Why tiny New Zealand dominates rugby

New Zealand has dominated rugby for a century... is that about to change?
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In September 2023, 20 countries will convene to play the Rugby World Cup. There are lots of great teams, but one has historically stood above the rest; the New Zealand All-Blacks. Over the more than a century of international rugby, New Zealand has dominated the sport; winning around 70% of their matches, including three World Cup Championships. It’s all the more remarkable because New Zealand is a tiny country of just 5 million people. This is the story of how one country fused its identity with a sport and created one of the best sports teams of all time.
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Search Party is a new, independent, video news show that combines experienced journalism and visual design to decode the most complex stories in international sports and geopolitics.
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About:
Search Party is led and produced by Sam Ellis, a journalist, director, editor, and animator based in New York City. For more than 6 years, Ellis produced the hugely popular video series, Vox Atlas, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. He specializes in breaking down the most complex new stories and presenting them with a refreshing, accessible, and engaging visual style.
He’s produced explainers on some of the world’s thorniest geopolitical stories; from corruption scandals in Latin America, conflict in the Middle East, and the rise of China, to the world of sports; the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIFA corruption scandal, and the 100-foot waves of Nazaré, Portugal. Ellis has also directed multiple episodes of TV; notably on Netflix’s ‘Explained’ and HBO Sport’s ‘Level Playing Field’.
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[@Search-Party]

Thanks for watching everyone! I wanted to mention a small mistake I made: Ireland's rugby team represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (which is part of the U.K.). In other words, the whole island. I mistakenly excluded Northern Ireland on the maps. Thanks again to everyone that caught that! - Sam

[@andrewlawson573]

So how does that work? How can an international team represent two different countries and still be legitament?

[@andrewm8703]

In the world cup of soccer you often have teams like Scotland, Wales and England. Those are technically all one country, yet they compete independently of each other. Let's just say the British isles have a complicated history. @@andrewlawson573

[@Laurentus]

@@andrewlawson573 Because the rugby world isn't petty

[@Laurentus]

It would be great if you could acknowledge the sheer disrespect you've shown to New Zealand's oldest and most successful rival, and the current world champions to boot, by not even calling us a rival to New Zealand for the current world cup, but only France and Ireland. We also gave New Zealand their biggest ever loss recently.

[@chesnickgercken1831]

The Irish team does include the northern province! It’s also good to mention our population is around the same size as New Zealand’s

[@thatomogale9803]

As a South African, the All Blacks' dominance in rugby is always a conversation starter with New Zealanders.

[@JaemanEdwards]

And vice versa

[@ashtonoliver5966]

Rightfully so

[@JaemanEdwards]

I live in a small Auckland beach suburb called Maraetai. There are heaps of Afrikaans speaking Saffas living here. When I talk to them at kids rugby or school gatherings, or even just down at the beach, rugby is always the topic. And fishing and barbecues.

[@fu8713]

Not bad for small pacific island of 4 million people way out in the middle of nowhere huh!?? 😳😳😂😂 not bad at rugby league either top 1, 2, 3 in the world But Australia pretty much controls that game and the Rugby league World Cups using all Aussie referees Ashley Klein lol the dodgiest monkey in the game our woman’s rugby not bad either at our Sevens teams both men and woman’s world champions Olympic champions lol So fk all the haters we don’t give a shiit 😂😂

[@damaori]

I'd rather talk about biltong lol SA meats yum I'm a kiwi too

[@andrew9206]

Small note - Ireland's rugby team is all-island, i.e. there is no seperate team for Northern Ireland and the Republic! Given the success of the team over the last few years, its probably a policy we should be pushing in other sports!

[@liamwilliams6651]

The only sport it isn't an all island team is football as far as I remember.

[@randyschwaggins]

​@@liamwilliams6651NI are part of the GB Olympic team, not Ireland's...and NI compete in the Commonwealth Games. Ireland don't. It truly makes no sense that NI and Ireland are separate imo.

[@tourist1665]

Lord knows we need it for the soccer

[@tiarnola]

@@randyschwaggins no, people in the North can choose to represent Ireland or GB

[@groMMit1981]

Hiring in players and coaches from other countries? Ok, if that works for you carry on but for me feels like we're buying success from poorer and or smaller nations.

[@dr94279]

Another thing to keep in mind is the code splitting between rugby union and rugby league. NZ has a much stronger preference for union while other countries, notably Australia, have a preference for league

[@guswilliams9603]

Only Australia*

[@heady9839]

@@guswilliams9603 and assorted northern english cities

[@garretthohepa9939]

you could argue league is more popular or close to as popular in the north island of NZ to rugby union

[@dash4177]

Yes no one in Australia really gives a damn about union. .....its a minor sport here australain rules would be number 1 followed by rugby league. Union is seen in Australiaas a sport played by toffs in expensive schools. Soccer is more popular in Australia than union @@guswilliams9603

[@Eldinarcus]

The entire world prefers rugby union except for Australia, and that's why they're garbage.

[@basjo908]

Massive kudos for including the Chatam Islands in the map of New Zealand. I don't think I've ever seen media made outside New Zealand recognise that they are part of New Zealand!

[@andrewtreacher]

You did miss the Pacific island factor. The natural talent of Samoans, Tongan and Fijians and their availability for All Black teams.

[@nzfreeski]

To be fair the overwhelming pacific island talent is born and bred in NZ - it’s our largest immigrant population since the 60s.

[@Trajan2401]

In the last test there was only 1 Island born player in the AB 23 and he was on the bench

[@lukawilliams4822]

It’s the perfect mix of multicultural players with their own strong attributes,but what they all have in common is they learnt to play the kiwi way. That’s why Fiji Samoa Tonga don’t do well !!! You turn 5 and mum and dad drop you at the field for training. they head off to the clubrooms to get pissed. Hour goes by still no mum and dad flood lights turn off,so we play rugby in the dark! Come game day. Saturday morning freezing foggy morning the smell of deepheat in the air,purple feet from the frozen blades of grass…come Monday morning you and ya mates are passing the football to school during school makes for the best pillow when tired. Home time street comes together to play touch on the concrete coltasack till street lights came on,spose to go home,but noooo rugby is life !!!!

[@cs0654]

@lukawilliams4822, you Sir put me right back into my childhood - Saffer born, but shared experience - "smell of Deep Heat", man, that got me right in the gut!

