Protesters interrupt the New Zealand v South Africa Rugby Match at Eden Park in Auckland with flour bombs in reaction to apartheid, 12 September 1981. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Analysis - "Keep politics out of sport."
It's the war cry of the more 'traditional' footy fan, but there is no hiding from the fact that the two are closely linked and have been since the All Black's inception.
TJ Perenara caused a serious stir during the haka in Sunday's final test of the year against Italy, and Perenara's final outing in black.
The outspoken halfback called "Toitū te tiriti o Waitangi" as he led Ka Mate, again prompting rhetoric about players needing to just play the game.
But whether it's a prime minister using the side to promote themselves, players calling out social injustice, or the side simply embroiled in geopolitical scandals, politics and sport are rarely far apart.
RNZ looks back at the history of when All Blacks and politics clashed.
1906- New Zealand Premier Richard Seddon leads the Originals off the ship as they arrive home to an adoring crowd.
1928- All Black legend George Nepia is left behind as All Blacks first tour racially segregated South Africa.
George Nepia earned 9 caps between 1924-1940 for New Zealand. Photo: Photosport.co.nz
1960- Citizens' All Black Tour Association chase All Black plane as they depart for South Africa.
1970- Ken Gray retires instead of touring South Africa due to apartheid regime while Bob Burgess declines to even trial.
1975- National promise to strengthen sporting relations with South Africa.
Apartheid rally during the South Africa tour of New Zealand 1981. Photo: www.photosport.co.nz
1981- Peak of sport meets politics. Skipper Graham Mourie and Bruce Robertson both sat out the tour. Bob Burgess takes part in the nationwide protests.
1986- Cavaliers make rebel tour to South Africa.
Andrew Donald clears from the ruck during the Cavaliers rugby union tour to South Africa in 1986. Photo: Photosport
1995- Josh Kronfeld writes "nuclear free" on his headgear in a match for Otago to protest nuclear testing in the Pacific.
2011- Prime Minister John Key stands with All Black's skipper Richie McCaw as he lifts the World Cup.
Dubbed the three-way handshake: IRB boss Bernard Lapasset, PM John Key and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw with the Webb Ellis Cup at the conclusion of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Photo: Photosport
2014- Israel Dagg tweets in support of John Key during the election.
2015- Sonny Bill Williams Tweets photos of dead children to protests the Syrian crisis.
Sonny Bill Williams speaks at the Auckland service. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
2016- Kane Hames writes "Standing Rock" on wrist to protest the North Dakota pipeline during Māori All Blacks match in US.
2018- Brad Weber and TJ Perenara both speak out against Israel Folau's homophobic tweets.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
2018-19- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hands Bledisloe Cup to Kieran Reed.
2019- TJ Perenara writes "Ihumātao" on his wrist in support of the protests fighting housing development on the sacred site.
2024- TJ Perenara begins haka with a call to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
All Black TJ Perenara performs the Haka ahead of the All Blacks v Italy. Photo: Joe Toth/ActionPress
