Feeding off the All Blacks’ aura
The country benefits greatly, in sporting and economic terms, from the rugby team’s success
If you're among those harbouring the fantasy that the rest of the world might be catching up with the smooth symmetry that surrounds the All Black machine, think again.
On and off the pitch rugby, New Zealand-style, has never been in better shape.
World Cup holders in both forms of the game, the Kiwis arrived in Hong Kong comforted by the thought that the people who run the game are sitting on a war chest of close to US$64 million.
Rugby helps in all sorts of ways simply because it is the best-known brand in New Zealand
The country's 14 top-tier provinces all turned a profit in 2013 and fans, sponsors, and everyone and everything was thrown behind the sport.
Success, it is said, breeds success, so it was little wonder New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Recreation and Sport Murray McCully has carried the air of a man very much in love with life with him to town this week, even though he admitted to being too busy to watch the All Blacks himself.
"In direct terms the game is a reasonably significant player in New Zealand, but it's the indirect spin-offs that really makes a difference to the country," he said.
"We have a relationship between sport and our export industries that we think is unique, and obviously works very well. Rugby helps in all sorts of ways simply because it is the best-known brand in New Zealand."
You can't underestimate it. Sport, and rugby in particular, is vital to the psyche of the country
It's hard to think of another nation where one game exerts so much influence.
"Well, our prime minister recently set the date for our next election - the 20th of September - and the only reason for that is it's the only weekend in September when the All Blacks are not playing an international," laughed McCully.
"It would be regarded as completely disrespectful to put a political event on the same day as a match involving the All Blacks. You can't underestimate it. Sport, and rugby in particular, is vital to the psyche of the country."
After a few years dwelling in the financial doldrums, it would appear sponsors are also flocking back to support the game, which has helped wipe out the hurt incurred by the cost of the 2011 World Cup, which New Zealand might have won, but which ran up an estimated loss of over US$31 million.
"We knew the event would cost us money - these things always do," said McCully. "But we also had to account just how much it meant to the country.
"Winning helped, of course, as has the continued success of the All Blacks across all forms of the game. But there is a genuine love of sport, and a pride in the national team."
It also helps the All Blacks set-up ensures players and officials are made available to support government-sponsored events - such as the one hosted by the country's Hong Kong consulate on Thursday night, which featured the likes of superstar Christian Cullen and treated guests to samples of the nation's produce.
Again, in this modern age it's hard if not impossible to find another nation where such a relationship exists.
"The New Zealand Rugby Union have always been very generous," he said.
"They have partnered us with everything we have wanted. It's a partnership that's not written down in any contract, it just works on a handshake and plenty of goodwill."
And the results continue to speak for themselves.
