French ban Westenra from World Cup

[Belinda]

The News tonight www.tv3.co.nz/FrenchbanWestenrafromWorldCup/tabid/209/articleID/33225/Default.aspx

I'm sure the New Zealand Supporters will sing louder than usual
and i hope Hayley still goes to watch.
I wonder will they use Hayley's pre recorded anthem or will they have all anthems sung by one person.

Belinda

[Richard]

Hello Belinda and everybody!

This is a blow, both for Hayley and the All Blacks. Here is a transcript of the article.

French ban Westenra from World Cup

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 06:11p.m.


Hayley Westenra

One of our national treasures will not be singing the national anthem at the rugby world cup this year.

Hayley Westenra was hoping to join the All Blacks in France, and sing the New Zealand anthem at the games.

But the French have said no – they will play pre-recorded anthems instead – and Hayley's parents are heartbroken.

Westenra singing the New Zealand national anthem is certainly something to behold, especially at an All Blacks test match, and especially when they win.

And they always do win when Hayley sings – she has become a bit of a lucky charm.

3 News spoke to Westenra earlier in the year and she said she was looking forward to singing for the All Blacks at the World Cup more than she was looking forward to private performances for the Queen and George Bush.

Westenra’s management in New Zealand are also extremely disappointed - not only is it a real shame for Kiwi fans, but it would have been great exposure for the singer on the world stage.

There are two videos with the story. The first is the news item, and the second is an extended interview with Jill and Gerald.

www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/NationalVideo/tabid/309/articleID/33225/Default.aspx?articleID=33225#video

www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/NationalVideo/tabid/309/articleID/33223/Default.aspx#video

Richard

[grant]

I think that's really sad - Has anyone heard a reason why? Seems strange because Hayley seemed so certain she would be singing, one would have thought it was already arranged and agreed!

We will certaily have to try to cheer her up tomorrow and at Shepherds Bush!

Incidentally, I can't get either of the links to work Scrub that! they work now!!

I've just watched the interview so I guess Hayley's also going to be upset that she won't see her mum now until just before Christmas.

Anyway, thinking about it, I believe this will give the All Blacks even more incentive to win. Instead of Hayley being there for them, I guess 'they' will be doing it for Hayley and I look forward to seeing them trash the opposition. Sorry Stephany, but that includes France!!

Best wishes
Grant

[drew]

The expression sour grapes comes to mind.
Perhaps this would never have been allowed to happen if Stephany had not left the country at the wrong time.

I am sure that there will be several encores for "God Defend New Zealand" at the Empire.

No doubt next month there will be an EEC directive to ban the Haka, despite earlier promises to permit it.

Perhaps we shall now have the privilege of meeting Jill at Dublin, Southampton or Bath before they both return home for Christmas (after her comment at the end of the interview).


PS. Does this apply only to French soil? Would Hayley be allowed to sing live at the two matches in Edinburgh and Cardiff?

PPS. If they are playing a recorded anthem, I sincerely hope that it will be a Hayley recording.

[roger]

Further coverage of this story appears at stuff.co.nz:

French say 'au revoir' to Hayley's anthem
Friday, 24 August 2007

Teenage diva Hayley Westenra will not be singing the national anthem before the All Blacks play in the Rugby World Cup because the French hosts want to use pre-recorded music.

The All Blacks have never lost a game Westenra opened by singing the anthem, TV3 reported. Her father Gerald Westenra said he was very disappointed and the All Blacks' management had been fighting the decision for some time.

"I think it gives them an advantage to be honest. The whole atmosphere of the anthem singing, the haka, is a huge build up before the game. I know it fires the All Blacks up."

He believed the French were trying to reduce the "fire in the belly" of the All Blacks.

