Our national identity is - for many - inextricably tied to rugby.
Our prowess on the field is a source of pride and inspiration.
Rugby is intensely sporting but represents far more, showcasing as it does multicultural diversity while uniting us through teamwork, courage, skill and determination.
It is symbolic of our physicality, our pioneering spirit.
Our national heroes are often rugby players.
They show that anyone, from any family, any small town, from any beginnings, can make it in our egalitarian society.
Race, colour and creed are irrelevant.
All men, women and children are created equal on the New Zealand rugby field.
From backyard or playground childhood acorns, mighty oaks (or pine trees) can and do grow.
That rugby is so ingrained in the national consciousness probably explains at least in part the collective grief in relation to the death of young player Jordan Kemp on Sunday.
The 17-year-old Northlander died after receiving a suspected head knock during a rugby game the previous day.
He resumed playing having been cleared five weeks ago by a doctor after being stood down for four weeks after being concussed earlier in the year.
In a terrible irony, it seems he was the first player to be given a ''blue card'', in a new world-first trial system founded by National MP Mike Sabin (whose own son has been affected by a rugby injury), approved by the New Zealand Rugby Union and International Rugby Board and rolled out throughout club and school first XV rugby in Northland earlier this year.
Under the system, a player with concussion symptoms is removed from the field and cannot play again until adhering to ACC guidelines and being cleared by a doctor. It is hoped the system might be rolled out nationwide.
Mr Kemp's coach has called for a high-level rugby brain injury forum, including the NZRU, medical practitioners and ACC, to be set up in order to prevent another tragedy.
He has also suggested players returning from stand-down periods undergo brain scan checks.
The NZRU says it constantly reviews player safety, and takes into account feedback from sports officials and academic research findings, but also says there are risks inherent in the contact sport.
That is undeniably the case - rugby and rugby league are among the top of the list of ACC sports injury claims, although that is likely to be because of the sheer numbers playing.
Football and netball are other high-claim sports. Serious injuries, including head injuries, can be suffered in the likes of cycling, equestrian sports, snow sports, boxing and others.
The positives of sport and recreation drastically outweigh the negatives of most.
Providing more education, changing attitudes and mitigating risks are no-brainers to ensure New Zealanders continue to enjoy their favourite pastimes.
And attitudes are changing.
In terms of rugby and rugby league, former and current players are speaking out, and the problem is being taken more seriously by officials at professional level worldwide, which also has an impact on amateurs and juniors.
Rugby coaches of all levels must now complete RugbySmart courses through ACC, which include education about concussion - including providing concussion kits for coaches and parents to help ensure proper medical treatment is sought.
Since the course's nationwide introduction, there has reportedly been a substantial decrease in the rate of injuries.
At junior level especially, coaches are usually non-professionals, often parents, so teaching them the basics is vital: to ensure players always use mouthguards, which protect teeth and mouths but are also good shock absorbers; to learn safe tackling techniques, and to remember the head is always off limits.
Penalties for foul play are often debated in professional rugby, but harsh penalties send a message about what is appropriate and what will not be tolerated, and that message filters down the ranks.
The most important message regarding concussion is changing too: that is, to no longer shake it off and play on, but ''when in doubt, sit it out''. Players, parents, coaches and officials all have a part to play.
The ''school of hard knocks'' is old-school thinking and must be consigned to the sin-bin - permanently.