[@wellingtonian2009]

Auckland (NZ's largest city) has the largest Pacific island population in the world and they've been in NZ for generations. NZ doesn't need to import Pacifica players because all of them are either born and raised or immigrated to NZ with their families at a young age long before they played any professional rugby or any rugby at all. NZ poaching Pacific island talent is the most overused myth mentioned by people who've probably never been to NZ. The All Blacks team reflects NZ's ethnic diversity.

[@emperoraurelian9922]

I used to live in New Zealand and seeing the investment and level of care they put into their rugby programmes shows why they are so dominant. Truly performed at the highest level and world class.

[@Weavileiscool]

Yes and I saw merch for the all blacks everywhere

[@tommcg7564]

Yes but nz only turned professional in the 90s. Before then players would get a couple of hundreds bucks. For instance the day after they won the 87 World Cup, a lot of them went back to their jobs in factories, farms and meat plants mainly. Even today, players get paid more in England, Europe, Japan etc. 140 years of dominance is a long time. Your argument is questionable

[@emperoraurelian9922]

I mentioned nothing about contracts and payments, I said the way they invest into their programs for player development as in invested time and care to ensure players of all ages and levels get the best training available to them. The type of rugby and way they play is what has afforded them their well earned international dominance.

[@tommcg7564]

@@emperoraurelian9922 you spoke about investment and their dominance. My comment refers to the lack of investment pre mid 90s.

[@emperoraurelian9922]

In the nicest way possible, I chose to leave a positive comment about my experience with rugby and New Zealand. You mentioned money and called my statement an argument. I 100% still don't believe rugby players are compensated the way they should be for playing such a potentially brutal game but there are always factors involved in that side of things beyond my understanding and grass roots rugby is still a passion for me as I've gotten older. I haven't come here to have an argument. I just wanted to say I love the New Zealand handles rugby, and their dominance has been well deserved for the style of rugby they play. I'm Scottish, my national team has been all over the world rankings and I can appreciate how such a small country has done so well at harbouring their natural talent and developing its youth to stay in the position they have.

[@mirandahotspring4019]

I was teaching Phys Ed at a high school in Auckland when we had a visit by a group of teachers from the USA. Their "Coach" as they call their Phys Ed teacher, was amazed we had six rugby teams, from the elite 1st XV down to the lowly 6th fifteen. When he asked me why we had six teams I said because we don't have enough kids who want to play to have a seventh team. He was taken aback by this and said in the USA there is only one school team for any sport, if you don't make the team you're a spectator. In New Zealand any kid who wants to play a sport will find a place in a team regardless of their ability. It's a good system, there have been a few people who stated in a second or third tier team who went on to club sport after leaving school and ended up at the top of their game. Its not unusual in New Zealand to see several hundred kids playing in organised competition or attending practice on drizzly evenings after school.

[@lasagna6738]

As a New Zealander it shocks people when I tell them that basically any Pakeha (New Zealand-European) or Māori person in New Zealand almost always has had some close relative who played for the All Blacks. Even while living in a small town of people, I have still had friends who’s parents or grandparents were captains of the All Blacks and personally I had a great uncle who played from 1935-1936 before the War. Just goes to show just how amazingly strong our rugby spirit and culture is here in New Zealand!

[@unknownentity742]

This is not true. No one I know, knows of anyone that has played for the all blacks.

[@Icanbacktrailers]

@@unknownentity742I can think of about 5. An ex flatmates brother, a guy I went to school with and played rugby with, my wife’s great uncle, … i think it’s reasonably common.

[@joshl4111]

@@unknownentity742my schoolmate’s husband is currently in the All Black’s XV and will likely end up in the main squad, and I was good friends with Laurie Mains grandson at primary school. I’d say with our two degrees of separation in NZ it’s extremely likely that most people have an ABs connection.

[@micheinnz]

@@unknownentity742 Not a relative, but my 4th form high school teacher had been an All Black in the early '80s. His best mate, who used to come and visit sometimes, is Wayne Smith. Current head coach of the Black Ferns.

[@notahanzomain5282]

Caleb Clarke goes to my church

[@Itspete101]

I think it is worth mentioning that New Zealand (and also Australia) attracts a lot players from countries in the Pacific such as the Samoa, Tonga or Fiji where rugby is also the most popular sport. They have better infrastructures and also better pay for those players so the pool of talents is even bigger. You can find a good number of players in the All Blacks and in the Wallabies who chose to play for them instead of their native pacific nation. I saw a good documentary on the Samoan rugby federation where players said that the only reason you play for Samoa is for the love of the country and nothing else.

[@the-rf2dq]

more Islanders live in NZ than in the Islands

[@bodybalanceU2]

and all these pacifika players are born and bred in nz and choose to play for their birth country - why is it so hard for you to understand people play for their birth country regardless of their heritage - im surprised you are not moaning why findlay christie is not playing for scotland as he is a scottish all black but of course he is the wrong colour for the likes of you lot moaning about pacific islanders

[@Trajan2401]

In the last test there was only 1 Island born player in the AB 23 and he was on the bench

[@pablodono7227]

What would the all blacks look like without importing those players? Will that make an important difference?

[@pablodono7227]

​@@Trajan2401good point.. I was wondering exactly that.. How much difference will it make without this other players.. It looks like it won't make much difference

[@lukealexander7271]

As someone from New Zealand I appreciate the video very much ! Love the recognition from the states !

[@blapez3071]

I’ve always wanted to visit your country, love from Chicago ❤️

[@MeatyFeet1]

@@blapez3071 I’m a kiwi that has went to Chicago multiple time. If youre a kiwi and reading this.. you must go to Chicago. It’s an awesome city

[@buzzaboo]

​@@MeatyFeet1ok will do 👍

[@asheru9254]

How's the L tasting🍝😂😂

[@dominicm255]

I'm planning a trip to Chi town. I remember my dad went there in the 80s. He loved the skyscrapers. I went to US 5 yrs ago for the first time. LA, SFC, NYC, 1 month. Blew my mind. Amazing people. Chicago is next. You can fly direct from Auckland.

[@willkelly7370]

I'm from New Zealand, it definitely feels like the game is on a downwards trajectory. Struggling attendance to the super rugby where stadiums used to be full and NZ Rugby has called for a full overhaul of management. Football is on the rise, which I think can be seen by the attendance to the women's world cup. More kids play football now than rugby as the game is just more inclusive and accessible. But I'm still extremely proud of rugby heritage!

[@johngarveyire]

Got to tackle lower , safer mate, pros giving the game a bad name with moms and dads with the use of sholder and being huge. At school and highschool it always been about the correct safe tackle, the responsibility to take care of the guy to the ground. Kowning the guy is going to take care of you, not try hurt you allows the game be great. (and some beers)

[@cs0654]

Add to that, SANZAR offered a great spectacle. Guess the Saffers are missed after all.

