Key booed by rugby crowd

Written By: - Date published: 3:21 pm, February 7th, 2016 - 81 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for Photo-ops - Tags: ,

Key refused to go to Waitangi on Friday (likes to talk, doesn’t like to listen).

On Saturday he went to the rugby and went grandstanding in front of the crowd (of course). But it didn’t go as planned. See the video here (15 seconds) – “quite loud boos from the Eden Park crowd” as Gower puts it.

He was also booed at Ratana.

This is going to give his handlers something to think about.

81 comments on “Key booed by rugby crowd ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Sam 1
    7 February 2016 at 3:28 pm

    This is just lame. Key and National have always been disliked by RUGBY LEAGUE fans. There is a difference between a very working class and brown sport in rugby league and the much more elitist and whiter sport of rugby union.

    • simbit 1.1
      7 February 2016 at 3:41 pm

      So he would be cheered at a Highlanders v Chiefs game? Not sure, and bet he isn’t either. They all go in the end…

    • Keith 1.2
      7 February 2016 at 3:43 pm

      Nah, they know a wanker when they see one!

    • McFlock 1.3
      7 February 2016 at 4:51 pm

      He’s always booed at league games, even after the endorsement of Sir Mad Butcher?

      That was almost a Waitangi-level reception as the poser did his wee promenade…

  2. whateva next? 2
    7 February 2016 at 4:03 pm

    and Patrick Gower akshully reported it? wil Key resign over this, if he was thinking of it after the Tea Pot Tape saga, and talked about leaving when the polls indicate his shine is rubbing off (or teflon coat) well…..I am watching this space

    • Whispering Kate 2.1
      7 February 2016 at 5:11 pm

      He could resign after this – his job is over with the TPPA signed, that’s what he was groomed and or singled out for all those years ago, a perfect mole for the US to sell us down the river so they could get hegmony in the Pacific as a counter against China. He has bigger prizes in store for him in payment for this job accomplished. Now all he wants a corporate tea towel for a flag and he will be in clover. He has said he would like to run for another term but knowing how he lies that could have been just spin – its a wonder he doesn’t get dizzy with it all.

    • Pascals bookie 2.2
      7 February 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Hilariously, on the One News report you can see Gower get a slefie with the PM

      Still grab here with a link to the video, selfie grab is at about 2:25

      https://twitter.com/watershitdown/status/695846288403726336

      • miravox 2.2.1
        7 February 2016 at 9:06 pm

        and on the topic of selfies – mr sleaze has not gone away. The woman getting a selfie with the PM seemed to have had a bit more up close and personal than she expected.

        • Jilly Bee 2.2.1.1
          7 February 2016 at 11:12 pm

          My thoughts too miravox – I thought the PM was actually groping her – I was looking to where his hands may have connected. Sheesh, it was gross.

      • whateva next? 2.2.2
        8 February 2016 at 12:39 pm

        I spotted him in the background straight way, bein a bro with his m8

  3. chris73 3
    7 February 2016 at 4:07 pm

    Its finally the proof needed that Kiwis finally agree with the left that John Key is the devil!

    I fully expect that this will lead to National dropping in the polls and Labour triumphantly surging into the thirties

    • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1
      7 February 2016 at 4:12 pm

      Once again, you demonstrate that the only tool in your box is bad faith.

      • chris73 3.1.1
        7 February 2016 at 4:22 pm

        No no you misunderstand me. I really believe that John Key getting booed at the league nines is proof positive that the tide has turned, people now see John Key for what he is

        Its brilliant, this is the fillip the left have been looking for, in fact I wouldn’t be at surprised if theres going to be a coup in National soon because, as everyone knows, when you get booed at the league (which is the most tribal National supporters you could ever find) its all over

        I’m calling it now, the left will win the next election and it all started when John Key was booed at the league nines competition

  4. mac1 4
    7 February 2016 at 4:36 pm

    When was a NZ Prime Minister last booed by a sizeable sports crowd, by the way?

    Googling of NZ PM’s being booed elicits references to Key’s being booed was by demonstrators at demonstrations (which might be expected), his being booed at last year’s gay pride day and the recent events. Was he booed at the World Cup at the award ceremony? No reference to be found of other NZ PM’s being booed though references for other PMs were cited for Abbott, as Australian PM, and the Turkish PM.

