The fact that they beat NSW aside (Just had to get that in ;) ) Why is there a special team just for Maori? Isn't this racism/discrimination? No other country in the world, AFAIK, has a rugby team that is restricted to people of a certain race and if the shoe was on the other foot, i.e. if only (for lack of a better word) white people were allowed in a team, there would be calls of aparthied and racism. Can anyone else see where I'm coming from?

I'm not interested in a race argument and I don't really care that they have their own team, I just want to know if I'm missing a bigger picture [img]smile.gif[/img]

For anyone that is unfamiliar with what a maori is it is the name given to the indigenous people of NZ.

Its complete crap they should open the team to every race.

Technically, the team is open to any who have at least 1/64th Maori blood, but realistically anyone who wants to nominate for Maori ancestry can do so (unless they are obviously Pakeha or of Islander origin). It's probably one of those things that have been going on for 100 years and nobody's bothered to question or change it. Kiwis in general don't seem to mind (especially when the Maori win). ;)

There have been Australian Aboriginal Cricket teams, and football teams.

An Oz Aboriginal cricket team toured England.

It's important for indiginous identity. We divide nations into subteams based on where you live, or where you were born (state of origin) why not a longer perspective origin?

Nothing wrong with it in my book.

I did not know about the aboriginal teams, I was thinking NZ was unique [img]tongue.gif[/img]
I see your point and you have shown me the bigger picture, thanks Yorick [img]smile.gif[/img]

No worries Downunda! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well wouldnt people through a fit if America started a team that only caucasions wear allowed in?

I agree, what would happen if a team was formed for only those with white skin?

That's what I thought at first too Scholarcs, what Yorick is saying though is that it isn't a team that is based on the colour of your skin but on the origin of your ancestors (The fact that they are usually darker skinned doesn't seem to be the issue)

I still don't think it's fair, as Legolas explained, if a team of "whiteys" tried to use this as an excuse for not including black players they would never get away with it.

hmm...but going by that someone could create a team whose ancestors came from Britain? Now that team would be stamped out pretty quickly, whilst this Maori team is allowed to exist.