The mystique of the men in black

In life there is a certain mystique and allure of black. For it not only conveys an intrigue, but a subtle majesty and power about it.It can be both sexy and intimidating,comforting or confronting and serene or pervasive.It just has many contexts and many meanings and no one can quite truly describe it accurately. For its a free spirit of the highest order.Then when you think you have it figured it reincarnates.True mystique of the highest order.

In the World of sport this is very true for the men in black.They being the New Zealand Rugby team better known as the All Blacks.This juggernaut of a team from a small sheep filled nation of just over 4 million people has been as dominant a team on the World stage as has been seen in sport.Im not one for figures,but against every other rugby playing Nation they have a winning percentage and for most they have dominated in a way that is rarely seen in team sport.Only South Africa are comparable with them having been slight shaded in contests 55% of the time.Though it’s just them,from the build up to the game to the end…. its just them I tell you!Everything about them is just so symbolic with their colour blackFrom when they enter on the arena with their traditional war dance known as the Haka,which is the word for challenge in Maori.Now if you have 20 odd big men all in black doing this war dance before a match you think one thing.

Big ugly men in black….intimidation…welcome to my funeral…..Though the key is not just this tribal challenge but the fact their adorned in black….Such a entrée to them dismantling you.Would it be the same sense of intimidation if they were dressed in navy blue and red?I doubt it again its all about the BLACKThen there style of play again all the shades of black from the truly sexy of the legendary winger Jon Kirwan running on the outside to run in yet another try with his blistering pace and sublime grace and powerTo the winger with the build of a front rower in Jonah Lomu, not out running opponent to get his try but deciding to run over opponents in a sign of brutal fear and intimidation.Then the shade of black that is cool in the epitome of the ice man in Michael Jones, who was as cool as the other side of the pillow.They are but three of a whole host of stellar stars I could list.Though with the domination that black represent comes the despair that it can slip intoThe highpoint of this was the incredible meltdown to France in the 99 World Cup Semi Final. When leading by 17/10 at the break on the back of a rampant Lomu,but in one of the most incredible rugby matches ever seen France ran out winners 43/31 sending all of New Zealand into all black.

For in the Shaky Isles, Rugby is like what cricket is in India-a true overwhelming obsession!Again even worse in the 2003 World Cup which they truly dominated they were upended in the Semi’s by their mortal enemy.The Aussies 22-10.Now losing in a World Cup to France is bad, but losing to the Aussies. To a Kiwi that would have them crying themselves to sleep at night .Again in the 07 World Cup enter favourites look like a million dollars exit in the quarters to France.So as the 2011 World Cup approaches in New Zealand which shade of the all blacks will we see?The dominating one that wins the tournament or the one that flatters to deceive and incarnates in the black that symbolises despair?

Maybe they should get one of their ex greats symbolic with another shade of black-Religion. Michael Jones to say a few prayers for them and their success!