Remember the name, Michael Paterson, rugby fans in New Zealand?
As this post will be travelling to satellites all around the world, those familiar with the Blues of Cardiff, will be intimate with his recent work for this club in the principality of Wales. After an injury plagued initial season with his new club, Paterson has enjoyed plenty of starting time with the Blues, even encouraging thoughts of a higher honour.
It is this context that has peaked this scribe’s mental scab, as catching up on a plethora of Heineken Cup viewing, the Cardiff pack would be introduced in commentary with descriptions about three “kiwi” forwards, in the starting eight. This perspective has also been in play with Paterson, as he has recently been interviewed talking about the potential future call-up into the International scene – in Welsh colours – the latest in a growing “kiwi” collection.
While this is nothing new, encouraging an itch in the hard-to-reach places, it is very much part of the present-to-future, rugby landscape, as this recreational activity takes on an even more distinctive professionalism that further delineates between an old and enduring ideal, and a future contract that individualises how one views their future.
Mention the American sporting context to many in New Zealand, and confusion will reign on their face, as they try to grasp that sporting culture where teams can leave cities because of an owner, and where players leave a long-time destination because of the size of an extensive pay-cheque. Cultural conceptions and questions like the pride of playing for the jersey of a given area or the passion of club and culture seems paradoxically challenged by such American presuppositions, even as this ideal starts to grow in a very young sport in a professional world, such as rugby union.
At the time Paterson decided to leave New Zealand, he was mentioned in the context of a player who had left Aotearoa when a Black jersey was beckoning. Paterson was an industrious player who had the element to his game that elevated his platform – a man who could play Lock and Six – making his proposal more than formal. He would signal his intentions after gaining limited time with the Super successful, Cruaders, walking away from this franchise, in the hope of gaining more time with the Hurricanes. Playing 22 matches between 2007-2009 for the Saders, he would have 13 for the Canes in 2010, indicating both his drive to make a successful career and his willingness to pursue his dream – intentionally.
Given the growing worldview in a rugby community and the limited resources in a New Zealand rugby context, expect to see more players leaving, even before their prime, as this is what ultimately can play their way.
Tim Bateman is a most recent example, who returns to the Hurricanes at the ripe old age of 24. Having played 35 times for the Crusaders and 38 times for Canterbury, before he decided to leave for Japan, playing with the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, since 2010. When you do the math, this marks his passport around the age of 22. Bateman was no dark horse, having made the NZ U19 side in 2005 and 2006, but decided his best move was to leave New Zealand, with an All Black jersey not a firm sign on his horizon. No decision at that age is final, with a couple of years of yen not satisfying visions of home.
Already referenced recently by this scribe is the name, Jared Payne, who is likely the most recent player with the highest “kiwi” profile to walk away. His decision has provided more than a little disappointment when he deemed Ulster as a more suitable future playing home in 2011.
With a new period that marks the time after a Rugby World Cup, his time and form had provided a solid enough base to warrant a likely International ascent. Unfortunately, injury has taken away this first season in Ireland. However, given a continuation of form and place of lodging, expect to hear his name referenced for another nation, as his time of exile comes to be Irish.
These contexts, players decisions, and international openings, are not a seasonal reality, but a growing part of a rugby landscape where players view their sporting past-time as a future career with a distinctive dollar value. In New Zealand this means making all blacks, while in other lands, the proposal is much more realistic.
While the pull, lure, mystique, and cultural significance with the Black jersey remains paramount, the decision to leave home will remain difficult, with many willing to give it another shot. However, for those who remain sober about their prospects, a playing future and the earning capital outside New Zealand will strengthen. As players become more aware of their prospects, and as rugby becomes more structured in how it determines, drafts and develops talent, the future pool of players will begin to better grasp their future stock and will be better prepared to make decisions accordingly.
I am content, and even satisfied when unfulfilled local talent finds success in a foreign field, even as I do not want to conceive of a time when the All Black jersey is sullied into the grey of a distinctive-less appeal.
What Say You?
To gather some greater context of the Michael Paterson account, have a read of the following piece on WalesOnline, which you can find – HERE!
Until Next Time
iamjonnyking
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