[@wellingtonian2009]

There are more registered basketball players than rugby players.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

​@@wellingtonian2009 I was going to say something about that. New Zealand has quite a popular basketball league, which I assume is semi pro.

[@bickertonwayne]

I think making another video about the Springboks (the All Blacks biggest rivals) would be awesome as their story is one of the great stories in the world of rugby

[@musicwelikemang]

South Africa and NZ truly are the 2 giants of world rugby. I say that as a jealous Aussie.

[@lm_b5080]

no need for a video, i believe Clint Eastwood already covered that topic

[@liamcollins9183]

And maybe also some of the controvery that this sporting relationship caused in the 70s and 80s. When the All Blacks toured South Africa in 1975, the Apartheid regime was an increasingly pariah state, and as a result of the tour, NZ almost got suspended from the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and because it wasn't, many African nations boycotted them instead. In 1981, when the Springboks toured NZ, the country was split in two across social and political lines, which led to massive civil unrest and protests which turned violent in the face of police brutality.

[@Troy13]

I would say that Ozzie is our biggest rival. SA is our greatest nemesis.

[@JimChap]

@@liamcollins9183 No need, this is well known, but we are talking about the dominance of a sports team and a great sporting rivalry here - politics doesn't need to be injected into it at all to explain the intensity and competitiveness of this rivalry. You SJW's are so annoying.

[@krombopulos_michael]

Ireland has been among the top ranked teams for many years now, with a similar population to New Zealand (although with less cultural focus on the game), but we'd be happy just to finally make it past the quarter finals of the world cup, which we have never done despite being pretty strong in other tournaments.

[@idgaf2024]

As a Kiwi I’ll comfortably say it’s Irelands to win. With France hit by injuries before the we’ve kicked a ball I believe Ireland will have to much for everyone else

[@ds2985]

​@@idgaf2024hopefully mate

[@savolrat]

If Australia can't win then I'll be cheering for Ireland 💚

[@DDSistemeGraficeDDSistemeGrafi]

you have a real chance to reach the quarters and even the semis. you have three players trained and established as top players in New Zealand and for over 10 years you have benefited from top coaches from New Zealand.

[@JeremyHobbs]

As a Kiwi, Ireland is my number 2 team to win it should the All Blacks not progress. Go the All Greens!

[@giod6266]

Wow, nice video! Im rugby player and coach myself, from Georgia. We have our own cool story about how much rugby gave Georgia in 90s, when everything else was bad, 3 wars, we had only poverty and misery. Only rugby was giving us victories, some happiness and feeling pride , and it made rugby special for georgians. So much special, that for about 15/10 years ago, Georgian government invested into rugby development and started building modern rugby stadiums, with full packages like training centers, meeting holes, relaxing rooms, small hotels and more. More than 12 stadiums/rugby bases have been built until now, more are under construction and more under planning.. Rugby is played/traind at schools now and in some cases, at kindergartens. Rugby is growing like nothing before!

[@MrWilt100]

Wow I'm so happy to hear how Georgia has developed with a little help from the sport of rugby. As you will already know rugby in New Zealand is like a religion where your basically born into it. Go well and go strong my friend and may the sport of rugby be long lived in your country as you enjoy it as much as we do.

[@giod6266]

@@MrWilt100 Thank you!

[@iansteelmatheson]

reminds me how Canada has consistently produced the most top-end hockey players in the world for 3-4 generations now, and is also beginning to become less dominant, despite the insane talent level of young guys like Connor McDavid & Connor Bedard

[@FootballShift]

What New Zealand is doing in Rugby is amazing! Great video!

[@user-uc1lf6wo8i]

Very good rugby terrains there in Autearoa New Zealand

[@AndyGJamieson]

A more interesting story is the financial viability of the sport at the professional level. Many top tier clubs in England, Wales, South Africa Australia and NZ struggle to stay afloat in a world dominated by pro sports. Namely football. Clubs constantly have to fold, restructure, cheat salary caps and even commit fraud to stay alive.

[@ChineseKiwi]

Yep, this was overlooked.

[@Nope-sj7es]

Notably not an issue for Irish teams due to how the sport is structured entirely to benefit the national team first and foremost

[@Krankenwagen571]

This applies to all sports not only rugby .

[@ncard00]

Probably a good team cause they eat a whole foods plant based diet instead of animal based food.

[@James-lu1vs]

Its because of skill the diet and eating meat in your diet is then plant based

[@iallso1]

The video missed out an entire level of rugby, between high school and Super Rugby is Provincial Rugby. This sees players playing for the province in which they live, usually in which they have lived their whole life. Players are invested in their province for that reason as well as the hope that they will from there secure contracts to play Super Rugby .

[@doneiliragaba1266]

Your editing in God-tier level and coupled with great visual explanation of the sport you’ve earned another subscriber-ME! Can’t wait for another video from you. Keep up the great work,

[@AndrewPonti]

As an American, I love you Kiwis! NZ is one of my top places to visit next.

[@JaemanEdwards]

Respect bro. Nau mai here mai.

[@toxsicxr8ford57]

Don't forget to bring some "Baby Ruth" chocolate lol

[@oliverowens9186]

When I think of New Zealand rugby, Tony Johnson is always my inner monologue. What a guy, as iconic as Peter Drury for sure.

[@kahidunn7907]

Growing up it was Keith Quinn for me, such a vast knowledge of the game and a real gentleman

[@izzy031096]

It’s Grant Nisbett and TJ for me.

[@vaegaf]

@@kahidunn7907yup Keith Quinn wil always be the voice of Nz rugby

[@almostyummymummy]

Keith Quinn and his famous line... Still gets me today.

[@HB-zi3og]

Tony is the best commentator out there currently.

[@benrobinson375]

This is a great analysis. I think a big factor in recent times is that many of the other teams have gotten better. Also, some of the teams (particularly France and England), seemed to have 'figured us out'. They have adopted different ways of playing rugby to counter our playing styles, which mean we have to adapt more. I think the AB's can still win the cup, but they aren't favourites anymore. I guess you could say they're one of four teams who are favourites (barring an upset).

[@dynamo1796]

As a kiwi I have to say - this documentary is bang on the money!

