Perhaps not recognising All Blacks isn't all that rare: I know plenty of people who wouldn't recognise them, because they don't follow sport at all. Plus, the Matterhorn has a lot of international customers, many of whom wouldn't even know what rugby is.

Anyway, I didn't read the comments as being all that condescending. He just said that "in many cases" patrons wouldn't recognise them, but in general those who did wouldn't make a fuss over it. And he obviously recognises them himself, since he says that Tana's a regular.

Even if you follow rugby (and I do), it's nice to have some places that don't revolve around the game.