Interview with Imanol Martínez

We can say that New Zealand's popularity over the world is due to its national rugby team: All Blacks
I interviewed a rugby player to get to know this phenomenon better.

1) How important is rugby in New Zealand?
    It is very important as it is considered national sport and it joins together New Zealanders, just as the Spanish soccer selection did at the last World Championship of Soccer.

2) Do you think this is a dangerous sport?
    Rugby is not more dangerous than any other sport of contact. Every sport, the ones with contact specially, makes the players be at risk of being injured. We, rugby players, spend lot of the training time strengthening our bodies at the gym not only with the objective of wining strength, but to improve our physical condition so that we avoid injuries. Unfortunately, the majority of the injuries are caused in the head (specially in the neck) and also in the shoulders. I could ensure that more than the half of the injuries happens due to the contact between the players and the rest of them, due to hits when falling.


3) Which is your position when playing?
    Ok, before telling my position, I should explain that in the traditional rugby, two general positions can be distinguished. The forwards, also known as the fats ( with no offense, it's just because they are usually the heaviest and strongest players of the team) and the backs or three-quarters, which must be as fast and skillful as possible. Between the front players, we identify the first line composed by two props and one hooker. These players must be strong and heavy. Then, there is a second line in which two players with good physical presence and a good jumping technique play. And finally, there is a third line in which we can find the commonly known “eighth”, protected by two “flankers”. This position, the “eighth”, is my position, and it is my objective to open space in the contrary defense and be intelligent and intimidating, but always with a good self-control.

4) Does it creates mass movement in New Zealand?
    And not only in New Zealand! It is a very influential sport in Australia too and this generates a big competition between both countries. One of the factors which makes rugby be the national sport in this country is the mass of people that follow this sport league supporting the different teams.

Photo taken by Kiwi Flickr

5) Would you say that it is an important factor of the tourism of New Zealand?
    Absolutely. Besides the landscape wich attracts people to this country, the rugby is another relevant factor  of the tourism which we should bear in mind. Lot of people go to New Zealand to watch good rugby.

6) What position holds this country in the world clasification?
   The "All Blacks" (the national team of New Zealand), is the best team all over the world having won once the World Championship and 9 times the championship of the "tri nations".

7) What is the "Haka"?
    It is the dance that the "All Blacks" dance before each match to reivindicate their culture and to intimidate the opponent.


8) Does the "Haka" influence New Zealanders? If so, how?

   It influences hugely to people from New Zealand as it has its origins in a maori dance and it makes people feel identificated with the nation.