Mantas 3 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Anyone who follows international rugby league or union would be well familiar with the Haka. It's a traditional Moari war dance performed by the New Zealand team before the match kick off. What usually takes place is the Kiwis perform their dance, which involves some yelling, screaming and poking out of tongues designed to intimidate the opposition. It is performed in the middle of the field whist the opposition MUST stand still and face this performance. In the past players have even been rebuked (and targeted) by the Kiwis for even talking during the Haka. Well last night that was turned on it's head. Last night the English rugby league team turned their back on the kiwis in the middle of their performance and formed a huddle of their own. This of course has upset the Kiwis. They say it was disrespectful. It will certainly open a can of worms and my prediction is the this will eventually see an end to the Haka performed before a match. Story Link to post Share on other sites
KRUSTY 2 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Italy did the same thing to the All Blacks at the start of a match in 2007. At that time many stories in the press of players and fans commenting that it was disrespectful just like the press is writing now. Its unlikely that we will ever see the All Blacks stop preforming the Haka and the same goes for the Kiwis(rugby league). I wouldnt be suprised if the N.Z rugby union and the I.R.B didnt have contractual obligations stating that Haka must be performed before all International Matches. It helps to charge the atmosphere of the stadium prior to kick off and its now what the fans and the Sponsers expect. Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 IMO its overused and isn't special anymore. I fast forward it if its recorded or if live use the time to grab a beer or go to the toilet. In the amateur days it was different, in professional Rugby the haka has become somewhat anachronistic. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 It is a bit like cheerleaders before American Football games I think... non rugby fans will watch the Haka then flick the channel and just go back for score checks. I like the Haka. I especially like it when you have two teams who have a haka and 'face off' - scary faces! It is very intimidating, as it is intended to be, and perhaps the English team, and the Italians before them just tried a different tactic to give them an edge in play... let's upset them so thier game is off... Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Let em perform it if they wish, but nobody should be forced to watch it (opposing team members nor fans). If they are forced to, then I think that team should make the Kiwis watch them drop their pants while they moon em Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 why is it considered disrespectful to turn your back on it....its a war dance designed to intimidate those who watch it....soooo why should they be allowed to "intimidate" the opposition? Surely the opposition can choose to watch it or not and then play their own mind games??!! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 As TB said - its not like the English do some dance? If they don't want to watch then fine, don't watch it. Link to post Share on other sites
moloneb3 0 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I think it is ok!! If you are good enough you will beat them. I think in today's modern world we are trying too much to get rid of old traditions. I think the Irish team should do a jig before our games!! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Originally Posted By: moloney I think it is ok!! If you are good enough you will beat them. I think in today's modern world we are trying too much to get rid of old traditions. I think the Irish team should do a jig before our games!! haha, yeah they could do a Riverdance, us Scots could do a highland fling and the English could do a Morris dance!!! Link to post Share on other sites
moloneb3 0 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Do you reckon Michael Flatley will make the team for the added intimidation!! What about the other nations, France, Italy, SA, Australia etc? Wonder what they'll do..... Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 France can do the Can-Can Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Originally Posted By: Creek Boy Let em perform it if they wish, but nobody should be forced to watch it (opposing team members nor fans). If they are forced to, then I think that team should make the Kiwis watch them drop their pants while they moon em Moon them, yes that would be the appropriate response for a 'war' dance. Personally I find the Haka entertaining but that's all it is- ENTERTAINMENT! It would be much more appropriate if they (the maori players only) performed it for the crowd, in their own time of course. I'm surprised that the Kiwis have had this exclusive arrangement with the IRB and the NRL for for long. Link to post Share on other sites
bobby12 0 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 They should just kick off and start playing while the kiwis are fannying around. Link to post Share on other sites
boardbaka 3 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 "If that's how they want to approach the game, that's their choice." In my opinion he is quite right (Kiwis star and captain Benji Marshall) so basically he is saying it is the oppostiotions right to respond to the haka in that manner but as Willie Mason found out that is maybe not the right attitude if you want to stay in one piece - type kidweel vs mason into youtube - you will see real disespect and consequences ! Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Is it disrespectful to ignore the haka? I don't think so - I actually find how the kiwis' opposition responds to it to be half the fun. If they basically prefer to spend the time in a huddle discussing tactics or demonstrating their own show of unity, then so be it. After all, in the original meaning, how much respect should you show to someone who's about to try to kill you in as violent a way as possible ? Link to post Share on other sites
Rag-Doll 0 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 People have tried to mess with the haka before - turning backs, talking, I think one team once even stood really close to the NZ team so the all blacks couldn't jump forward at the end. I think even once the All Blacks got so sniffy about the haka getting the right respect they did the haka in their dressing room, before they went on to the field. The all blacks are too much a part of world rugby and the haka is too much apart of the mystic of All Black rugby for it ever to go away. IMHO - it is a great bit of theatre and a fine tradition. What a wonderful spectacle; what a terrifying sight; how positively primeval to stand your ground against a bunch of huge (mainly Maori) All Blacks chanting a war dance. For the Portuguese team (weren’t they the part time/ armature team that played the All Blacks during the last RWC), facing the haka was probably the highlight of their rugby careers. CB, I don't know about you, but if I were in the opposing team, I'd definitely be wanting to drop my dacks....so I didn't have run off the field and change them before the game started! What is less impressive is the many other haka - lite versions that every other island nation now use. It just doesn't seem to have quite the same impact. Link to post Share on other sites
boardbaka 3 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 hhaa very good RD - I enjoyed reading that little tibit- you are dead right there was one occasion vs Wales ?- from memory where they did the haka inside and for the life of me I can't remember what the reasin was for that - anyone I?- I'm not even sure what to type into google for that one - KIA KAHA (ps I would have to give you at mainly maori - these days it seems to be players of ()polynesian heritage esp samoan / tongan players that dominate the AB's) - Fijians also - Kiwis league side is probably more Maori dominated and this is the one that instigated the thread - anyway great thread - chhers all Link to post Share on other sites
Rag-Doll 0 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Sorry BB. My (uninformed )Aussie prejudice is showing a bit there - As an AFL supporter my Rugby knowledge is pretty poor. “Maori†and “All Blacks†are largely interchangeable concepts for people like me. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 How are the various pacific islanders allowed to Play for NZ if they aren't from there? Whats the ruling in rugby for that? Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 What happens is a lot of them go to NZ to ply their trade - and after x amount of years they can apply for citizenship, same as in football. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Originally Posted By: boardbaka so basically he is saying it is the oppostiotions right to respond to the haka in that manner but as Willie Mason found out that is maybe not the right attitude if you want to stay in one piece - type kidweel vs mason into youtube - you will see real disespect and consequences ! I remember that Boadbaka. (we won that game too Do you really think a blow to big Willie's head will change his view on the Haka? He's had plenty worse than that in club games. BTW did you know Willie was born in NZ to a kiwi father and a Tongan mother. It kind of supports his story about not showing disrespect. What is it with the 'respect' issue anyway? We will do our scary dance and you MUST stand there and respect it or else. No other rugby nation I know is allowed to express their uniqueness to the world like the Kiwis. Blow the whistle- Kick the ball.... like everyone else. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Agree! Link to post Share on other sites
bobby12 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 ok, next time you bump into one of them be sure to tell them not to do haka anymore, ok? Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I'll get brit-gob to tell them. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Haka is a wonderful spectacle. Part of the reason the All Blacks are known even by Rugby hating football hooligans. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts