The Most Popular Sport in New Zealand - Rugby Union
Rugby Union the most popular sport in New Zealand
What makes it so integral to the local culture? We look into why Rugby Union is the most popular sport in New Zealand.
Sport in New Zealand showcases the rich history, traditions and culture of the nation’s colonial legacy.
New Zealand has numerous popular sports, including cricket, basketball, netball and association football.
However, nothing matches the spirit of New Zealanders towards Rugby Union. It is New Zealand’s national sport, deeply rooted in the local culture- and Rugby Union has millions of passionate and enthusiastic fans.
In this article, find out why rugby is so popular in New Zealand, including the fascinating history of this famous sport.
Why is Rugby Union Popular in New Zealand?
At the heart of rugby lies a cultural ethos with a spirited set of rules, allowing players to maintain discipline, control and mutual respect.
While fans and spectators may view rugby as ruthless, New Zealanders call it a “gentleman’s sport,” thanks to its high-impact nature, aggression and vibrancy.
Research shows that Rugby Union is integral to New Zealand’s history and culture.
From street-level or school-level teams to globally recognised teams like the All Blacks, New Zealand has a tremendous passion for Rugby Union.
In fact, rugby influences the day-to-day life of many Kiwis. According to Rugby Heart Land, New Zealand is a small country with a population of 4.5 million, but it has the world’s best male and female rugby teams.
Below, find a few reasons that rugby has become the nation’s lifeblood.
Rugby has a long and interesting history in New Zealand
Britain colonised New Zealand in 1840, and early settlers from England first brought rugby to the country.
However, the indigenous people, “Maori,” invented a similar game before British or European settlement.
Maori people called the game “Ki o Rahi” and played it with a woven flax ball, creating an affiliation with rugby due to its similarity to Ki o Rahi.
According to Free Jack, the first official rugby game in New Zealand took place in Nelson, South Island, in May 1870.
Players would use inflated pig bladders to make rugby balls, which is why a rugby ball has such a distinctive oval shape.
New Zealand’s first rugby team toured New South Wales, Australia, in 1884.
The team made significant efforts to showcase their talent, beating Australia in eight matches.
Most rugby players in the team belonged to the Maori community.
Likewise, the team visited Britain and Australia in 1888 and 1889 and dominated the game, winning 78 of 107 matches within fourteen months.
As the team had Maori players, they performed a haka, a ceremonial dance or challenge, showing their strength, unity and passion.
Cultural Affiliation
New Zealand is a rugby-mad nation because this sport has been part of the local culture for more than 150 years.
The nation’s love affair with rugby starts at the grassroots level, including school and community teams that play matches across the country.
This sport is integral to Kiwi identity due to its strong cultural affiliation.
In addition, the Rugby Union is a symbol of New Zealand’s hospitality, society and sportsmanship.
Most children learn rugby at school, and you will see kids going to school and coming back home tossing a rugby ball.
Rugby is lots of fun, and it also improves children’s physical, mental and social wellbeing!
Almost all schools in New Zealand have big green fields for kids to run free and play rugby during their breaks.
School administration makes substantial efforts to provide rugby-hungry students with essential resources across New Zealand, making this a core sport for people of all ages.
Incredible TV Viewership
According to Roy Morgan’s survey, around 1.7 million people (43.6%) watch rugby on television and enjoy the Rugby Union community and international matches, such as Super Rugby, the Rugby World Cup and the Miter 10 Cup.
However, Rugby Union has the most viewership compared to other leagues.
Around 1.34 million people (34.3%) in New Zealand watch Rugby Union Internationals, featruing New Zealand’s all-time favourite team, the All Blacks.
This team also practices the haka during matches.
On the other hand, 1.26 million Kiwis (32.4%) watch the Rugby World Cup on TV.
Although the Rugby Union Internationals and the Rugby World Cup have a substantial fan following, the former dominates the ecosystem.
Rugby Union has a viewership of 43.6%, followed by Rugby League at 21.5% and soccer at 15.1% viewership.
World-Class Rugby Talent
Locals and tourists will come across a game of rugby every day in New Zealand, as it is the country’s national sport.
There is a strong cultural and traditional connection between Kiwis and rugby, leading to the development of talented, skilled players and teams.
For instance, the All Blacks are a world-famous rugby team with professional, experienced and skilled players.
Rugby’s influence on Kiwi culture plays a crucial role in producing talented players.
Likewise, rugby enjoys the priority of broadcast and coverage on sports channels and news bulletins, influencing the overall culture of the country.
Moreover, schools try to cover everything students need to flourish their skills and become world-class players.
This includes equipment, coaching, nutritional plans and programmes for improving players’ physical strength and mental abilities to make the most of their skills.
All of this aims to further the rugby ethos in New Zealand, contributing to the success of local and international level teams.
Research shows that multicultural New Zealand has combined enthusiasm, spirit and skill to create the most talented rugby teams, including the All Blacks.
The All Blacks are New Zealand’s most iconic export.
They have won 76% of their matches since 1903, making the All Blacks a source of creativity, inspiration and pride for 4.5 million New Zealanders.
Fan spirit and the creative skills of the players create a successful atmosphere for New Zealand rugby games.
So, why is Rugby Union the most popular sport in New Zealand?
Rugby Union is more than a sport for New Zealanders. It is an integral component of colonial history, culture and tradition.
For many Kiwis, including players and fans, Rugby Union is the best sport.
This is due to its aggressive physicality, fast pace, strategic nature, haka, enthusiasm and team play.
New Zealand’s Rugby Union is open, welcoming and supportive of everyone, aiming to produce the world’s best teams and encourage spectators to create fun-to-watch and memorable experiences.
