November 28, 2015
Jonah and Tikanga
Jonah and Tikanga
WILLIE JACKSON
There’s probably not much more I can add regarding the tragic death of the first and probably only global rugby superstar Jonah Lomu. I agree with everything that has been said, that he was the most influential magnificent and sensational attacking force that the rugby world has ever seen.
And of course as well as that Jonah was a fabulous human being, caring, humble, sensitive – he really was something else. And being a wonderful human being and great sportsman doesn’t always go hand in hand, but there’s no doubt that Jonah Lomu was the exception.
Like so many other people around the country I knew Jonah personally, we weren’t bosom buddies or anything like that but I met him when he was only eighteen and did one of his first ever radio interviews on our national Maori radio station Aotearoa Radio.
I’ll never forget how shy Jonah was in fact if I was being honest I’d have to say it was one of the worst interviews I’ve ever done mainly because he was so humble and felt so uncomfortable talking about himself.
However I could see then what sort of person he was going to turn out to be, he was so well mannered and was always conscious about doing the appropriate thing. In Maori culture we call it Tikanga which means in a general sense "the right way of doing things" and Jonah Lomu was an expert in that area.
What a shame the New Zealand Rugby Union have no idea of what I’m talking about. The announcement that All Black captain Ritchie McCaw was retiring barely 24 hours after the death of Jonah, was one of the most insensitive and disrespectful actions I have ever witnessed. And yes I know I am probably showing disrespect to the great McCaw but sometimes things have just got to be said.
Although McCaw was very generous and respectful with his praise of Lomu the question has to be asked why was it so imperative for the retirement announcement to take place so soon after Lomu’s death. I mean it wasn’t like Ritchie had just died, he wasn’t going anywhere so why couldn’t the announcement have been delayed till after Jonahs funeral?
That’s what knowing about Tikanga is all about and sure Ritchie probably made the final call however I would prefer to blame the Rugby Union who through the years have been constantly ignorant of Tikanga best exemplified by their shabby treatment of Pacific Island and Maori rugby. As well who will ever forget their silly All Black team announcement at Parliament and the snub of Dunedin people who were not given a parade when the boys came back with the World Cup.
There should have been some leadership shown here, I’m sure Ritchie would have put the whole thing off if there had of been a quiet word given to him from the Rugby Union senior management.
But maybe that would have been too much to expect from a union that wouldn’t know what the meaning of Tikanga was and took unnecessary focus off the death of the great Jonah Lomu.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com