Will the haka handicap the All Blacks?

Hey Krakers grab ur nuts and get ur facts right. The all blacks are highly skilled athletes and like most int'l teams they are very fit. I don't think the Haka is going to take NRG out of them. If anything it will inspire them to go to war wit the blessing of the nation. Like Tana said it aint tiddly winks. You gonna be playing on our WHenua now so it will be gr8t to play the best in Teams in the world and the Haka is our challenge to ne tean that stands in the way to winning the world cup. The Haka is something very special that should be treasured it's what makes us different. SO bring it on RWC2011

There's more than 2 spectators watching these games Geoff. And if one of your examples is a rusted on League supporter - relevance? That said - I want the haka. It is a challenge. It is also slightly unfair. But that's ok. So's Richie. Another challenge. Some unfortunate comments up above from WANNA BE. Bigotry doesn't look good from either side of the Tasman.

Basically Jeremy, I don't care what you think about my opinion; it is, after all, MY opinion. And, as GoldenBull said, it was a kiwi that so arrogantly stated that Australians don't have culture, so I thought, well so be it; say what you like about us, culture or no culture; I don't care; our country simply is the best place to be. But yes, we do have a myriad of cultures, and so long as they fit within the general boundaries of what it is to be 'Australian', then all those cultures are welcomed. Personally though, I don't give a shit about culture - be it my own, or anyone else's. I think it's pointless and it just shackles people to the past. I like the Chinese way of doing things: bulldoze the hell out of everything and build new; it's called progress. But anyway, that's just me. And, I don't mind other people having their culture, so long as it doesn't affect me wanting to live my life the way I wish - cultureless. What I do mind is when we have some politically-correct, arrogant people who have self-inflated the importance of their own culture, and who seek to impose that culture on teams and spectators at international sporting events. NZ can do whatever it wants in NZ, but sweet jesus, nonsense from the IRB 'recommending' how a sporting team can oppose a war challenge, in those teams' HOME COUNTRIES!!, well, plainly, it's ridiculous.

far point and I embrace the australian culture which for me is just as much about bbq's and the outdoor lifestyle as it is in the Aboriginal culture, no shame at all. Which ever cutural topic you choose to focus on I still find it the best in the world and this was a reply from the kiwi stating we have no idea what culture was.

Just a note...Your choice of cultural alignment is a bizarre one. Australia has a rich native cultural history that Australians should be proud of; the oldest continuous living cultural (aborigines), the oldest recorded artwork (again aborigine). Yet many Australians seem to not want to embrace this or celebrate it; either as a hangover of shame from the treatment of the indigenous people up to the 1960s, or as simple unwillingness to accept this into their cultural identity. It's certainly not a hard and fast rule, but I've found New Zealanders and South Africans *far* more likely to embrace the native cultures of their own countries. And comments like yours, that try to align cultural awareness with 'political correctness', highlight this very fact. Claiming Australia has a 'cultureless' culture is sheer ignorance, and by 'ignorance' I mean 'ignoring everything that doesn't suit you'. When you get back to Australia after 8 years away, take a look around at the myriad cultures that make up Australian culture, the heavy Asian and Mediterranean influences, the increasing numbers of immigrants from Eastern Europe, the old Slavic republic, ex-pat Poms, Irishmen and Scotsmen, and the many New Zealanders. Look at your own rugby team, complete with Kiwis, South Africans, Pacific Islanders, Zimbabweans and coached by a Kiwi. Each brings their own culture to the mix.

I agree on some points but not the others... First off - don't use Braveheart as a history book - William Wallace never bared his buttocks to the English at Stirling Bridge, and there's little clear evidence that the Scots ever did this. Wilson is quite right; both mils Muliaiana and the coach of NZ Maori have referenced that the Haka ends on a high and that the first few minutes of the game is unsettled as a result. The haka, to me, is issued as a challenge. In New Zealand, there would be a rival challenge from the opposing team. Every boy's school, and nearly every co-ed school playing in the schoolboy championships, has their own haka which they perform, as a challenge, against the opposing team. As such I'm absolutely fine for any team to choose how they respond to the haka. The Welsh have done it well - standing their ground resolutely and silently while the crowd sings Land of Our Fathers. The Poms sing 'Swing Low', drowning out the challenge - but only in their own country. The Boks do it quite well, quietly amping themselves up and staring stonefacedly back. Even Sebastien Chabal's wild-eyed, tangled-haired grimacing in response, accompanied by a peculiar licking of the lips which almost hinted he could taste the challenge, was fantastic. Trite suggestions like baring of buttocks indicates a lack of awareness. Not only is it derogatory, it's disrespectful and contrary to the spirit in which a challenge is offered.