- NZPA

Roger

[chrisw]

I wonder if it has anything to do with the French not being able to find anyone who can:

a) sing, and
b) sing their anthem

[loveyou]

Thank very much for the posting.
I lack experience of western culture environments. But I have one of brothers Mr. Jeffrey who came from France and lived in USA. He is a sincere faithful. He gave me a strong impression for cherishing his family, He is a decent husband and also a decent father. So his country earned much respect from me.
The word ¡°ban¡± is too heavy being used here. How could a famous country to ban a girl like Hayley Westenra who try her best to live in a decent way to obey God¡¯s commands to influence other teenager and young people abiding with her. Certainly, Her knowledge & ability need improve more, but we know she is exerting herself in a burdensome status, and there are many decent people who will and are helping her.
Let us pray sincerely to God not let her to burden any burden which she shouldn¡¯t bear!
Let us pray sincerely to God vouchsafe more time and freedom to her to foster a haven for herself!
Let us pray sincerely to God let those teenager and youngling who try their best live in a decent way to obey God¡¯s commands could taste more sweetness from righteousness and not taste bitterness from trap and snare!¡­¡­

[grant]

To my mind this is very bad sportsmanship on behalf of the French Rugby authorities or whatever they call themselves. I think that was what Gerald was trying to say in typical polite Westenra fashion in the interview.

I believe on a previous occasion when the haka was banned from public display, the team performed it in their dressing room. So Hayley should do the same - sing it just for the team, in private, just before the match.

It's at times like this when things go wrong for her that I realise just how importand she is to me and how much I care for her. I've been really down all morning.

I think what probably hurts the most is the fact that she was so 'up' last Friday at Beverley and would appear not to have known about the ban then as I'm sure I heard her talking to someone about "Mum coming over in September" after the concert.

Anyway, I feel better now I've said that. Just want to say "Stephany, we don't blame you! It's them others"!

Best wishes
Grant

[roger]

Hi loveyou,

loveyou said:

The word ¡°ban¡± is too heavy being used here.

Yes, you are quite right. I think the word "ban" should not be taken too seriously. It is just media sensationalism, and their attempt to create an eye-catching headline.

Hayley, like all the other artists who were expecting to appear at the matches, has not been banned. The decision, for whatever reason, has been made not to have live performances but merely recordings of the anthems.

Roger

[Caitlin]

Thanks for the news everyone. It's really a shame, but it was the hosts decision and there really isn't much that can be done. I DO like Grant's suggestion of Hayley singing for them privately before the match

<3 Caite

[loveyou]

Mr. Grant, you feeling to Hayley like a father caring a daughter, I respect your feeling.
but, Mr. Roger's comment may be proper.

[dkeeno]

Its a real shame to hear hayley wont be singing, but at least we still get to see the Haka, and maybe we'll spot Hayley in the crowd cheering them on. From what has been said the recordings will be played at all the world cup matches, wherever they are played, but any other national/international rugby match is not effected by the decision so hopefully we'll hear hayley at a rugby match soon! I think she should be classed as a cultural performance, like the haka, meaning that under the new rugby laws she'll always be able to perform!!

Danny

[grant]

dkeeno said:

I think she should be classed as a cultural performance, like the haka, meaning that under the new rugby laws she'll always be able to perform!!

Danny

Quite right Danny!!

Best wishes
Grant

[starbuck]

If I had my say about the French it would not be nice.
So in respect to Stephany and any others I will keep quiet.
Lets just say I am not suprised.

I feel bad for Hayley as we all do, not so much about the singing,but now she has to wait to see her mom.

I can understand about a sports team, not a national one , but I have a passion for the Detroit Red Wings Hockey team.

So Hayley just have Faith and all will turn out fine.

Good Luck to the All Blacks!!
James
P.S. I have never even seen a rugby match that I know of. LOL

[Joe]

I was sorry to learn of this. It's not about an anthem, it's about culture. The whole world of sport is going downhill. I feel for Hayley and her parents...it's not right. At least, I hope the pre-recorded voice is Hayleys.

Joe