[@colmivers]

Putting England in as a favorite for this tournament tells me everything I need to know about the author's rugby knowledge

[@jamesgrewar461]

It should of been Scotland instead of England

[@cs0654]

You are of course entitled to your opinion, here's mine: Great vid for someone that took the effort to learn, and present a pretty good summary, even without a deep knowledge of the game. To me the benefit here: no bias, just stats :). For us pundits, we all think our teams are the best, guess we'll know where we all stand over the next month and a bit.

[@colmivers]

@@cs0654 I'll bet your wife England don't win 😋

[@cs0654]

@colmivers brother you can bet my wife will kick you in the nuts if you drag her into this. For the record, I'm a Springbok so let's pick this up after next weekend's game.

[@colmivers]

@@cs0654 🤣 I'll be at that game live. Every boks game this year has made me more nervous

[@GoldenGoalposts]

Nice job guys glad that rugby is finally getting some recognition

[@garethdesborough7960]

In America you mean? Sure, that’s great. It’s always had great recognition in the rest of the World. But, yeah; come on in!

[@Primal-Weed]

@@garethdesborough7960America is gonna host the 2031 Rugby World Cup… it’s gonna be epic.

[@TheTheotherfoot]

@@Primal-Weed Yes it will. By that time I hope that the TV presenters have learned enough about rugby to stop talking total garbage.

[@mrlemondude2944]

I am very confused, are they talking about rugby union, or rugby league?

[@garethdesborough7960]

@@mrlemondude2944 Union.

[@clippedrugby14]

Excellent video so great that someone’s picked up on the Rugby World Cup given the lack of hype in the media

[@FullOfMalarky]

Lack of hype in which countries media?

[@clippedrugby14]

@@FullOfMalarky I made this comment before the World Cup. At the time there was very little media attention for the tournament across the whole of the UK

[@donovankelly12]

Great video!! As a Canadian who has moved to NZ on a work visa I can say it’s been pretty amazing to see how passionate the kiwis are about Rugby. We’ve attended 3 Super Rugby games and saw an All Blacks game in Dunedin a month ago as well. The All Blacks experience in Auckland was so cool and though it wasn’t very fancy, the NZ sports hall of fame in Dunedin was great to see too, lots of Rugby history to be shared and this video did a really nice job of doing that. I’ve subscribed. Cheers!

[@waffle_burger8499]

Awesome video, as a New Zealander you have done a great job with this production!

[@vijaybalaji9061]

In cricket they're very good, they got over 60% win rate in the world cup history. They were the first champion in the world test championship

[@bopcity5785]

As someone from NZ it is so cool to see recognition for the sport that is so important here around the world, thanks for the amazing video. One note at 7:09 while some high schools are called colleges this is an ambiguous term which refers to some (usually specific eg. Kings College) universities and high schools (both of which fit here in the pipeline). Sometimes which it is can be inferred with a lot of context clues. Either way, high school is generally fine in NZ

[@BruceNJeffAreMyFlies]

Never heard anyone in Aotearoa refer to college as 'high school'... I can think of a dozen colleges and not a single high school, as far as their names go.

[@pygoas]

@@BruceNJeffAreMyFlies Green Bay High, Henderson High, Wellington High, Westlake, Chch boys/girls, heaps. College is kinda an older term i think?

[@BruceNJeffAreMyFlies]

@@pygoas Fancy that, I looked it up and there are about 100 in the whole country. There are 800 called college though, so that explains why I've never heard of one called 'high school'.

[@bananewane1402]

@@BruceNJeffAreMyFliesThat’s odd because the high school I went to here explicitly had “High School” in the name.

[@BruceNJeffAreMyFlies]

@@bananewane1402 As I said, there are a hundred schools with 'High school' in the name, but there are 800 called 'college'. High school exists here, but its not common.

[@Jonathan2x6]

This was very well researched and presented. Well done.

[@Trajan2401]

NZ have been multiple world champions in all their main team sports rugby,cricket,hockey,softball,league,sailing,rowing,netball etc so they are more than just rugby as you can see they even finished in the top 5 per capita at the last Olympics they are a great sporting nation for their population

[@o2285]

This is a really good video, good job. I really like your style. I trust you to keep working hard, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us.

[@Search-Party]

Thank you so much!

[@alexandervanwyk7669]

Thanks for a great story, yes NZ still represents the pinnacle of rugby passion. We will always respect them immensely for this. Love from S Africa. Also would have loved if you brought a little credit to tiny countries such as Fiji, Tonga and Samoa that, like the Maori's added to NZ's success story.

[@smpdevelopments]

this was such a great video, super interesting. Thanks for putting it together.

[@thomasidzal8831]

Superb video! This is what KZbin needs more of! Well researched, expertly told and marvelously presented story. In less than 20 min you’ve learned something and it has stuck with you because of the outstanding visual aids. You can also intelligently articulate a rationale for the “why” behind the story. Love this.

[@Search-Party]

Glad you liked it Thomas Idzal!! Thanks for subscribing

[@Ash0010]

Except for the fact that all games on a tour aren't' test matches...

[@p.e.amueli8272]

Proud New Zealander here love rugby 🏉

[@andrekruger7167]

Super impressed with your video, I was constantly captivated and especially enjoyed the history part of the video. It would be awesome if you could make similar videos for all the tier-one rugby teams and would appreciate it if you could do South Africa next.

[@justranting4510]

Can not do SA as if your honest it will be banned. Pre 1995 SA VS NZ P 37 SA 20 NZ 15 D 2. Posts racist quotas that was inverted. Plus the All blacks never faced the best Bok team of all time 1984 to 1989 ( though the Cavaliers AKA All blacks did and were the only team to beat these guys 19/18 and they lost the remaining 3 ) Now what needs pointing out is that 3 (If I recall right) All Blacks refused to play for the Cavaliers and they were important players so a real SA vs NZ tour might have been different.

[@umairsystem]

Great distilling of the researched content. Amazing video editing and on top of that mind blowing storytelling.

[@enjoir]

A video well done and edited. Keep up the awesome work.

[@Sikasays]

I think something needs to be said for the culture of innovation with Kiwis. There's an ingrained "let's figure this out" approach to problem solving that found its way into our sports culture. That's why kiwis punch well above their weight in other sports too like rowing, kickboxing and now MMA, cycling, triathlon etc

[@tommcg7564]

The ol number 8 wire mentality

[@smizzle_]

The haka is one of the most fasinating things to watch.

[@yourheinness9275]

Great video thanks bra! I bet our coach in South Africa will pay attention to this and make appropriate decisions in Sa. Now that the whole world knows how their system works we will assuredly take note to improve on our own system. Ta!

