LittleGuy
First XV
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2010
- Messages
- 4,911
- Country Flag
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.
I know the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal were boycotted by a pile of African countries when the Canadian organizers and the IOC refused to ban New Zealand in retaliation for touring South Africa.
Than there was that renegade tour several players made "the Cavaliers" I think?, though I think the NZRU was a little out of line for banning players who went on that renegade tour when they got back without threatening to do that before they left.