New Zealanders - the ultimate Rugby philistines?

New Zealanders claim to love rugby more than women, beer or life itself. But set aside the fixation with the All Blacks for a moment, and you'll find that the average Kiwi has little passion for club rugby compared to equivalent football fans from around the world. The reason is simply that a firm grip is kept on rugby by the national association. They don't hesitate to create transient entities such as the Super 14 clubs if they think they can squeeze more dollars out of fans or TV companies.

This leaves your average punter being expected to support different clubs depending on the time of year. The resultant emotional detachment has resulted in rugby becoming a mere cultural backdrop, much like the TV being left on when guests come round because the hosts are worried they have nothing worthwhile to converse about.

Cricket is getting a timely kick up its nationalist arse at present thanks to Indian Twenty20. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be the same pent up demand for rugby in any of the mega-rich or mega-populous countries that would trigger a similar avalanche of player and club power.