[@bb21again.67]

Amazing analysis that to me hits every nail on the head,well done.😊

[@pedertoftkristensen5484]

Your content is so entertaining whilst being educational. You pull it off well

[@PanixATK]

I forgotten how awesome World Cup Rugby has been over the years. Particularly the Japanese team. Looking forward to see how they'll progress this year.

[@BassmentProductions]

not gonna be good this year

[@JaemanEdwards]

The Japanese team have never been awesome

[@e.t.h.559]

they will lose to England, Argentina and Samoa so to answer your question, they won’t get very far

[@einherjar9364]

As a New Zealander, I LOVE seeing the smaller countries and their underdog stories, especially as they continue to improve over the years. Japan and Argentina are two great examples of this

[@jiggyjigs14]

Enjoyed this. Good work

[@lethuradebe7725]

You explore content from around the world, definitely subscribing

[@BenlshTracker]

Gave me mad goosebumps hearing about the All Blacks' dominance, love from Singapore!

[@mixmmick]

I'm australian but my Mum was a maori (moved to Australia when she was 17), she always loved her rugby and the All Blacks. When she passed away back in 2013 we buried her with her old All black jumper she'd had since she was a kid. She had one other jumper (signed by the 2011 world cup team), that one was given to my nephew. As much as I loved mum and miss her, there is one thing she could never do....get me to where a bloody all blacks jumper. Sorry mum, I'm an aussie boy through and through, I prefer the Green and gold. 😂 worth pointing out my Dad was Italian, hated rugby (he referred Rugby players as "grande buco's", my old man was a real charmer) and only liked soccer, not surprising that mum and Dad divorced eventually.

[@JaemanEdwards]

Genealogy is very important in maori culture. Does it interest you and do you know where you come from ?

[@mixmmick]

@@JaemanEdwards I know bits and pieces, my sister knows a lot more (she's lived in new zealand for 30 years and is married to a full blood maori). I've been trying make a bit more effort of late. Some of what I know is my Grandma (Mum's mum) was Ngai Tahu, she died in 1966 (9 years before I was born). Don't know anything conclusive about my mum's bio dad, but based on conversations I had with my Grandad (my mums stepdad, scottish born kiwi) he thinks my mum's dad was Fijian (he never asked grandma about it and grandma never spoke of him, touchy subject), my mum never her bio father. My 2 uncles are my mum's half brothers (my grandad/mum's stepdad was their biological father). I was in new zealand back in june for my sisters 50th, we went and visited mums grave. For context, mum lived in Australia from 1967 to 2013 when she passed away (she died about a week after my sons 10th birthday, which she was determined stick around for, she loved her grandkids). her wish was to be buried in New Zealand next to grandma and for us to have a traditional tangi. Naturally we respected her wishes, in fact it was an honour.

[@JaemanEdwards]

@@mixmmick The Maori have a rich history. Descended from East Polynesia, their seafaring, and wayfinding prowess was legendary. Navigating over thousands of miles of brutal open ocean, using primitive methods and vessels. Maori are on all top 10 greatest warrior cultures lists for a reason. The haka was no idle threat. The Maori fought a brutal 30 year war with the British in the mid 1800s. The colonisers had much admiration for the military nous of the Maori. The introduction of gunpowder, sparked old intertribal conflicts, igniting into the Musket Wars between warring tribes that killed 40 thousand Maori. When the NZ Wars against the British Empire broke out, , the Maori were already battle hardened and battle tested. Masters at Ambush, guerilla, seige, psychological, and close quarters warfare, the Maori proved formidable opponents. Just as they did 100 years later against the Nazi's. Always heavily outnumbered and outgunned, they used knowledge of the terrain, ingenuity, and trench warfare to neutralise the firepower discrepancies. This was 50 years before the famous trenches of WWI. Multi levelled zig zag trenches with hidden firing pits, tunnels, and bomb proof bunkers. They had flax covering their firing pits that the musket balls would just bounce off. With shotguns traded for from american sealers, and traditional bludgeoning and slashing weapons in their arsenal. Once the Maori could fool their enemy into close quarters combat.... It was over. Ngai Tahu did not have much conflict as their was ample resources for everyone in the vast expansive, South Island. I am Nga Puhi, who were heavily involved in the NZ Wars, as Russell in their territory in Northland used to be the capital of New Zealand. The Maori population is approximately around one million worldwide. Back then through war and introduced european diseases, it was much less. Through fighting tooth and nail for their land, they became the most well treated colonised indigenous people in history. Today Maori are major land owners and consultants to government agencies and companies and major land developers. And basic te reo Maori is taught in virtually every school and kindergarten in the country. And of course the haka is appreciated and respected by all New Zealanders regardless of ethnicity. It is who we are. And it is who you are too. Former UFC Middleweight Champion kiwi born Maori Australian Robert Whittaker has talked about the journey to learning his whakapapa and maori culture, as he grew up with his australian father, slightly estranged from his mother's side. He said he always reps NZ and Australia. I don't know if you knew any of that or are even that interested, but I just wrote that piece on a history channel comment about the Maori on History at the OK Coral channel, and I thought I'd just copy and paste it anyway. I encourage you to stay in contact with you're ancestral Marae and Urupa (ancestral burial ground). And get a copy of your whakapapa. It's out there. Teach your children where they come from, and put them on that whakapapa. It is truly rewarding and makes you feel like you're a part of something. Your ancestral people will welcome you with open arms. Nau mai, haere mai. In a country as small as NZ, interbreeding is rife. So blood quantum is not an issue when it comes to Maori whakapapa. Even if you have majority white blood in you, as long as you acknowledge you're Maori.. You're Maori. I have 6 young blonde nephews and nieces and two with blue eyes, who all have regular contact to their ancestral marae, do kapa haka, and learn te reo Maori. They all have probably a quarter maori blood but are all proudly Maori. I have quarter maori cousins that grew up in England and Australia. All understand that they are of Maori descent and know exactly where they come from even though they are young and have never lived in NZ. And our grandfather was an officer in the famous 28th Maori Battalion in WW2. His grand marble gravestone with his honours etched on it, sits pride of place in our Urupa. Even for virtual foreigners like them, it is a source of pride and connection to this land. Chur cuz

[@mixmmick]

