Proud To Be A Kiwi

As New Zealand rugby league is still basking in the warmth of their historic Tri-Nations victory on the weekend, and with the victor's trophy casting a very long shadow over their Australian counterparts, it seems only fitting that I should find myself writing about patriotism and national pride. Only days after it was discovered that Kiwis can not only fly but soar, with years of past heartache on the international scene suddenly seeming worth the joy of broken records, the weather to the East of the Tasman Sea appears a lot more inviting than it did during the previous few weeks.

And the records are many: the first time Australia has been kept scoreless since they lost 18-0 to the Kiwis in Wellington in 1985; the first time Australia has lost a series since they were beaten 2-1 by France in 1978; the first time New Zealand has beaten Australia in a test series since 1953; the equal largest winning margin by New Zealand over Australia in rugby league test history, having previously beaten them 49-25 in Brisbane in 1952.

But it was another record - or, rather, the record holder - that inspired me to write this article. Ruben Wiki extended the record for the most international caps by an individual in rugby league history. His man of the match performance in the Tri-Nations final was his fiftieth in a test career that spans as far back as 1994. He is the quintessential leader of men, wearing his heart on his sleeve and feeling the pain of four million fans for every mistake he or a team member makes. He is always exerting every last bit of energy within his body to push his team towards the opposition try line. He is the first to take control in the team huddle following the team conceding a try, instructing the players on what to do and giving them the motivation to carry out the task with absolute precision.

But more than all of that, he inspires. And it isn't just his fellow team members that he inspires. It is every dedicated New Zealand rugby league fan. His actions and words reveal a man born to be a leader, a maturity and humility not often seen on the sports field in the modern era. In Maoridom, what he possesses is referred to as 'mana' - he commands respect simply by who he is as a person and as a leader. Opposition players respect him, as do those who are fortunate enough to play alongside him. And his passion for his country is what drives him.

In the first brief moments after the final whistle of the shock victory against Australia in the Tri-Nations final, Ruben Wiki was in tears. The man referred to as 'Jake the Muss', in reference to the tough and staunch character played by Temuera Morrison in Once Were Warriors and What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted, couldn't help but shed a tear. And how did he explain his emotional release? He simply said: "History is sweet, mate."

In the eyes of Ruben Wiki, history is sweet because, for at least the next twelve months, the Tri-Nations trophy is safe at the New Zealand Rugby League headquarters. And it was Wiki, Captain Fantastic himself, who lead from the front, inspiring the other Kiwis and simply refusing to take a backward step. His statistics must have been envied by every other player on the field: 196 metres gained with three offloads and no errors from 24 hitups in attack, and 26 tackles with only one missed tackle on defense.

As an onlooker, it seems obvious to me that Ruben Wiki will be sorely missed when he does eventually decide to hang up his boots. His kava drink seems to have lengthened his playing career somewhat, enabling him to make quick recoveries from injuries. The man known as Jake the Muss sets an example for players of both sides every time he steps on the field, and the loss of his leadership will leave a huge void in the Kiwis squad. But that's a concern for the future. For now, the man is on top of the world, and he doesn't look like he'll be slowing down any time soon. And for this awe filled fan, that seems like more than enough to think about for the time being.

Yes, Rubes, history is sweet.