The Haka

[goodgoalie]

I think it's high time the performing by New Zealand of the haka - and the versions by other teams like Samoa and Fiji - was kicked into touch. Why should the All Blacks be allowed to pump themselves up both physically and emotionally, thus gaining a significant advantage, while the opposing team have to stand behind the half-way line and meekly 'accept the challenge'?

It amounts to a sort of condoned gamesmanship, and is a blatant intimidation of the opposition, particularly the versions which involve the performers advancing with throat-slitting gestures. And before anyone mentions 'culture' and 'identity', I fully understand that aspect of it, but if the All Blacks want to assert and celebrate their heritage they are quite at liberty to hype themselves up by performing the haka (or anything else they choose) in the privacy of their dressing-room.

[Peter Pedant]

but wanting to ban the haka just because England hasn't got a proper equivalent

yeah foo woy: the Australians wd - chop them up and feed them to dingoes ( lindy Chamberlain dance) - or just beat the crap out of them - whilst on lookers quip - haw haw haw - what a riot !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Cronulla_riots

Just noticed
they are quite at liberty to hype themselves up by performing the haka (or anything else they choose) in the privacy of their dressing-room.
shows no idea of the significance ot the haka
has to be done in public and towards a visitor

( as sociologist wd say: signs ( the haka) which have significance according to the circs ( a visit) and the place ( location, facing them.
Note to self: I MUST be more mimsy: I must be more mimsy)

[pastafreak]

//The Haka is puerile nonsense.//

What an absolutely nasty thing to say.

[Arksided]

Make me laugh, they know its a marriage dance to each other.

[jno]

Arksided, I once saw a haka performed at a wedding in New Jersey; if you google you can find very emotional ones performed at funerals too. The Welsh did try to restrict them once last century, as I recall, so the All Blacks performed it in their dressing room (and still won).

Like Sqad I think it's a great part of the spectacle and would be sorry to see them go, but I dare say NZ would comply with any ban on them in TW1.

[douglas9401]

If objections were serious I suppose the opposition could loose off a volley or two like in the old days.

It's only a dance though.

[Mozz71]

Perhaps we could counter the haka with the Thriller dance, or the Welsh sing Men of Harlech, like in Zulu? A sabre dance for the Scots a possibility?

[New Judge]

//Because they're not allowed to, NJ - that would be 'disrespecting the haka'.//

And where is that stated in the laws of Rugby Union?

Personally I think it's disrespectful to stand in front of somebody and poke your tongue out at them. To expect them to stand there and watch it is even more so. I'm a keen fan of RU but this business has always got on my nerves. Why it has been allowed to perpetuate is a complete mystery. If teams are fined by World Rugby they should simply refuse to pay and if it means they cannot play NZ any more, so be it. I'd sooner they played teams that understand that "respect" cuts both ways.

[douglas9401]

"A sabre dance for the Scots a possibility?"

Or a flash mob. :-)

[Old_Geezer]

I have little issue in teams, in their own time, doing what they need to compensate for their weaknesses, (obviously within reason) but I fail to see why anyone else needs to be paying attention or respecting such nonsense.

And even less why authorities should abuse their power by fining teams without any justification.

Still, governments unfairly 'tax' certain sections of society without justification so why should we expect sport authorities to be any better, having government behaviour/practice as their example ?

[jno]

ah well, if we all followed the rules there would be no rugby, and the world would be a better behaved place

https://live.staticflickr.com/3456/3915565502_1fb8890fed_b.jpg

[Arksided]

I like it show’s togetherness byI like to dance, shame that the All Blacks don’t really know what it means, and it’s not a war chant.

Also don’t let on to the woke brigade about their nickname

[douglas9401]

Coldplay were said to be considering sponsoring a national team a while back.

They would have been known as the All Yellows.

[piggynose]

Goodgoalie you've scored an own goal!! Haka Is here to stay!!!!!!

[royfromaus]

All a bit tame really, wasn't it.

[gness]

I love the Haka, GG....if other teams did as we do when we belt out The Fields of Athenry at a stadium or in the pub it'd be fun.
I did look for a clip of it happening but they're a bit long and I'm getting ready for the game tonight.