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The readers of have spoken and it appears the All Blacks have listened. They say they are ready to sing their national anthem loud and proud tomorrow night against Italy.
After a resounding response to an opinion column this week imploring the All Blacks to belt out their anthem with the same gusto and pride that they show for their haka, it appears that the subject has hit home.
“I haven’t instructed them to sing the anthem.
With over 1000 comments posted on the original story and a poll revealing emphatically that New Zealanders would like to see their All Blacks treat their anthem with more respect, both coach and captain today confirmed the topic had been discussed within the team… yet,” said Henry at today’s captain’s press conference..
“I think that’s a decision they will come to.”
In other words, the All Blacks have been made aware that the mixture of stony silence and self-conscious mumbling that the majority of them seem to favour is not reflecting well on the team..
Skipper Mils Muliaina admitted some players were probably less emphatic in their delivery than they should be – a situation he put down to the conservatism of Kiwis in general.
“I think they should sing the anthem, sure,” added Henry when asked for his view on the topic.
“We’ve had a brief discussion as players,” he said.
“We’ve had a brief discussion as players,” he said. If you look at the French and compare them to us, we probably just open our lips a little bit. We’re probably conservative people as Kiwis. “We’re very passionate about being All Blacks and also the national anthem.
“Perhaps there’s a couple of guys in the team that don’t sing, but the majority of the group do,” added Muliaina. . We don’t I suppose jump up and down about it. we’re pretty conservative people..”
A bit of levity was then restored when the subject of whether certain All Blacks actually shouldn’t sing the anthem, given their vocal prowess.
“But we are making a conscious effort to do that, and we are very proud of it. “There’s some not very good singers in this team. “There’s some not very good singers in this team. Jimmy Cowan doesn’t sing it and I’ve just realised why – because he can’t sing.”
Of course Henry then had the last word: “We’ll have to get them a singing coach,” barked the coach.
Not such a bad idea if it gets these guys belting out their anthem with the gusto it deserves.