Opinion: All Whites give rugby a nudge

The t-shirts the All Whites donned as they did their victory lap around the Cake Tin in Wellington said it all - white is the new black.

That catchphrase seemed even more appropriate as I sat in a doctor's waiting room listening to two elderly gentlemen discuss the demise of rugby.

They mused on what rugby was like in their day, with a bigger oval ball (that couldn't be held with one hand unless you were Colin Meads) and heel-hacking the ground for place kicks.

Ah, those were the good ole days.

The essence of their conversation was that rugby may be losing its grip on the New Zealand sporting pedestal due to strong competition.

It is the pick'n'mix season with regards to the range of sports on offer as the winter and summer codes clash and that is the risk rugby takes with an extended season.

It just so happened that on Saturday night all the football codes were vying for centre stage.

Unfortunately for league, the Kiwis didn't make the Four Nations final, so there was little interest in the one-sided competition between the Poms and Oz.

Members of the second-string All Black side had an opportunity to amaze the coaches with their flair, skill and brilliance, but the scrum-infested match was difficult for even a front-rower like myself to endure.

In terms of portraying a world-class brand in front of more than 80,000 passionate Italian spectators, rugby took a few backward steps (a bit like the All Black scrum).

So the scene was set for football to shine, and shine it did.

One try in a rugby match is considered a boring, lacklustre game, but one goal in football is heart-in-your-mouth exhilarating.

Everything about the event made for a brilliant spectacle - the 35,000 spectators wearing (or waving) white T-shirts, the players giving everything on the pitch, the great header from Rory Fallon, complete with father-son story to connect this team with the only other New Zealand team to achieve this outcome, the brilliant save by Mark Paston, the colourful language used by an emotional Herbert and the roar of satisfaction from everyone (including myself) when the 27-year drought was broken.

All of these pieces create a story that has given football a huge boost in the minds and hearts of New Zealanders.

The person working at Football New Zealand who suggested the players wear tongue-in-cheek shirts saying white is the new black should be given a well-done pat on the back.

My concern that rugby has lost some ground over the weekend was confirmed when I overhead those two old rugby heads talking about rugby versus football while waiting for the doctor to check their prostate.

Should the New Zealand Rugby Union be worried?

Perhaps, but as a New Zealander I am stoked that other sports get their time in the sun.

New Zealand demographics are changing and, as a result, the leisure preferences of New Zealanders are also changing.

Diversity and competition are good for us.

Rugby union will always have a historical hold on New Zealand's cultural identity and heritage and that will never change.

The NZRU's desire to globalise the All Black brand, however, may backfire on them.

While they're away wooing Italian and Asian audiences, the All Whites are in the Cake Tin giving the performance that captures the imagination and hearts of New Zealanders (and getting $10 million for their efforts).

New Zealand Football has a chance to take this cash bonus, media focus, and public attention and build pathways, resources and opportunities for future generations who want to play the beautiful game.

More specifically, the All Whites have a chance to bask in the glory and create national heroes while this small opening in the black cloud stays open.

I'm enjoying the change in outlook and I might have to visit my in-laws in South Africa in June or July next year to celebrate.