VIP EXPERIENCE
Playing with the Pride of the Nation
“Buck” Shelford, former captain of the All Blacks, the national rugby team of New Zealand, joins you for a Celebration Dinner in Auckland to discuss his rugby career and the significance of the haka.
Story by Wayne “Buck” Shelford
I
grew up in a sporty family in Rotorua, on New Zealand’s uorth island. My mum’s brothers played rugby, my father played, my older brothers played – it’s more unusual in New Zealand that you don’t play. Some people would say it is part of our DNA. As kids we’d think nothing of spending hours travelling to away games – that sort of commitment was in our blood. Rugby arrived in New Zealand in 1870, introduced by British settlers. Before that, the Maori played a ball game not entirely dissimilar to rugby, which might be why we’ve adapted to it so well. North Shore in Devonport, where I coach now, will celebrate its 150th anniversary in three years’ time, so many generations have played here. Before each game, a Ka Mate haka is performed, which is a Maori ceremonial dance. A haka can be performed for many reasons – to mark an achievement or to pay respect to the dead. It is far more than a battle cry, even though that’s how it’s been perceived. Although often misunderstood, the haka is performed with great sincerity and honour. It is a stamp of our identity – of how we do things differently down here. When you visit New Zealand, I’d encourage you to immerse yourself in Maori culture. Many Maori exist with one foot in our culture and one foot in another. You can appreciate the symbols and the body art, but you don’t realise that these tell a story. The art on my wife’s face and body explains her whole genealogy. Maori have rich ties to the world around us and look at the world differently than most western cultures. Rugby opened up the world for me, so I’ll forever be grateful for that. I feel proud to have represented both my culture and country on an international stage. Winning the inaugural World Cup in Eden Park, Auckland was undeniably the highlight of my career. It’s a great honour to have worn the black jersey, and winning in front of a home crowd, where everyone has such passion for the game, is an extraordinary feeling. Related journey: The Long White Cloud, page 144.
JOURNEYS
PAGE
INSPIRING AUSTRALIA
13 DAYS
142
THE LONG WHITE CLOUD
19 DAYS
144
ENDLESS SHORES
8 DAYS
146
SOUTHERN DRIFT
12 DAYS
147
145 141