@@JaemanEdwards that's an interesting read, I knew some of it but not to that scale. Definitely proud to call myself a maori. My family heritage always interested me but moreso after mum died. Mum also felt it important I learn my Dad's geneology as well (even though Dad and I were estranged for much of my life). My dad was born and raised in Italy, my Dad's mother was sicilian and his biological father (my dad was born out wedlock) was, to quote my uncle (my dads half brother) verbatim "a dirty arab from some shithole in the desert" (apologies if that causes offence, my uncle was born a prick and died one too). So Dad was half Arab, half italian but raised my his mum and step father. Dad came to Australia in 1963 (he was 30) with his first wife and my older half brother (Giacomo, or Jim as most know him), they then had 2 more boy (Paulo and Georgio, or Paul and George as most know them). My Dad and his first wife divorced in around 1971, she then left 3 boys with my dad went back to italy never to be heard from again. My Dad met my mum in 1972 (mum was a cleaner and babysitter for my Dad), mum got pregnant with my sister not long after and they got married in late 1972 (mum was 21, Dad was 39). My sister (Elisabetta, or Lizzy as we know her) was born in june 1973, I (Antonio, though I'm as either Mick to most, my middle name is Mikaera) was born in August 1975. I think where my disconnect occured with my mums culture was that my Dad refused to let mum see her family, so we were mainly raised italian (in fact Dad refused to speak english at home, so my first language growing up was Italian). Mum and Dad divorced in 1987, I went live with my grandad (white kiwi I mentioned earlier) in regional West Australia soon after (long story). My friends through high school were mostly aboriginal (due to my darker skin, most thought I was Aboriginal too). I feel it's worth noting a couple of things. My 3 older brothers, though not biologically related, adored our mum and were heavily involved in the Tangi (we are all family). Another is with regards to my physique, I definitely got that from mum's side. I'm bit over 6'4 and weigh in at 115kg, when I was playing rugby and bodybuilding as a in my 20's I was around 120-125kg, a big f**ker. Reason I say this is my Dad was only about 5'6, my brother are all around 5'7-5'8. My mum and my sister aren't tall, but my mums brothers and their boys are all around my height or taller (my cousin Rui is the tallest at 6'8). Maori blood definitely blessed me in that respect.

[@JaemanEdwards]

@@mixmmick Maori Italian. Sounds like a pretty bad ass combo. And they fought each other in WW2. Hey maybe with your sicilian roots you might be Sicilian mob related. Or even the Australian Italian mob.

[@hoogyoutube]

This edit goes hard. Really really nice

[@soumyajeetchakrabarty6872]

This had been very insightful

[@phetogokgathi4217]

Coming back here after the loss

[@cakebandit]

As a kiwi, another problem with the school structure is the top schools will poach the best players for their teams. Our school was a lower tier new school, but had multiple high level players and was climbing the rankings, however all our best players were offered scholarships to elite schools to play so we were never able to break into the higher rankings. We have a current All Black who is a former student, and multiple NPC players. It definitely stifles development of other schools and clubs around the country, leading to less players feeding to the top levels

[@koro287]

Exactly,rigged corporate big boy toys are all these men are to them.

[@AmericanHorse-sg9oc]

Everyone has got it wrong. As a kid in the 80's and 90's. We played "Bullrush". What made it slightly different is we played 30 on 30 Bullrush in the Concrete Basketball area surrounded by walls on the side. We were nuts and fearless.

[@precioustraveler]

Great video! Well crafted, informative, and entertaining. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@iamneutral1]

Super awesome video, luv it soo much. And if you think of doing another sports video may i suggest Cricket you can do Domination of big three teams on international level (India, England and Australia) controlling the sports or you can do The rise of. IPL and it's effect on traditional cricket and how other countries started their own cricket primer league after seeing the success of Indian primer league.

[@raghavthakur388]

Even their team is very good at cricket too, they knocked out India in the World Cup Semifinals when even my city has a larger population then their whole country😅. They've never had big superstar names but their team just clicks at World cups and that too against way higher ranked teams.

[@theonelad3028]

we dominate alot of sports and punch well above our weight in many however a major factor that holds us back is money. We have a finite amount and so alot of sports just dont get the funding they need for us to even make it to overseas tournaments.

[@randyschwaggins]

​@@theonelad3028what sports do NZ dominate? Rugby Union - sure there is argument there...and you punch way above ur weight in Rugby League and Cricket...but to say you dominate those sports isn't true. Other than those 3 sports, I don't think NZ are anywhere near the strongest nation in other popular sports such netball, basketball, or football...so I'm sure what your comment about NZ dominating a lot of sports comes from.

[@theonelad3028]

@@randyschwaggins within many martial art forms we also punch greatly above our weight. netball is a weird one to say we dont when currently rank 2 in the world. so sorry dominate may be the wrong world but we sure as shit punch well above our weight when you consider population size. and again funding is a massive aspect to why you dont see other areas with as great a reach.

[@rogan6947]

We do dominate at netball? We're currently 2nd in the world and have been first a lot for long periods so not sure what you mean there. Basketball is on the rise, but currently is limited to some individual players excelling, but our national team isn't bad considering the best players go to the US national teams. And football I mean we're okay, but can't compete with Europe obviously, Then if you consider athletics, we always finish in the top 5 in the summer olympics for medals per capita which is insane, and first if you only consider nations with a significant amount of medals, we even finished in 7th at the last winter olympics which is barely funded. We are also by far the best in the world at rowing and sailing. We've had some great golfers, I could go on and on... So saying we only dominate in 3 sports is ridiculous! @@randyschwaggins

[@Icanbacktrailers]

@@randyschwaggins nz is good at sailing and rowing. Does alright in motor sports and freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

[@LawAndBedlum]

I love that you did a video on rugby

[@Maxilace]

Great vid. Glad I came upon it. Will be interested in further vids espesh about The All Blacks and other rugby nations. Subbed

[@iancordell4718]

When you invest you're buying a day you don't have to work

[@scottshah2483]

​@@puknicidre_alexIt's not ignorance but due to some unprofessional broker in the market

[@peterwilliams4506]

​@@marcushamza9I agree, i invested in Shiba coin and BTC last year and now I am bullish.

[@hernandezgerald3887]

I advice everyone to start investing and never rely on just salary. No billionaire made it through salary

[@LaVolpeWhy]

Oh man, the visual presentation in this beyond stellar. Tasteful graphic elements and those bits of focus blur just really sing to me. A bit of a tangent, but this really got me thinking about how national identity and how we use the internet go hand in hand too! Whereas in recent years there seems to be a small percentage of the US's populace eeking towards all the negative elements that nationalism embodies, New Zealand puts it into something healthy and focused - a hobby, a sport, something to be enjoyed by everyone. The interesting connection comes from how we use the internet, and what it serves us. A majority of people aren't really indexers and have results shared with them that suggest them towards a negative path, while all the platform (youtube, facebook, ig ect) care about is serving ads and the relevant content to keep you scrolling. I feel that tailoring what a platform shares with you should be connected to your actual hobbies and interests first and foremost than some of the more negative and harmful biases, scams, cults and hatred that is spread online. I really feel like it's the solution to get people out of how they've unfortunately been mislead by certain pundits. Could definitely be worth discussing in some form I feel, if not here than perhaps by adjacent colleagues. Keep up the great work!

