Romain Rouillard / Photo credit: Geoff Caddick / AFP
With each selection, its little nickname. For lovers of the oval ball, they are part of the traditional lexicon of rugby. A few days before the start of the World Cup, which will be played this year in France, Europe 1 looks back on their origins, sometimes incongruous.
England: the XV of the Rose
By opting for a red rose as a symbol, the British rugby selection stands out from most of the teams in the Kingdom which generally display the three lions, the “Three lions” in the language of Shakespeare. This singularity has its origins in a conflict nearly six centuries old. A civil war, linked to the succession of the crown of England, opposing the royal family of Lancaster to that of York. This “War of Two Roses”, in reference to the emblem chosen by the two belligerents – a red rose for the Lancasters, a white rose for the Yorks – resulted in the victory of the former. And the use, since then, of the red rose with a white heart as a symbol of England.
Scotland: the XV of the Thistle
Among the nicknames with burlesque origins, that of the Scottish selection – which would have been born from a simple accident – figures prominently. In the 13th century, when the Vikings were trying to take over Scotland, one of them would have stepped on a thistle as his troops prepared to attack Slains Castle. His cry of pain would then have alerted the Scottish guards who were able to launch the assault and repel the invader.
Ireland: the XV of Clubs
A traditional emblem of Ireland, the clover naturally adorns the shirts of the country’s football or rugby teams. During his mission to evangelize Ireland, Saint-Patrick would have used a shamrock to represent the Holy Trinity. This plant and its green color have since been essential markers of the country and its selections.
Wales: the Leek XV
Again, such a nickname requires explanation. According to legend, it dates back to a 7th century battle against the Saxons which took place near a field of… leeks. King David of Menevie, patron saint of Wales, is said to have ordered his troops to wear the plant on their helmets to distinguish themselves from their opponents. Strategy paid off since the Welsh managed to triumph and repel the enemy. It didn’t take much more to turn a simple leek into a true national symbol.
New Zealand: the All Blacks
At first glance, the explanation seems quite simple. If the New Zealanders do indeed wear a black jersey, the origin of the term “All-Blacks” has, in reality, no connection with the outfit worn by the players. In 1905, during a tour of Great Britain, a journalist from the DailyMail, impressed by the dexterity of the forwards, would have written an article titled “They are all backs”, “These are all rears”. But the typographer, responsible at the time for drawing the characters for the newspaper, would have heard “They are all blacks”, “They are all black”. A nickname that has been preserved and has since become one of the most famous in the history of sport.
Australia: the Wallabies
Originally, the Australian selection should have been known as “rabbits”, “the rabbits”. A nickname chosen by British journalists, three years after making New Zealand the “All Blacks”. But in Australia, the moniker raises some eyebrows. On the one hand because the rabbits, which literally invade the island, are considered pests and on the other hand because their presence is directly linked to British colonization, the English having imported the mammal into Oceania. The Australians then prefer an endemic animal, in this case the wallaby because the kangaroo already appeared on the jersey of the rugby league team.
South Africa: The Springboks
Like the Australians, the South Africans have chosen one of their local species to designate their national selection. And turned to the jumping antelope, called “springbok” in Afrikaans, a Germanic language from the Dutch colonial past. Note however that during the last three editions of the World Cup, the animal, which was enthroned on the right part of the jersey, has been shifted on the sleeve to make way for the official logo of the World Cup.
Argentina: the Pumas
On the sky and white jersey of the Argentines, taking up the colors of the national flag, takes place a logo representing a feline. Logically, it should be a puma, the animal designating for decades the best selection in Latin America. And yet, it is indeed a jaguar that adorns the coat of arms. An incongruity which, again, is explained by the blunder of a journalist who confused the two big cats. The nickname “Pumas” has however been kept since 1965… just like the jaguar on the jersey.