NZ prime minister John Key resigns after All Blacks’ loss to Ireland last month

5 December, 2016. 14:34

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

THE PRIME MINISTER OF New Zealand, John Key, is the latest head to roll after the All Blacks’ shock loss to Ireland last month – a national scandal which has seen politicians and rugby officials receive widespread criticism and death threats.

Key’s resignation comes after one senior rugby administrator was sentenced alongside a national selector to spend the next four years working part-time as a tackling bag.

The rugby-mad nation took the 40-29 defeat to Ireland this time last in Chicago particularly bad, with some rioting and flipping of chilly bins recorded in rural areas of both the North and South Island.

Tekapo publican Roger Fo’tango said he had to take matters into his own hands when the patrons at his bar began voicing their disdain at the national rugby team in the dying moments of November’s loss.

As the Blacks broke their 18-match winning streak, some patrons began smashing their Tui tallies on the floor as they screamed out for blood.

“It was crazy, people wanted to hang [Steve] Hansen by his feet while they threw rotten fruit at him, like it was the Middle Ages,” said Fo’tango.

“A few fellas went outside and did a sad, slow haka. Then some of the others did a haka in response that haka. It was bedlam, bro.”

John Key has announced his resignation in an unexpected move, saying it is the “right time” to step down and he is leaving on his own terms after 8 years in the top job.

More to come.