[@ripwig6682]

Very well done. Thank you

[@TCt83067695]

Can we take a minute to appreciate the level of detail in the graphics? Really brings the analysis to life.

[@ditlevbjerregaard571]

Loved the video. You really should do a video on Balkan basketball.

[@JACKAL98]

As a kiwi i always want the All blacks to win but if they dont win this time, i want argentina to win it. Because theyve put in an invredible amount of hardwork into the sport over the past 3 years even tho they constantly lose they always come back stronger with their heads held high. They deserve the cup.

[@ianfarrar5634]

Kiwi all so ,go FIJI

[@derekng9766]

Great vid, really appreciate it from a nzer. One thing in the pipeline - we also have the paid domestic competition (NPC). Whilst there are instances of younger players going into Super or even the ABs (Jonah, Reiko, etc) our main feeder into Super is the NPC. Its vitally important because its the first step into professionalism.

[@wiannbruinenberg]

It's really cool to see the excellence of something I never would've been exposed to otherwise! :)

[@allansbullet]

I have played Rugby, Australian Rules Football, and Rugby League, all here in Christchurch, New Zealand. I really enjoyed them all, as well as being one of New Zealand's premiere ice hockey players for about 12 years (I'm an ex-pat Canadian, came here to NZ in 1973) and at one time played League on Saturday afternoons, on the piss at the clubrooms on Saturday night, Hockey on Sunday mornings, and Australian Rules on Sunday afternoons - then on the piss again Sunday night! On Mondays I was pretty sore and tired, but I did it for 5 years! FIT??? Christ, that wouldn't even describe what I was!! The one thing I will say, including about rugby, is that ALL of those games are incredible and enjoyable to play - and THAT is what New Zealand is about - we've always been a nation of PARTICIPANTS, NOT FUCKING COUCH POTATOS OR ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS!!! New Zealand, for it's population, punches WELL above it's weight in EVERY sport that Kiwis choose to participate in, and the WHOLE COUNTRY gets behind our sports people - THAT'S what makes New Zealand so good at rugby!!

[@donjorvead2431]

One thing to note: never underestimate the All Blacks. They may not be at their strongest but never sleep on them.

[@ayoutubewatcher5445]

A lad from new zealand here. I can say one thing and that is everywhere you look here theres atleast a field with a guy playing with a Rugby ball

[@user-di6il8jz8t]

something to mention that I noticed was that even if you don't play rugby it heavily effects your life i go to CHBS and we have been reasonably dominant but there are games like bull rush where we practice tackling or touch which is a game that is in between rippa and proper rugby.

[@stormrider12345678]

Yessss, agreee with most of the comments! :) I'm so glad that someone picked that up. We should see more videos about this magical sport that I play and love. Nice video and overall love your channel. Keeep it up.

[@loganleroy8622]

How is it magical?

[@ronti2492]

Well done- great analysis of NZ rugby from Americans! Hats off!

[@Jimmy_Bobb]

Great video. One important missing piece in the pathways diagram was the NPC (national provincial championship) which is the first step into professionalism but a tier below Super rugby. Something many other rugby nations don't have.

[@Tom_McMurtry]

Yes

[@benjamm1n91]

learned a lot watching this! lots i didn't even know... and I'm from New Zealand LOL great work!

[@SantiagoAntonutti]

As an Argentinian I despise the New Zealand team but I love seeing them play, don't mind their dominance tbf.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

Up the Pumas, we'll see you in the Semis

[@SantiagoAntonutti]

@@RubyDoobieScoo Yeah!! We will have more encounters in the future judging by our 7s team. These younger generations of kiwis and Argies are gonna dominate for sure. 🍀

[@nonya1100]

I think one thing you didnt mention in this video, which is very important. The Pacific Islands are also part of super rugby and their players dont leave to play for New Zealand anymore..

[@GrantCotty-fn5wk]

Well done with your analysis. I'd also add a prevalence of weight grading for younger players, and the quality of coaching which is almost a self sustaining cycle, although at top levels we have now export a bunch of coaches

[@juniorjaybrown7465]

A lot of top Rugby players from around the world (not all but a lot of them) attended IRANZ (International Rugby Academy New Zealand) which is located in Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand to improve their skills in Rugby and then after graduating they either travel back to their homeland to sign contracts or sign contracts with clubs around the world and immediately move there to fulfill their contracts. These are just some of them who graduated from IRANZ. - Francois Steyn (South Africa) - Mike Harris (Australia) - Louis Stanfill (USA) - Tom Youngs (England) - Scott LaValla (USA) - Vainikolo Fetuu (Tonga) - Shoji Ito (Japan) - Mike Cusack (England) - Shawn Pittman (USA) - Nemia Soqeta (Fiji) - Francois Ventre (South Africa) - Jayden Hayward (Italy) - Davon Raubenheimer (South Africa) - Phillip McKenzie (Canada) - Jake Schatz (Australia) - James Slipper (Australia) - Jack Cuthbert (Scotland) - Daniel Baker (Wales) - Masataka Mikami (Japan)

[@rahowherox1177]

The class thing isn't just rugby. Nz does very well in traditionally rich man sports... Rugby, sailing, rowing etc.

[@loganleroy8622]

**cough** Cricket

[@ChrisSmith-mk3wo]

I think the key point made in the video is that everyone (or certainly most) people in NZ are exposed to rugby. In england it is very much a class thing. State run schools dont have rugby as something on offer, whereas every private school plays rugby for the first term of the school year. So if you were to look at the current england team, the vast majority are privately educated. Ellis Genge goes against the grain as he didnt come from a priveliged upbringing. I would also say to anyone who watched the video and is thinking about getting interested in rugby, now is a great time to get started. The rugby world cup starts on 08/09/23 and the first game is France vs NZ, who are probably the two biggest favourites. It is also the most mad world cup as it is possibly the most open world cup ever. Despite what the video says, england are probably odds on to exit the tournament after the group stage as we are bloody awful at the moment. Ireland and South Africa are up there to win it, and nations who previously would expect to get no further than the groups stage could go a lot deeper. These are teams like Scotland, Georgia and Fiji.

