George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
The All Black haka is a multidimensional ritual. For the individual player it is a statement of his “mana” or as the Romans described it as having “gravitas” – a man’s depth of character having successfully confronted adversity.
Mana is very much celebrated in New Zealand society. This is important in understanding that when an All Black plays he is making a statement about the depth of his manhood. To meet his challenge, prevail and being acknowledged in doing so.
Inspired by Kurtley Beale, four things happened versus the All Blacks on Saturday night that impacted the Wallabies victory:
1. The indigenous welcome to the country was performed pre-match for the first time and the crowd were invited to join in a traditional indigenous Australian Cooee!
2. The Wallabies, again for the first time, wore an Australian Rugby jersey embolden with magnificent indigenous art celebrating the 14 previous indigenous Wallabies (which sold out online in record time).
3. The Wallabies adopted their own ritual arrowhead formation to meet the challenge of the haka ritual.
4. Kurtley Beale excelled in his leadership and continued to exhort the warrior spirit out of the Wallabies, resulting in the customary professional cool of the All Blacks being lost.
What was most telling was that when the All Blacks lifted their intensity in the last five minutes, it was met head-on by the Wallabies and Lukhan Tui in particular, with a magnificent aerial take under immense pressure. Cometh the hour, cometh the man!
Cooee Kurtley Beale – the Wallaby spirit is renewed and may the conduct of last Saturday night – in its entirety – never be forgotten!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
I don’t really get the comparisons between Joey Manu and Sonny Bill Williams. I realise they have the Roosters in common, along with a…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
There are those who will forever play the man - and not the ball - where TJ Perenara is concerned. The All Blacks and…
I well remember the day a New Zealand Rugby staffer put their hands on me. It seems I’d made them angry.The Wellington Sevens was…
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have described the players' union call for the board to step down while governance reforms are carried out as a…