The Haka gives the All Blacks some mystical advantage. Apparently dancing makes you better at rugby. This only applies to the All Blacks however. The other pacific countries haka is not mystical and does not give them inhuman powers. Hence why you never hear these inveterate whiners having a cry about Samoa, Tonga or Fiji; because more often than not they beat them...

What a load of crap. Their behaviour during the anthems is no different to any other nations. Feel free to justify your "opinion" by explaining how it is an 'insult' or shows 'no respect'.

Because their first effort was such a resounding success. What a waste of time and effort.

What do the spectators say about the Haka instead of armchair so called experts?? My aussie neighbour reckons it is sometimes the only part of the game he enjoys when oz v nz because his words "the scores often are not good for oz" What a hoot and his wife who doesn't even watch union (league supporter) only watches because of the haka hey how funny.

I find it hilarious to hear kiwis telling aussies how to respect the performance of a haka. But I feel that the allowance of the Haka is respect enough. Don't get me wrong, I like the Haka and do not want it stopped, but it is a war dance, a challenge to battle, it is for the New Zealanders to respect and the challenged to respond in the way they deem appropriate. On you second point I agree.

Peter, I agree with you whole heartedly. It IS a challenge, and by definition deserves a response. The Australian Womens Rugby team were fined for breaching this rule at a recent tournament. I say civil disobedience, breach this rule again and again, and wear the fine every match. Pass the hat around to pay for the fine. I'll throw in a few dollars to see a challenge. Which IRB official, decided that this Orwellean rule should exist, I would like to know.

Yeah good point WANNA BE i will gladly take our abissmal record against the all blacks for the wins that truely matter like the 2 world cups we already have....ouch!

mate, thank you! I have been looking for words to express why I think the Hakka is not relevant for other countries and for rugby union in general. You said it perfectly! as an australian who is moving back home after 6 years I am over the moon to go back to the country with no culture or should I say the best culture in the world!! Cheers. Go the wallabies.... can it be the 3rd??

No mate, it's really about imposing one country's culture on another. You only have to note Wales' decision on the haka, and the AB's subsequent decision to perform it in the dressing room, to know that the haka is not exactly loved by opposing teams. NZers need to come out of the politically-correct bubble that NZ is, every once and a while, and realize that their culture really isn't important to anyone but them, and when they're in another country, the best they can hope for is a measure of respect that leaves the teams in equal standing. Right now, it seems to me to be firmly on the AB's side. I like the idea that someone mentioned earlier: the visiting team has the anthem played, then they can do a cultural performance, then the home side has the anthem played, with their own cultural performance following if they so choose. And WANNA BE, Australians do have a culture; it's the culture of 'no culture', and it's awesome. They face each day with a bright and optimistic spirit without the shackles of boring and outdated tradition and culture and just get on with their lives. I return to Australia next March after eight years of being away and I just can't wait to be back. Win or lose the WC I will rest easy knowing I live in the best country on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep it on rugby gents not league... The All Blacks seem a little passionless when it comes to the haka... why doesn't their captain lead their call? Mana what twaddle, that’s a NZ issue not something international teams needs to suck up... do the haka in the locker rooms…

this is very funny as a NZlnder.

Don't rate this article or the author, complete crap, but I do totally understand the Aussie negativity towards the HAKA, it's about pride, mana and especially CULTURE, things our dear neighbours have absolutely no knowledge of. Whether teams or individual players face it or respect it is entirely up to them, they can go kick a ball around like Campo if they wish to or do drills, but no matter who they listen to, whether it be, valued commentator my arse Stu Wilson, Kearns or Gavin Hastings, their win/loss statistics against the ABs will always be abissmal. I suppose if they want to they could come out swinging chains and shackles, now that would be a challenge.

While watching a Kiwi game, they performed the haka, and the TV commentator made mention of how the opposing team was expected to respond. Found this btw: ... the fine print in IRB tournament rules that dictate teams facing the haka,... must remain at least 10 metres on their own side of the halfway line. The rule was put in place to prevent potential incendiary incidents between players caught up in the high emotion of the haka. In the past opposing teams have reacted in a variety of ways to the All Black haka, including some instances of players standing nose to nose with their opposites at the end of it. On other occasions players have gesticulated at the opponent during it and even formed a huddle and tried to ignore it. Standard practice now, encouraged by the IRB, is for teams to stand at the agreed distance and face the challenge in the spirit with which it is intended.

Now... that is very interesting indeed. I'll do some research on that. Thanks a lot for your help, Moaman.