French ban Westenra from World Cup

[roger]

joe said:

I hope the pre-recorded voice is Hayleys.

Hi Joe,

I have been hoping the same thing all day. We don't know if it will be Hayley's voice or not but I have a horrible feeling that it may not be. We shall have to wait and see.

Roger

[martindn]

The anthem singing before international rugby matches is a part of the tradition of the game, and something I look forward to, especially if it is NZ v Wales! It is a huge pity that the French have vetoed it. But what recordings will they play? If the teams are allowed to provide them, they could still record Hayley and play it.
I now personally hope the French get knocked out in the first round. I don't expect England, the current world champions, to win it this time, and I hope if they can't that the All Blacks do it.
Hayley has my sympathy. I am less likely to watch the matches on TV, knowing that Hayley won't be singing.

[Dori]

That is SOOOOOOOO unfair!!!!! That would have been the only reason why i would watch the Rugby World Cup!!! How could they do this??
I'm so mad....
Dori

[ron]

I dont think there will be any voice on the French recording.
It will just be an orchestral version but it will be drowned by the crowd as there will be not be anyone like Hayley to hold their attention.
Dont think the French wiil stop the Haka!
Ron

[roger]

Hi Ron,

You may well be right in saying it will be an orchestral version. Somehow, to have a recording of any singer seems to defeat the point of refusing them to appear personally.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

Roger

[thomas]

starbuck said:

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.

Please let's not overreact at this point!!! This decision was made by the officials and not by France generally. I'm sure many French will regret this decision as well because that means that nobody will sing any anthem live, not even the French one.

But I also don't understand this decision. This is a World Cup!!! and not some kind of local championship. There must be some kind of show around the matches and a live sung anthem belongs to that. There'll be world-class teams playing rugby so there must be a world-class show with a world-class organisation.
I agree with Gerald that the officials don't like to build up the All Blacks. On the other hand that means that there won't be a French anthem as well so they even don't build up their own team. Strange, isn't it?? Perhaps they just want to save money and don't want to employ too many singers to make the organisation easier ... who knows?

I like Grant's idea as well that Hayley could sing the anthem just for the All Blacks prior to the match, although I wonder if it might be possible. But it's a nice thought.

Hayley might not see her mum now before December. That's very sad!

Thomas

[roger]

The same story appears on RugbyHeaven.co.nz. The text is exactly the same as we have already seen, but this version contains a photograph which I post in a desperate attempt to cheer up Dori!

It's that dress again!

Roger

[grant]

roger said:

Roger

Now we have a colour picture of this dress, it's clear to see that it is very different. Obviously one that Hayley left at home in New Zealand!

I like it though!

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

roger said:

Hi Ron,

You may well be right in saying it will be an orchestral version. Somehow, to have a recording of any singer seems to defeat the point of refusing them to appear personally.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

Roger

I've been thinking along those lines as well. Trouble is, what countries National Anthem is going to have any impact without words!? That's the whole point isn't it?

There's another line of thought here too! Whilst we know that Hayley singing for the "All Blacks" spurs them to victory BUT I also think that Hayley's presence and voice has a calming effect so the team only go out onto the field to win. Heaven help their opponents without that calming influence.

I'm not one to make predictions but did someone suggest France gets knocked out in the first round. That would be some cumuppance!!

Best wishes
Grant

[roger]

Hi Grant,

Playing orchestral versions may not matter quite as much as you think. The crowd would probably sing along just the same.

grant said:

I'm not one to make predictions but did someone suggest France gets knocked out in the first round. That would be some cumuppance!!

Be careful, Stephany has moderating powers!

Roger

[grant]

roger said:

Be careful, Stephany has moderating powers!

Roger

I feel sorry for Stephany. She's going to come back to all this 'anti-French' feeling when it's really only the rugby officials that we're mad at.

I'm sure she'll realise that it aint her that we're mad at and that we still love her really

Best wishes
Grant

[scoobedoo]

Hi everyone,

heh heh heh Stephany might be the proverbial meat in the sandwich if the feelings here is anything to go by

But yeah, disappointing news but then in some ways as been mentioned on this thread before,not really surprising.

I reckon this was decided sometime ago but left it until now to release their decision. I can understand there being recorded anthems for the(shall I say) minor playoffs in the groups leading up to the semi finals. But I think live artist of the countries involved in the semi finals and of course the grand final should be live music accordingly.

This could yet happen as Gerald mentioned public pressure could possibly sway things around,here's hoping that is the case.

We will have to see what happens

cheers,

Rodders CH CH NZ

[Ross]

I only found out when I read todays Christchurch Press and I am very disappointed with the french ( except for Stephany of course). This will make the All blacks very upset and even more likely to win the World cup now.

[Dave]

Now I was about to post in defence of this decision, thinking that it would have been made impartially by the International Rugby authorities. However, if the article scanned and posted by Ross is correct, from Christchurch Press (thanks Ross), it is completely unacceptable because of the following bit:

"Cup host France has rejected live performances, opting for prerecorded tracks sung by a French choir before the games"

This is blatant favouritism benefiting only one Nation - the home Nation. It will fire up the French (as it's a French choir) and it will do much less for all visiting Nations.

These are words I rarely use in this forum... or anywhere. But... it is disgraceful and the International Rugby authorities should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for permitting it. You can't blame the French for trying it on... it's the governing body we need to direct our anger at.

I am fuming.

No cheers, Dave.

[Dori]

roger said:

The same story appears on RugbyHeaven.co.nz. The text is exactly the same as we have already seen, but this version contains a photograph which I post in a desperate attempt to cheer up Dori!

Roger

Haha, nice one Roger! But nothing will cheer me up It's been quite big news here in NZ....

Dori