former countries doing well. Watching the depression on the big gathering of Italian Canadians at the Euro final this year had me laughing my ass off as Spain kicked the snot out of them.

 

[Superalexmarket]

Strangely I also cheer for the USA in soccer sometimes /QUOTE]

I don´t cheer for England or Brazil even when they're playing marbles.

 

[Superalexmarket]

It seems to me or England is the most hated rival by all in common?

 

[lucky number 7]

Colonial power , they kicked the **** out of the world for hundreds of years and made most their *****es of course people might hold a wee grudge...The power to them though.

 

[BZHopenside]

I would love to get a take from an American sporting fan on the Canada-U.S.A. rivalry. I'm sure in Hockey and Rugby most would go with Canada as biggest rival, but I'm intrigued about a couple other sports, would it still be the same in Soccer(or is it Mexico?) and Baseball(the WBC games have been awesome but is Japan a more intense rivalry?)?

In soccer, Mexico is still far and away our number one rival. The Canada/USA lacrosse rivalry is pretty intense from what I understand. No one cares about international baseball or basketball.


As for other international rugby rivalries, I'd think Chile/Uruguay and Spain/Portugal would be pretty big. Haven't heard much from the islanders. Is Samoa/Tonga bigger or Samoa/Fiji?

 

[Saintjay]

It makes me sad that the english get hated for this world domination thing. I am sure in time people will get over it. Plus it was more of a British thing with the Scots and Welsh playing a part.

I am sure in time people will get over it nobody hates Italy because of the romans now do they. Time is a healer or so they say.

 

[LittleGuy]

In soccer, Mexico is still far and away our number one rival. The Canada/USA lacrosse rivalry is pretty intense from what I understand. No one cares about international baseball or basketball.


As for other international rugby rivalries, I'd think Chile/Uruguay and Spain/Portugal would be pretty big. Haven't heard much from the islanders. Is Samoa/Tonga bigger or Samoa/Fiji?

The Canada vs. USA lacrosse rivalry is epic. I'm surprised the American public hasn't gotten behind the World Baseball Classic more, the games here in 2009 were well attended. Basketball there are so few teams that can beat you it's mostly a cake walk to the final, only one or two teams can even hope of beating the States on their best day and your countries worst.

 

[lucky number 7]

It makes me sad that the english get hated for this world domination thing. I am sure in time people will get over it. Plus it was more of a British thing with the Scots and Welsh playing a part.

I am sure in time people will get over it nobody hates Italy because of the romans now do they. Time is a healer or so they say.

Certainly is a good healer. But so long as the North is held as a part of Great Britain there will be some sections of society that will always hold that grudge.

I personally couldn't give a **** about it but I still like giving the Sassanach a good hiding.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It makes me sad that the english get hated for this world domination thing.

Jealousy is a horrible thing.

 

[Superalexmarket]

Jealousy is a horrible thing.

Not jealousy... just a pay back by the hand of God...

 

[nickdnz]

On the basis that any team's biggest rival has to be the team against which they have the most even win loss record, I would say that, prior to isolation, South Africa were our biggest rivals. We only had a 40% winning record against them (W15 L20 D2). In the post isolation period that picture has changed to nearly 70% wins (W33 L14 D1).

During the isolation years (1982 to 1996) a new generation of Kiwi schoolboy players grew up never having experienced an All Blacks test or series against South Africa, while we played 29 tests against Australia for a W18 L10 D1 record.

During the first few years of the professional era (starting in 1996) Australia slowly became the big rivalry as we struggled to beat them regularly. In the first six years of that era, we only managed a 50% record, until we won back the Bledisloe Cup in 2003. Since then (apart from the wee aberration in Sydney in November 2003) we haven't looked back..a 77% win record.

Special mention must go to the All Black rivalry with Wales. It began with the Bob Deans 'non try' in 1905, probably the most controversial incident in international rugby. The All Blacks lost three of their first four matches against Wales, not getting the record to 50% until 1967. Since then, however, it has been all one way traffic.

Looking at things now, I would say that the All Blacks v Springboks v Wallabies is the greatest three-way rivalry in world rugby. They are consistently the top three ranked teams in the world, and have won six out of the seven World Cups to be held.

Agree. I think most people in New Zealand regard South Afirca as our biggest rivals - based purely on this history of the game. The 1981 Springbok Tour was probably the most divisive issue in New Zealand's history! For me though - it wasn't until 2009 when South Africa white washed us that I really started to consider them our biggest rivals. Being born in 1992 - I saw Australia as our biggest rivals because of their continued success against the All Blacks and I think many young rugby fan saw it the same.