    • Matthew Hooton 4.1
      8 February 2016 at 7:03 am

      I remember Bolger getting booed by the Eden Park crowd in the 1990s, at a rugby game. Can’t remember if it was before he won the 1993 and 1996 elections. Note that was a rugby crowd not a league crowd so probably worse for Bolger than this was for Key.

      • mac1 4.1.1
        8 February 2016 at 9:56 am

        Thanks, Matthew Hooton. You’re right. In 1996 Eden Park four minutes after the Blues beat Natal, Bolger was booed.

        The 1996 Budget had just been announced and Auckland MP Ross Robertson comments in the House, “Forty-eight hours after having this Budget delivered in this House ……….James Bolger was given the sort of roasting he deserved for failing to release the imagination of ordinary New Zealanders.”

        In a year he was gone, rolled by Shipley, for talking soft on poverty.

        The point is that it’s difficult to find instances of Kiwis booing the PM except at political rallies or demonstrations. When it happened to Bolger, he was soon given the boot. This booing by a sports crowd is indicative of something bigger than what words like ‘League, brown and working class.” can excuse.

        At the World Cup in 2011 Key was groaned at. Now he’s being booed at sports events, less than forty eight hours after announcing hypocritically that he won’t front up at Waitangi.

        Now, what will happen in 2017, vis-a-vis Bennett or Collins? Who will be the Queen maker as it was with Tony Ryall and Shipley? Is National going to try and have its first woman Prime Minister actually elected to the office?

        • North 4.1.1.1
          8 February 2016 at 9:39 pm

          Thank you very much for your excellent fact check on Matthew’s bullshit there Mac1. God he’s such a bad little person, for a lie that’s not a lie…..sort of thing. Incorrigible !

      • red-blooded 4.1.2
        8 February 2016 at 11:55 am

        Why is it such a big deal that it was a rugby league event? The first commenters said, “This is just lame. Key and National have always been disliked by RUGBY LEAGUE fans. There is a difference between a very working class and brown sport in rugby league and the much more elitist and whiter sport of rugby union,” and now you comment in a similar way. Is it OK to have “brown” and “less elite” fans disaffected and booing? Is it “lame” to care about the opinions of these people?

        Yes, I know that this probably wasn’t Key’s usual voter base, and heaven forbid that non-brown elites should be offended: that really WOULD be something for Key to worry about, but I think it’s perfectly reasonable for people on this site to care about the people at this event who obviously felt so offended and disaffected with Key. After all, we need everyone who doesn’t identify with the direction of Key and co to care enough to organise and to get out and vote.

  5. marty mars 5
    7 February 2016 at 4:47 pm

    “quite loud boos” indeed

    imo he would have been told and was expecting fawning claps – after all these are the people he is trying to reach as mrmiddle – alas as with TPPA signing, as with Waitangi the keyster’s advice is slipping, badly, for him – oh, yay

  6. Dazzer 6
    7 February 2016 at 5:09 pm

    For goodness sake, what would Waitakere Man think about that. Someone at that Standard can’t even differentiate between rugby and league.

    Given that this was Helen Clark’s core constituency and she was a dedicated Warriors fan, it’s hardly surprising.

    • sabine 6.1
      7 February 2016 at 6:47 pm

      Helen Clark? The Helen Clark that left the building 8 years ago, is the reason why Dear Leader was not handwaited on at a rugby game?

      Really?

      it’s Aunty Helens constituency? I thought it was the home of westy crap leopard print Pulls’her Bennefitt Paula Bennet, MP National Party?

      fucksake, can we have better National Bots. Maybe the National Party should increase the wage for its 101st Keyboard brigade. It feels like they are not pulling their weight? Wonder if they are gonna meet their KPI’s?

      • Dazzer 6.1.1
        7 February 2016 at 7:08 pm

        FFS Stop showing a. your ignorance and b. how disconnected people here are from the real world.

        It’s a rugby league event, not a rugby event. If you don’t understand the difference constituencies between a rugby crowd and a league crowd, your parents shouldn’t let you on the interweb unsupervised.

        You don’t need to worry about people on the other side shooting at you when you’re knocking yourself out with friendly fire.

        No wonder the working class is deserting Labour.

        • sabine 6.1.1.1
          7 February 2016 at 7:33 pm

          this working class labour supporter can’t give a flying fudge about men running after an oval ball. In fact i can’t think about a more boring game ……but yeah…..bwhahahahahahahahah youse funny dear.

