“Rugby is a national issue in New Zealand,” said Marcelo Zabaloi

“The spirit of rugby in New Zealand is equal to that of our country with football. Or even more so: one here in Bahia Blanca because of basketball. For them rugby is a national issue because it is deeply rooted in the community from an early age. All schools have their rugby team. A town or country without a rugby team. A school cannot be built.

Argentina rugby team face the All Blacks in the semi-finals of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup next Friday and the sport’s president and writer Marcelo Zabaloi spoke to Diario Deportivo about rugby culture in New Zealand.

In 1999 Jabaloi was affiliated with Christchurch High School Old Boys from the New Zealand city of the same name, the first competition we know today as the Patagonia Cup was initially called the Hugo Porta Cup.

The leader bridged the distance and created a solid bond between people and institutions between El Nacional and Christchurch, which has traveled to our city to play 12 editions of the international rugby tournament (today a multi-sport stadium).

From 4pm on Friday, we will watch the traditional Hakka ceremony ahead of the Pumas-All Blacks clash. As Bahia residents we were lucky enough to watch live before every game Christchurch played in our city.

“They understand it as a sign of respect for an opponent, whether it’s a great competitor or not. But they do it before any person or situation they respect. They usually do it. To give courage or encouragement to that person in a group or any situation,” he explained.

“Everyone is waiting for that moment. They saw it in the Patagonia Cup: the most exciting moment for all the boys playing against Christchurch is facing the Haka,” he added.

Zabaloi also spoke about New Zealand’s presence at the 2023 World Cup in France and their thoughts on the All Blacks’ home country ahead of their semi-final against Las Pumas.

Watch the full interview: