OPINION: I've got no issues with poi.
To be more specific, I've got no issues with poi becoming 'our thing' at sports games.
Is there a greater sight than these balls of joy and morale whipping through the air?
Stirring and whipping up national pride.
Now, in case some of you at home are thinking, "Hang on, am I watching Paddy, a middle-aged white male, discovering and explaining (some would say mansplaining) the beauty of something that has literally been in existence for hundreds of years?"
The answer is yes, that is exactly what I am doing here. There is a poi bandwagon and I'm jumping on it.
Last year poi made the Rugby World Cup even greater than it already was.
And now they are back at the FIFA World Cup 2023, and there are 11 Norwegian footballers who never want to see a poi again.
Let's face it, Kiwis we're kinda shit when it comes to stadium vibe.
We wear black. We are dour.
The most original things we've got are, "Bring Back Buck" signs.
And never forget, "Let's Gone Warriors".
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And then there's the Mexican Wave. I've got a major problem with that. It's the word Mexican. Nothing against Mexicans but we are Kiwis.
We don't have any decent chants.
And of course, we refuse to sing.
But wow oh wowee, we can wave poi. The whole world is watching and poi make us look cool.
Here's a scientific analysis.
Last year, the All Blacks had one of their worst seasons ever. No poi.
The Black Ferns pulled off the sporting victory of the century. Poi.
Case closed.
I say poi should be in the hand of every fan in every seat in every stand at every game New Zealand plays.
They could make us the greatest sports crowds in the world.
That's why I've got no issues with poi becoming "our thing".
So I would like to leave you with this very famous and thought-provoking quote from those well-known philosophers, the Pātea Māori Club.
"Poi E".
Patrick Gower hosts Paddy Gower Has Issues - watch it on Three or ThreeNow.
