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Henry says All Blacks 'no sex' campaign a 'terrible idea'

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Wed, 17 Aug 2011 8:22a.m.

Graham Henry (NZPA)

Graham Henry (NZPA)

By Dan Satherley / RadioLIVE

There is unease within the New Zealand Rugby Union over an about-to-be launched campaign that calls on All Black fans to give up sex during the Rugby World Cup.

The campaign is being funded by Telecom's Backing Black website, which is the official New Zealand Rugby Union All Black fans website.

The campaign, dubbed 'Abstain for the All Blacks', will be launched by a costly television campaign, starting on Sunday.

While it has the official support of the NZRU, some key executives are opposed to it and All Black coach Graham Henry is understood to have turned down an offer to front the campaign.

According to Fairfax media Henry described the advert as "a terrible idea".

Instead, former captain Sean Fitzpatrick will be the face of oddball promotion, which requires those taking part to wear black rings to show members of the opposite sex they're off-limits.

Telecom says the campaign is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek.

"We've tried to take a way that is fun and is absolutely tongue-in-cheek and is absolutely based on what, we think, is Kiwi humour," says Kieren Cooney.

But Auckland University marketing lecturer told the New Zealand Herald he thought the campaign was a joke, and can't believe it's real.

"I'm gobsmacked... The idea behind the campaign is to get some attention and to get some talk, but I can't believe anybody would participate in that."

The NZRU said in a statement it didn't expect anyone to actually abstain from sex for the duration of the six-week tournament.

"Our partners manage their own creative ideas but we are in the loop on their latest campaigns, and as with other Backing Black activity we expect this to be entertaining and get people talking."

During the 2010 Football World Cup, it was reported the English side were barred from sex so they'd have more energy for activities in front of the camera.

And infamously, FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has told gay fans to abstain if they're in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, where homosexuality is still a crime.

There's no evidence players abstaining from sex improves their game – it certainly didn't help England in 2010 – let alone the fans.

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Comments

23 Aug 2011 06:47a.m.

Xena wrote:

I loved the add! This married woman is abstaining. I told my husband yesterday that I was abstaining. I haven't followed the rugby as much as I have in the past but the abstaining part will be a challenge. When was the last time you challenged yourself like this? It's a laugh but will test how committed I am towards the all blacks. The all blacks will probably be told not to have sex during the World Cup because it can effect your performance the day after - you need to CONSERVE energy not WASTE energy. If the all blacks did it we could all support them and abstain to CONSERVE in support of them. It's all good! Come on NZ (including my husband). Sometimes we need to take a cup of CEMENT and GET HARD!!!! I LOVE NZ!!!! I LOVE THE ABs!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!

19 Aug 2011 04:05a.m.

nic wrote:

What is wrong with our stupid PC country. All these whingers saying my precious kids are to young to be exposed.Did you even watch the advert??Its hardly provocative. Harden up NZ, have a laugh...

18 Aug 2011 09:20p.m.

MPV wrote:

Kiwi humor, HAHA

18 Aug 2011 08:39a.m.

Paul R wrote:

What a joke... Nice parting shot from a "Marketing Manager" who is leaving the business.... clearly he doesnt care!!
Welcome to a bigger slice of the market Vodafone and 2 Degrees.. I hope your call centres are ready for the shift away from Telecom!!

18 Aug 2011 05:06a.m.

Jay wrote:

Well it didn't work. Why if you wanted it tongue in cheek start with a negative - abstain - who really uses this word in everyday kiwi life. Why would you want to stop people from doing things - wouldn't it be better to have something liike - do what you can as an All Black fan - support your team to achieve the dream - That it took the Communications marketing person so long to explain the purpose and drive behind their slogan, tells me they had lost it already. To be honest he was not doing a good job at communicating it. He was the joke. Abstain from going to school or work so I can watch the AB's, abstain from voting because it will make a difference and so on. That they spent so long working with RFU on this really does tell me that rugby people are intellecutually challenged.

18 Aug 2011 04:41a.m.

MalcolmUK wrote:

"There's no evidence players abstaining from sex improves their game – it certainly didn't help England in 2010 – let alone the fans." On the other hand Mike Tindall's game for England v Wales on Saturday was hardly noteworthy 3 weeks after his 'Royal' wedding! Perhaps some abstinence might have helped, though I suspect it will take more than that.

17 Aug 2011 09:16p.m.

Bear wrote:

I hear 2degrees are bringing out a campaign "Take me to bed for Ted" - I'd be the poster boy.

17 Aug 2011 07:15p.m.

Phil wrote:

Proof once again(not that it was needed) what boofheads rugby people are...

17 Aug 2011 06:57p.m.

John wrote:

This campaign will be on tv, radio, and print. I have 3 children who are going to be exposed to this at an age they should not have to be. It will do nothing to entice me back to Telecom

17 Aug 2011 06:32p.m.

Mat wrote:

New Zealand Fashion Week 2011: The black ring is the hottest menswear accessory, a must have if you find yourself walking home by yourself following a night on the town and several unsuccessful attempts to pick up. Deluxe Edition crafted by Weta Workshops, inscribed with Elvin script reading "It's not because I can't, it's because I choose not to".