The Kangaroos are a strong chance of introducing a war dance when Australia and New Zealand host the next rugby league World Cup in 2017.
Coach Mal Meninga is a big fan of the idea, saying it would be the ideal of way to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Australia’s last pre-game cry in France in 1967.
“I love the idea. It’s something that we need to address,” Meninga said on the first night of Kangaroos camp for the annual mid-year Test against New Zealand.
“I think the last time they used it was 1957 (sic) so it makes great sense to me with the World Cup next year, 50 years on, that we do something along those lines. I’m happy to have a look at it.”
The idea has previously been floated by current indigenous Kangaroos stars Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis, but Meninga said it need to be “all-encompassing” of other nationalities.
“Indigenous people are part of Australia (but) I think it’s got to be more all-encompassing around multicultural values,” he said.
“If we can do something like that and we do it well – that’s the more important part – I think it’ll be a great spectacle.”
However Meninga said it won’t be introduced this week.
“There’s enough people and players that think it’s worthwhile consideration. I’m pretty sure if we make that decision, and it’s a positive one, we’ll have something for next year,” he said.
Meninga’s comments come as representatives from North Queensland and the Sydney Roosters arrived in Coogee to begin preparations to take on the world No.1 Kiwis in Newcastle on Friday.
Blake Ferguson was one of the first to filter in, just one day after celebrating his maiden selection with a hat-trick of tries against Newcastle.
“He’s got a spring in his step downstairs. It’s good to see him get across the tryline and the Roosters playing really well. It’s good for him to justify his selection,” Meninga said.
Meninga could be forced into one change, with Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen captured elbowing Brisbane and fellow Australian forward Josh McGuire on Sunday.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Are you saying that the non-indigenous Kiwis look silly when they perform the Haka?
In Brief
Guest
Aboriginal tribes were incredibly warlike, with huge mortality rates. A fight between the Wodi Wodi and Gundungurra tribe cost 70 lives at Fairy Meadow near Wollongong in 1830. http://battlefairymeadow1830.blogspot.com.au/ The Gundungurra (or Mountain Tribe) were a physically impressive and warlike tribe who wore ankle length fur cloaks and had distinctive hair bunched and braided. On this occasion they would have walked down the escarpment from the Southern Highlands to fight the local Wodi Wodi. Are you really 100% sure these battles included no war cries or war dances?
Zedman
Roar Rookie
I think the Twist would be appropriate. At least the non indigenous players wouldn't look quiet as silly as pretending to throw spears.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't think it is necessary to have anything, actually. But if there is going to be an Australian war dance or whatever, then I think it should be an Aboriginal one. A mixed one of the various cultures that make up Australia sounds like a nice idea but there would be no real roots behind it. For the sake of furthering engagement with Aboriginal Australia and the traditions and history that that brings, then any Australian war dance should be purely an Aboriginal one.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That logic works both ways, you know. The haka is a Maori tradition and not a British one. Yet the Kiwis have managed to get everyone to buy into it. Is there something against making an Aboriginal tradition a part of the Kangaroos that is offensive? No, of course not. Unless you want it to be offensive.
The eye
Guest
Ridiculous..
mikeT
Guest
This will be embarrassing... But hey its great recognition of Australia's proud record of cultural understanding.
Baracuda
Guest
The Australian team is not entirely made up of indigenous players therefore it is the self interested contingent that forced the idea, not say Paul Gallen. Works well for the Indigenous All Stars team and that's where it belongs or next you'll see England having a go...
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Why step out, when a mirror would suffice?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Woud you prefer that we turned around, dropped our pants, and wiggled our bums like the Scottish did to the English? A rebuttal to the Haka would go along way to solidifying teams, rather than them standing there like stunned mullets as the Kiwis go about their business. If you have a better suggestion than Mals, then let it be heard
bilo
Guest
How is it copy-pasting it? Are you serious? As a Indigenous Australian this sort of thing makes me cringe. As I say it was NEVER a part of our culture but is VERY much a part of Polynesian culture. Let's just respect that and enjoy it. Personally I love the haka and have never felt it necessary for Australia to have "our" version.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
How is it copy-pasting it? Considering that this is something that is getting pushed predominantly from the indigenous community I have no issue with it.
bilo
Guest
No it's just a poor imitation of something that is an intrinsic part of Polynesian culture. Wouldn't it create strong cultutral links to actually respect and understand culture rather than just try to copy and paste it?
steve
Guest
Not needed, if I want to watch men dance badly I will go to a nightclub.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Or a celebration of our heritage and culture. Not only would it create stronger cultural links between Australians but also with our Pacific neighbours who also share this tradition.
bilo
Guest
Why do we need a war cry? It is just a poor imitation of the haka.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Or the chicken dance...
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I think this could be good if it looks something like what the Indigenous All Stars have put on in recent years. As long as it's better than the atrocity we used to do. That looked like seniors aerobics. Nobody's getting intimidated by that...