        • te reo putake 6.1.1.2
          7 February 2016 at 8:08 pm

          Weirdly, Dazzer, you’ve just spotted the mistake Key’s handler’s made. They thought there was no difference between rugby and league. Turns out league fans are a bit more in touch with real life and don’t mind letting Key know what they really think about him. It’s a great wake up call for someone used to being immune from criticism.

          PS, it’s also a cultural marker of how irrelevent rugby union is becoming in NZ. It’s not the national sport anymore, except we keep being told it is by advertisers and the media.

          • Dazzer 6.1.1.2.1
            7 February 2016 at 8:54 pm

            @TRP not sure I am as weird as you think but I’ll take that as a compliment.

            I would be surprised if they thought they wouldn’t have considered they would get a reaction of sorts. As I said, it’s no secret that Helen was a mad Warriors fan and league in AK has always been a south Auckland stronghold. Interestingly, league was also traditionally exceptionally strong on the West Coast hence my comments re the links between league and Labour.

            Another interesting point too. I suspect rugby is still the national sport – as in the sport that has the strongest national support. I was flying out of Wellington at the time of the WC final and you would have been in no doubt that there was strong support for the game. That said, I agree that it is no longer the dominant cultural force it once was – and I think is some respects it’s actually helped rugby become less arrogant and more inclusive. For example, the last 10 years have marked a return to humility and respect as opposed to the arrogance and closed minds of the past.

            I suspect all politicians are used to getting criticism tho. You have to admire them all for putting up with BS that comes with the job. i couldn’t for one.

            • ropata 6.1.1.2.1.1
              7 February 2016 at 9:01 pm

              “you have to admire them all”

              get off the grass mate.
              sucking up to the powerful is bad for the moral fibre.
              give them heaps

          • Reddelusion 6.1.1.2.2
            7 February 2016 at 10:13 pm

            To be fair also saw key attracting a lot of positive attention and selfies

            • maui 6.1.1.2.2.1
              7 February 2016 at 11:18 pm

              Well he is the PM, if people just ignored him then we really would be in trouble. I’m guessing too even the ozzie media put a positive spin on Abbott by showing selfies and handshakes.

        • ropata 6.1.1.3
          7 February 2016 at 8:59 pm

          If you think a small oversight in a blog post is more significant than the fact that FJK was publicly booed and embarrassed then I am surprised, I guess that’s what you need to reinforce your cognitive bias huh?

        • miravox 6.1.1.4
          7 February 2016 at 9:00 pm

          rugby league, rugby union… meh, pedant.

          • chris73 6.1.1.4.1
            7 February 2016 at 9:07 pm

            Well in the context of John Key getting booed it is rather important, I mean John Key getting booed at the Rugby League = no big deal but John Key getting booed at an All Blacks test…well that’d mean something

            • Reddelusion 6.1.1.4.1.1
              7 February 2016 at 10:19 pm

              Len brown was booed last time , go figure he was a darling albeit fallen angle of the left

              I think most politicians get booed at these events irrespective of left or right, sports is seen as escapism you don’t want to be reminded of politics

            • North 6.1.1.4.1.2
              8 February 2016 at 9:53 pm

              Yeah, like that’ll happen when Richie gets a restraining order under the Harassment Act. For the stalking round the changing sheds. Like couldn’t happen otherwise. No one in ‘decent’ society would boo John. Eden Park wouldn’t. Hang on it was Eden Park ! “Honest John” as Fizzy Anus divines him. It couldn’t be people finally giving voice to their silent gut sense – “This guy’s a fuck’n’ fake ! Much closer to voting next time that person. Not gonna vote for the fake. Very possibly didn’t vote at all last time.

          • Dazzer 6.1.1.4.2
            7 February 2016 at 9:13 pm

            Not at all. I am clearly surprised at how many hear don’t understand how entwined league and Labour have been. That many here think there’s no difference simply underlines my point. That it is someone from the other side of the fence pointing this out – more so.

            League’s stronghold in NZ has traditionally been south Auckland, parts of working class Chch, ditto wellington (especially Wainuiomata) and the West Coast.

            • miravox 6.1.1.4.2.1
              7 February 2016 at 9:30 pm

              Rugby can be shorthand for league as well as union. Someone using that shorthand doesn’t deserve that pedantic abuse. Anywhere else in the world, except maybe South Africa, that would have passed with a touch of understanding.

              I’m also quite aware of the socio-political links of the sport. Unlike you, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to conclude there is not a large socio-political-economic crossover in the crowds but.