[@tommcg7564]

Eng population 67 million. NZ population 5 million.

[@rncmv]

@@tommcg7564 67 million is population of the UK, not England.

[@nubbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbin]

you definitely play rugby at state schools in england 100%

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

Rugby is on the national school curriculum in England. Rugby clubs are all over the place. Private schools will have a higher standard of rugby but people of all classes play it.

[@ZubzSaidThat]

Love the content produced by this channel off the first 3 videos alone. Nothing in common amongst the three but each video had me enagaged nonethelss. Would love to connect with you and see if you needed help anywhere at Search Party! LOVE!

[@Danielvan26]

Interesting that South Africa gets mentioned only a few times. Reached the final again in 2023 and the only other team to win 3 world cups.

[@dogdog2635]

Ye I noticed that as well. You can’t talk about dominance when they don’t even hold hedgemony over the number of World Cup titles

[@user-qb7gb7mn4v]

Easily the best sport in the world, thanks for the coverage, Sam

[@Search-Party]

🫡

[@offal]

No Football is the best sport in the world, Rugby union is my favourite but it isnt the best, it cannot touch football.

[@diogeneslantern18]

@@offal it's obviously their opinion.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

@@offal Rugby Union is Football, the real Football.

[@offal]

yes it is but association football is called football all over the world, rugby is called rugby, yes it is my favourite and older than association, association in its earlier days, was played more like rugby , you could pick the ball up etc. both were played in English public schhools, eton harrow and rugby, all had a different form of the game till it split. Americans played Rugby at this point, but formulated their own game derived from the 2.@@RubyDoobieScoo

[@atkascha]

11:00 Reminds me of football (soccer) in England. Similar instances exist in basically every western European country, but there's a ton of pressure put on 13 to 15 year olds to be "good enough" in the academy system. Additionally, with the rise of other sports (world basketball, the internationalization of the NFL, growth in track and field, etc) there are other opportunities for young people to be exposed to another sport, that not only may pay better, but something they like and can be successful at.

[@guswilliams9603]

Nothing pays better than football at the top level. NFL and NBA can come close, but no Englishman is gonna make it in those leagues anyway.

[@s1.m511]

​@@guswilliams9603NBA pays far better. The likes of Kane and Salah are only getting paid what average players get in the nba.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

​@@s1.m511 yes but the chances of a Brit playing in the NBA or the NFL are slim. Thousands of Brits are playing professional football (soccer).

[@kastawaygaming2349]

The two schools Auckland grammar and king’s college both give out scholarships based on sporting capabilities. They also have old boys club which funnel a crap tonne of money in the pockets of scouts etc which is why these two schools both dominate and get more opportunities

[@leonpatrick5606]

Awesome quick and simple breakdown of New Zealand Rugby.

[@billywhizz5021]

Interesting fact, there are 59 NZ born and raised players playing for other nations in this World Cup. Add in the NZ players in the All black squad, there are a total 92 New Zealand born players playing in the 2023 World Cup!.

[@tommcg7564]

That’s a very telling stat. Not to mention the coaches

[@joedennehy386]

And a few coaches

[@NmpK24]

And ironically, dont forget the number of current All Blacks were actually born outside of New Zealand.

[@caylebmladenovic3348]

@@NmpK24less than 5 ever 🤦‍♂️ the irony. There are more kiwis playing for Samoa and Tonga than players born outside of nz playing for nz

[@cameronkerr5118]

Thank you for covering the sport! Amazing video, so glad its getting wider recognition especially in the states!

[@petewitton4466]

I’m so proud of our All Blacks… thanks for this , was a fantastic watch 👍❤

[@sven_bender]

Decent video, really just gave us the broad strokes but I appreciate your effort 👍

[@peterstreiff3811]

I ❤ Rugby 🏉! Peter from 🇨🇭

[@oneness1_]

NZ is about to prove that they are #1❤! Go AB!!!

[@tristanmyburgh5068]

Springboks entering the chat 👀

[@oneness1_]

@tristanmyburgh5068 come on in Bokke! We love you guys but this year, we're taking the World Cup back to NZ!

[@damianjimenez9021]

I would love to see a video on lacrosse, and the growth of the sport especially professional lacrosse (the creation of the PLL) and what it holds in the future

[@loganleroy8622]

Honestly I feel like Lax fits into that category of sport for posh, elite, east coast schools for kids to feel like they’re violent and tough without actually being violent or tough.

[@stephenpalaski5715]

Can’t talk about New Zealand rugby without the NPC and Heartland competitions

[@harryselwind]

Just watched the last of the four quarter-finals, at least two of which were truly epic. Tonight, South Africa beat the hosts and many experts' tournament favourites, France. Yesterday, the number one team in the world, Ireland, was beaten by the All Blacks. Semi-finals to come but a Springbock v All Black final looks likely. And what a match that could be.

[@nathanmacnaughton9763]

Both would be playing for their 4th wc win as well. Can’t wait.

[@Tom_McMurtry]

Indeed

[@dogdog2635]

And what a match it was

[@nelhnz6980]

Nicely produced video

[@DiegoTeliz]

Great video! it would be awesome if you could make a similar video about Uruguay in Football. There are a lot of similarities, small population (3M) but it always keeps up with titans like Arg (46M) or Brazil (214M).

[@davidantoine8296]

Amazing that such a small nation can dominate the sport

[@offal]

It`s not amazing, it`s natural when a country piles all of it`s resources into one sport which is a national obsession, they should be dominant? look at australia 25million a country 29 times the size so do the math on that roughly 1 million people, so 4 times less the population on area populous, and ask yourself why arnt Australia as dominant in rugby union as NZ, i mean they are in league, cricket swimming, rugby, aussie rules, athletics football etc. because they compete in all sports, and they are way way, more sucessful than NZ in all but 1. and that`s purley because they don`t care as much about union. cricket is their national sport, and league they are unbeatable Six world cups in a row,13 titles only GB and NZ have won a league world cup, Now that is dominance. and it`s not even theor national sport lol.

[@sigma4500]

With players from all over the pacific😂

[@DavidSmith-yi8ou]

@@sigma4500mostly born in NZ though.

[@tommcg7564]

@@offalHaters gone hate

[@MeanAzz_13]

​@@sigma4500 and guess who has the *most exports* to other Countries? 💪🏾🇳🇿 *57 exports* 4 x more than the next Country 😂😂