Anton Oliver
Former All Black and Highlanders hooker Anton Oliver has
slammed the decision to change the Highlanders' jersey and has
called on fans to rally against the switch to green.
Oliver, who amassed 127 games in a stellar career from 1996
to 2007, said he thought long and hard about whether he
should voice his concerns.
"Emotional, knee-jerk rants by former players exhumed from
the retirement graveyard aren't good for anyone," Oliver
wrote in a letter which appeared on the Stuff.co.nz website
yesterday.
"However . . . as the person who, over 12 years of service,
pulled the Highlander jersey on more than anyone else, I
figure I've got as good a platform as any to speak my mind.
"Things change - we all know that - but change for change's
sake, without any cohesive reason, is foolish. Ask any
marketing person: mess with a brand on this type of scale at
your peril.
"I think the most damaging aspect in all of this mess has
been the lack of consultation with any of the fans whom the
Highlanders are supposed to represent. If the [Highlanders]
board wanted a change, they've missed a huge opportunity to
be inclusive.
"Instead, it appears that the board have done the exact
opposite. By not canvassing opinion . . . the board have
unwittingly disenfranchised and excluded the very lifeblood
that they're trying to extract patronage and loyalty from.
"I don't think they could have [messed] this up more if they
had tried," Oliver wrote.
"The only way out of this mess is for Clark [Highlanders
chief executive officer Roger Clark] and co to put their
hands up, say they made a colossal mistake, apologise
unreservedly and put the design of the jersey out to public
tender.
"I think a new jersey could be a wonderful opportunity to
bury the enmity that has existed in the Highlanders between
Otago and Southland once and for all.
"There's been a lot of friction between Otago and Southland
since Super rugby's inception in 1996.
"Otago has no right to treat Southland with the arrogance and
hubris it once did and there's no doubt about that for I was
there and witnessed it first hand.
"As for Southland, the Highlanders' CEO, manager, assistant
coach, captain and half of the team now come from Stag
country. The away strip has changed too, now predominantly
maroon representing Southland's proud province.
"I think the final hurdle for full franchise unity is for
some more maroon to be added in the Highlanders' home jersey
alongside the blue of Otago and the gold of North Otago.
"Once this is done then we as a franchise, and specifically
Southland supporters, have to stop looking at wrongs
committed in the past and start building towards a new
collective future.
"If the troubles in Ireland and Treaty of Waitangi
reparations can be worked through, so can 16 years of
brotherly infighting: it's hard enough playing some of the
best teams in the world let alone scrapping amongst each
other.
"I have read comments saying that the green jersey debate has
been overblown.
"Some things matter and are worth putting your head up over
the parapet and making your opinions heard.
"Get out there and tell the Highlanders' board, in no
uncertain terms, that what they've done isn't good enough:
the public should be telling them what they want, not the
other way around.
They'll listen if the message is loud enough."
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark could not be reached
for comment and Highlanders chairman Ross Laidlaw chose not
to comment.
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