Bowing to spectators, a new post-match trend at World Cup

Now take off your boots!

As it should be.

Only to add, that as a former rugby player, described by a coach as 'the craziest player' he'd ever coached, real men bow.

Respect !!

@ zichi: bravo and I agree. As long as this doesn't come off as the usual thing where a certain country, and their teams and players seem so much nicer and more polite than the rest of the world, I am all for it. I know NZ and others are doing it but I can see where this is headed. It'll be all about how great some peole are, just because they bow to your face.

It is a nice gesture by the teams, showing respect to the fans for the support during the games. We were at the Australia versus Fiji game at Sapporo dome on Saturday and after the match the Australian team bowed to the fans also. This game was played before the New Zealand game by the way ;)

As zichi says, many soccer teams will acknowledge fans after a game. With away fans, its almost expected.

fwiw, Japanese kids may bow to the pitch too. Kids in school are taught to bow to their swimming pool. Japanese marathon runners turn around and bow to the course at the finish.

As zichi says, many soccer teams will acknowledge fans after a game. With away fans, its almost expected.

Let's not kid ourselves here, most pro football (soccer & nfl) teams have some sort of 'fan engagement' bonuses that players get at the end of the month. yep that's right, 200k for bowing/clapping in front of the kop.

Not saying they all do it for the $$ but there's no doubt some do.

I'm not saying it's sincere, only that is common/accepted behaviour in football, a similar sport.

Behaviour that happens in other countries is not "Japanese culture".

NZ always set the pace and the trend in world rugby

NZ always set the pace and the trend in world rugby

Actually, the Brave Blossoms set the trend. All Blacks and other teams copied them. Anyway, bowing should become normal in all rugby games around the world. Its about respect.

Anyway, bowing should become normal in all rugby games around the world. 

Why? That's clearly a Japanese thing. In Europe they clap. Would be weird for the 6 nations teams to bow at the end of each game.

if you have to bow to anybody, team orders or its cultural thing maintain eye contact let them know you are not a slave and you do it because it's ordered not because the recipient is worthy.

At Liverpool FC at the end of the game, the manager and the players always applaud the fans. Without them there would be nothing.

Every football match I've seen the teams applaud their fans at the end of a game. I've never seen one that hasn't.

It sounds like half of the New Zealand rugby team will be playing in Japan next year, especially the older guys. maybe this sign of respect could also increase their worth to a few clubs and even bump up their retirement fund/salary.