NZ 'Too Nice': Haddin Comments Show Exactly Why Kiwis Hate Aussies

New Zealand deserved to be sledged in the Cricket World Cup final, according to Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, as the Kiwis were "too nice." In an interview on the Triple M radio station, Haddin remarked that the New Zealanders were so nice for seven days that it became "uncomfortable."

It is the type of arrogance Kiwis despise. Deserving to be sledged for being too nice? It is almost unbelievable.

In many ways it is a classic culture clash. 

Australians bring a passion few can match in the sporting arena. To them there is little wrong with sledging, they bring a win-at-all-costs attitude and like to put their heroes up on a pedestal.

Kiwis, on the other hand, prefer to let their performance speak. Verbal abuse is seen as classless in New Zealand and is a reason why many Kiwis turned off bowlers Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan due to their habit for dishing out verbal sprays.

Whereas Australians love to celebrate their successes and let their opponents know about it, Kiwis are at the other extreme of the spectrum, cutting down anyone's success in a process known as "tall poppy syndrome."

Consider the likes of Jonah Lomu, Richie McCaw and Brendon McCullum, all undoubtedly successful athletes who have been torn to shreds by the public at various stages of their careers. Anyone who has ever listened to New Zealand sport talkback radio could attest to that. 

Indeed they do it to their own more than others, although it certainly feeds into their dislike of those that do beat their chests.

The result of this is New Zealanders having an intense passion for beating the Australians; they want to shut them up, they do not approve of the win-at-all-costs attitude.

Of course, it is not purely a cricket issue. Remember Quade Cooper's reaction to Richie McCaw after the Australian rugby union team broke a 10-match losing streak to the All Blacks in 2010? Or his and others' attempts to target McCaw with knees to the head and dangerous tackles? Needless to say, Cooper became public enemy No. 1 in New Zealand. George Gregan's "four more years" taunt was one that did not go down well in 2003, while in rugby league, Willie Mason standing and laughing at the haka was also seen as disrespectful.

The incident of all incidents between the two nations was, of course, the underarm ball of 1981. Much has been said about it over the past week, and while many Australians claim that the Kiwis need to let it go, it is its symbolic value of representing the win-at-all-costs attitude that lingers.

It was seen last summer when Michael Clarke told England tail-ender James Anderson to get ready for a broken arm. In that there was a threat, an intent to bowl to harm and injure. For those of us watching on the other side of the Tasman, it did not go down well, but it exemplified so much of why Kiwis cannot stand the Australians in the sporting arena. The message was sent out loud and clear: Winning games is more important than the health of a fellow human being.

Clarke was not the only one. Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, David Warner and Haddin have all been big proponents of sledging, and their hostile attitude is one that does not go down well.

You have taken a wicket, why do you need to go and give the batsman a spray? We all saw it, everyone knows, you do not need to go and tell them how great you are and how poor they are. At least in the eyes of the average Kiwi, that is the feeling.

So when Haddin gave New Zealand opener Martin Guptill a send-off after being dismissed in the World Cup final, it did not leave a great impression. 

There is no doubting Australia were the vastly better side on the day. Their seam bowlers exploited New Zealand's weaknesses by bowling full, straight and fast. New Zealand is proud of their team, and there are few denying that Australia were deserved victors.

Perhaps calls of sour grapes are justified from the Australians, depending on which viewpoint you take. It is the attitude though, not the game and outcome that are being questioned.

Haddin's actions do leave a sour taste in the mouth. In many ways, it reaffirms everything that contributes to the ill feeling.

Seriously, deserving to be verbally abused for being too nice? What a ridiculous statement. On the plus side, at least it highlighted the class of one side.