- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
France advance on the All Blacks' haka (EPA/Kim Ludbrook)
The IRB has once again shot itself in the foot with a stupid decision, slapping France with a $15,000 fine for advancing on the haka during the Rugby World Cup final.
The IRB has form with lamentable decisions at this World Cup, and this was is no different.
The France-New Zealand was a pulsating affair, a tense final that was climatic and enjoyable. But no-one was expecting it before the game.
Considering the form of both teams heading into the final – France had lost to Tonga for god’s sake – most were predicting an easy win for the All Blacks.
But France didn’t roll over and almost stole the cup. And the moment that signalled their intention that they were here to play and not surrender meekly came before kick-off.
It came as the All Blacks did their signature war dance, where the French linked arms and moved into a V formation. The French showed that they were not going to lie down by that gesture, and that they were not over-awed or intimidated. Good on them.
Some of the players may have just over-stepped the halfway line, but so what? The French weren’t that close to the All Blacks. There was still 10 metres between them. They weren’t within touching distance, and they showed respect to the Kiwis by genuinely accepting the challenge.
I think the haka is great. It adds to the spectacle of any game the All Blacks are involved in, and is a wonderful part of world rugby. But in many ways it gives the All Blacks a leg-up before every match. They pump themselves up with a part of Maori culture, while the other team stands there placidly.
Is that fair? I’m not advocating that the haka should be axed, or for opposing teams to put their backs to the All Blacks as they carry it out as some teams have done in the past.
The Welsh made the All Blacks do their haka in the dressing rooms in a Cardiff Test a few years back and were duly thrashed.
But the opposition should be allowed to have a reasonable response to the haka, something that squares the ledger somewhat and unifies them as a team. It has to be respectful and not over-the-top.
The French did this, so why IRB would the punish them? They made the final into a genuine World Cup classic, so the IRB should be thanking them not punishing them.
Give them a warning for heaven’s sake, but the fine is just another example that the IRB is a out-dated, ineffective and authoritarian organisation that is desperate need of reform.
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.