            • locus 6.1.1.4.2.2
              7 February 2016 at 9:34 pm

              oh dear…. league equals Labour and working class….

              and this is what…. your 101 framing to suggest that booing a detested PM at a league match is therefore only left wing opinion…. ?

              and that what….. working class, or critics of the PM, or Labour supporters don’t go to All Black tests?

              patronising, judgemental and insulting…..

              • chris73 …
                7 February 2016 at 9:47 pm

                Deny all you like but League has traditionally been strongest in working class areas whereas union (in NZ anyway) is more egalitarian

                Look at where League was strongest: on the West Coast with miners (not a lot of love for National there), South Auckland, working class suburbs of Christchurch and Wellington

                I would bet any amount of money that John Key would get more boos at a league test then he would at a union test or a NRL game vs a super game

                I realise that you would like the narrative to be John Key is unpopular everywhere but its really only among the left and the league also happens to be strongest among the left

                • swordfish …
                  7 February 2016 at 10:46 pm

                  Key currently averaging 39% in Colmar Brunton and Reid Research Preferred PM Polls, lowest average since becoming PM. Well down on his heyday.

                  Put another way, more than 60% of New Zealanders do not favour Key as PM.

                  • chris73 …
                    7 February 2016 at 10:51 pm

                    I expect there’ll be a lift for Key in the next few polls so he’ll be back over 40 again and closer to 50 I’d expect

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      7 February 2016 at 11:06 pm

                      Fluffing Judith Collins and spreading for The Prime Minister all at the same time.

                      Never let it be said that Christopher is inflexible.

                    • swordfish …
                      7 February 2016 at 11:10 pm

                      Unlikely, he’s been on a downward trajectory for quite some time now.

                      But, they do say that wishful thinking – particularly, it seems, among diehard Tories like your good self – can stimulate the reward response system in the ventral tegmental area of the brain. So, you know, for you Christopher it’s always gonna be a win-win situation.

                    • chris73 …
                      7 February 2016 at 11:28 pm

                      Well swordfish I guess I could make a comment about Labours wishful thinking, like wishing Andrew Little could take Labour back to the days of David Shearers popularity

                      Or wishing that Little was even close to John Key in popularity

                      Or wishing that the next poll will see National drop in popularity due to the TPPA and Waitangi

                      But something about wishing in one hand and crapping in the other springs to mind

                      So if 60% don’t want John Key how many don’t want Little or Peters or the Greens

                • red-blooded …
                  8 February 2016 at 12:14 pm

                  You use the word “egalitarian” is a strangely counter-intuitive way in your comment above, Chris73. I’m pretty sure sweet little rich kids aren’t denied the opportunity to participate in league; it’s not like the costs are too high or the teams refuse to train them. If a group of people choose not to participate in something, that doesn’t make it unegalitarian. More people in NZ drink coffee than tea, but that doesn’t make it more egalitarian.
                  http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/graph/23006/coffee-and-tea-consumption

              • Dazzer …
                7 February 2016 at 10:07 pm

                Locus you miss my point on two levels. As a number have said, it’s little surprise that there was a larger element at Eden Park today who booed Key. TRP seemingly accepts this point – as the background I gave supports, there are very very strong historical links. So it’s not framing, patronising, judgemental, nor insulting.

                The broader point that I think a few will acknowledge but not openly is that it is telling how much many here reflect the new “activist” left rather than the traditional strengths. I can guarantee that no self respecting leaguie would tolerate the lack of delineation between league and rugby. it is less so in NZ but in Oz and England but it still exists.

                As i said, what is most stunning is that it’s a couple of RWNJ who are pointing this out.

                There is another analogy about the Bolsheviks and Menshiviks and in particular the origin and meaning of their names. However, I don’t get the feeling my entertaining and informative history lessons are being appreciated the way they should.

                • locus …
                  7 February 2016 at 10:59 pm

                  you both avoided my observations on your framing …that the PM is only getting criticism from people you are trying to label as Labour and working class

                  and now you’re highlighting my points by continuing the framing and embellishing it with a remark that reveals how you set yourself above others

                  i thought i was pretty clear…

                  patronising, judgemental and insulting….

                • ropata …
                  7 February 2016 at 11:03 pm

                  FFS mate everyone knows the difference between league and union, your pedantry and silly finger wagging adds nothing

                  • s y d …
                    8 February 2016 at 10:38 am

                    look, he got booed by the crowd and had to retreat to the corporate box for anyone to give him the time of day.
                    Even then a lot the punters in the background had a good smirk.
                    the guys a total fake.

