Shaky Isles Still the Best at One Code

The New Zealand Warriors' gallant run through the National Rugby League finals playoff matches ended this past weekend with a 32-6 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles. Qualifying for the matches as the eighth and lowest seed, the Warriors fell just one match short of the final--the best finish ever for an eighth seed in the current system.

Although the Warriors' strong run seems to have boosted their following in New Zealand, its end will no doubt have all attention back on the Kiwis' favorite code. We've talked before of rugby union's proportionally massive following in New Zealand, and it's been rewarded lately with success. Americans who don't follow rugby may be more familiar with other ambassadors from the smaller nation, but the New Zealand All Blacks have been so successful over their history that they are a key national icon, though they have had suprisingly bad luck in bringing home World Cup wins--a fact not missed by All Blacks detractors. Now, they hold the top spot in the International Rugby Board world rankings, have just clinched a fourth straight Tri-Nations title, and will be the side to beat as the tour Europe in the coming months.

That ought to take some of the sting out of the Warriors' loss, also shedding a bit of light on why it's hard for rugby league to gain a foothold in the land of the All Blacks.

This video shares a few moments from the All Blacks' storied history:



Meanwhile, as the Warriors bow out of the 2008 NRL season, here's one of their greatest moments from a memorable year (if you're in a hurry, the excitement starts about 3 minutes and 30 seconds into it):