                • North …
                  8 February 2016 at 9:33 pm

                  Even if you’re right Dazzer…..people are now doing it ! Didn’t happen before, even in places where obviously he was a fish out of water. Like Election 2014 in South Auckland. Where incredibly he smarmed in then started yelling “Polys Love Me !” Accompanied by his fiapalagi Sam and Alfred, embarrassed.

                  I’d like to see some links to verify that Helen Clark was serially booed at sports events. I doubt she ever visited the Remuera Northern Slopes Croquet Club (est. 1894).

  7. Rodel 7
    7 February 2016 at 7:38 pm

    Gower couldn’t help finish with “It happened to Helen Clark as well”. has to placate his media master or he won’t get interviews.

  8. North 8
    7 February 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Predicted yesterday that Shaun Johnson would be Key’s next sporting hero target. Was wrong. Joseph Parker the man. Cringe to see Key doing the ‘street greet’ with the said.

    • Reddelusion 8.1
      7 February 2016 at 10:20 pm

      Jealousy, let it go, people just like the guy and he is not the monster you portray or want him to be , build a bridge

      • sabine 8.1.1
        7 February 2016 at 10:49 pm

        if he is that good, than people would applaud and not boo him. As for bridges, would they be one or two laned ones? I think the National Party and its Leader have a few issues with bridges especially in Northland.

        • chris73 8.1.1.1
          7 February 2016 at 10:53 pm

          Don’t worry about it Uncle Winnies going to sort those bridges out

          • McFlock 8.1.1.1.1
            7 February 2016 at 10:57 pm

            Yep.
            It takes other parties to make good on the promises of the National party: bridges, economic management, home ownership…

            • chris73 8.1.1.1.1.1
              7 February 2016 at 11:18 pm

              Yet Nationals looking good for a fourth (and dare I say fifth…) term so the publics still not buying what they left are selling

              • McFlock …
                7 February 2016 at 11:33 pm

                🙄

                Yep – gravitas, dignitas, integritas: none of it counts as long as you can con a third of the electorate /sarc

          • sabine 8.1.1.1.2
            7 February 2016 at 11:30 pm

            Well considering that National did sweet fuck all up north other than produce a law and order man under name suppression, one can understand why Northlanders would rather have Winston Peters work for them.

        • Reddelusion 8.1.1.2
          8 February 2016 at 3:21 pm

          Sabine most politicians of any persuasion get booed at these events , simply for interfering in thier day out, it’s simply part of the fun like a Mexican wave, I would not read to much into it or raise your hopes it is the demise of honest John

          • mac1 8.1.1.2.1
            9 February 2016 at 10:19 am

            If you google booing of politicians at events, reddelusion, as I did for another thread’s discussion, (above at 4.1.1) you will find very little mention. I’d have to call you on your assertion, there.

      • Skinny 8.1.2
        7 February 2016 at 11:23 pm

        The Tories are in a jam over selling Kiwis out to corporations.

        Easy enough to setup a fantastic Friday special for each and everyone of their MP’s. A chorus of booing and chants not a problem, all waving the current New Zealand flag. Yes another string to the bow. 🙂

      • North 8.1.3
        8 February 2016 at 10:01 pm

        As a resident of the North and a beneficiary of the promise of ten bridges win or lose the ball is in the court of your friends Delusion. Foolish of you to introduce the word.

  9. NZSage 9
    8 February 2016 at 10:10 am

    And at the end of that report dutiful Gower sticks to the National script of “Labour did it too”.

    That’s the first time I’ve watched a report by the new TV3 “Newshub”. Clearly nothing has changed and it’s still same old Gower garbage and crap TV3 news coverage.

  10. Grim 10
    8 February 2016 at 2:34 pm

    National in damage control, flooding social media with their meat-puppets,

    without fail whenever something slips through their media control.

  11. SaveOurNix 11
    8 February 2016 at 7:46 pm

    If the Prime Minister was to be introduced at an All Blacks match this year, it will be interesting what the crowd reaction will be then. I was at the Rugby World Cup final in Auckland back in 2011 and when Key was introduced at the post-match presentation, he got a rousing reception from the crowd. After hearing that response, I thought to myself that Phil Goff was toast- given that the general election was just around the corner at that time.

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