Manhood in the Polynesian culture is often described by the amount of ‘mana’ a man has.
The ancient Romans described this as “gravitas” – from feats achieved in battle. It is a depth of personal power that is resident within the man – it is not spoken, it is achieved by actions. It is inherent in the man and commands respect.
There is a psychological barrier crossed when a young boy goes through a rite-of-passage to become a young man – to achieve mana/gravitas. This is usually attained by the young boy confronting his mortality.
Every act of courage after will increase his mana, be celebrated by his community and increase his status in the process. And better equip him to deal with adult life.
The Haka is a ritual of manhood and for each All Black a display of courage will increase his mana and be acknowledged by his community. This is the Polynesian way – men use rugby as a vehicle to achieve mana, as did the Roman soldiers feats in battle added to their gravitas. Men are not only unified in achieving mana for themselves but also for their team.
Australia has no equivalent depth of motivational tool. As the Australian coach you are always looking to motivate a super human performance from your players and win the day. So how to achieve that equivalent motivation? Seize on any opportunity that disrespects the players – the more layers of disrespect the better.
Cheika has headed to the trenches courtesy of the clown depiction in the New Zealand press. The Wallabies now will have to regain lost respect and in doing so go to their primal instincts to prove their manhood.
There can be no greater motivation for a man.
This will be the Wallaby mantra until the Spring Tour . Expect the Wallaby passion to go a new level.
Perhaps the next Haka will be respectfully met with the Wallabies lined up shoulder-to-shoulder in a V formation (old military arrowhead attack formation) with the captain at the head – all with arms folded.
Sage
Guest
Thanks for the link, impressive. Credit to the panel and Jeff Wilson. Some interesting comments too - I like the guy who threw his toast at the TV and got Barnes right between the eyes - good times............
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Jacko, guys like you always seem to spectacularly miss the point.
moaman
Roar Guru
Have a look at this and read the comments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAXYjKDiOCk
moaman
Roar Guru
I'm with you on that score Sage; there has been an awful lot of whinging on the Roar this year.Hopefully the EOYT will held clear the air and we can get back to enjoying our rugby and talking about the game.
moaman
Roar Guru
Yes Sage; another great example of shameful colonial-enabled genocide.
Sage
Guest
I think the Moriori probably feel the same
Liam
Guest
They practice it for sure but you don't need a lot. They have all been doing haka through school and college all the way up. The new an haka shares almost all the words and actions to my college haka. To people grown up in the culture, even if that's it and they've never been to a marae, it's not a giant step to being able to make it impressive. People should do what they like to face it. Respect to campese. It might add to motivation still further but that's the risk. How hard is it really? Just face it. You think standing there doesn't have an adrenalin effect on the opposition? It should! Use it. So much bleating about this every year.
Liam
Guest
Mate it's a war dance. It's a challenge. They used to do it at the enemy before they went into battle. So facing the other team is the obvious thing. If you've ever done it though, in sport it can be too much of an energy sap to do right before a game... it blows energy and makes it hard to start the game with a clear head. Pros and cons.
Sage
Guest
Fair call Moa. While we're talking fed up, I'm fed up with the incessant bitching about the WB's too. The constant kicks to the head at any opportunity that some seem to get so much pleasure from. Most are just ignored but it does get tiresome. If you didn't know better you'd think it was the highlight of the week for some when Aus don't do well. In anything. I think international rugby would be the poorer without the Haka at every AB game. I think one of the issues though, is how you're supposed to respond rather than just standing there like a dear in the headlights when 15 guys are motioning an intention to slit your throat. What to do, what not to do. I enjoy the Haka and the celebration of culture. I just don't agree with the timing. It shouldn't be the last thing before kick off. Players on the field. Performance of the Haka. Then each countries anthems and then we play rugby.
moaman
Roar Guru
They tried it in 1770 Wal but it didn't go down too well.....
TH McProp
Guest
Jacko: I might be wrong, but if I recall correctly, Neil isn't necessarily an Aussie and has been critical of WBs in other contexts on the Roar site. Wal: some years ago served alongside Kiwis. We got a new (Aussie) boss and Kiwis put on a powhiri to welcome him. Very moving, and the Ka Mate Haka as part of it was spine-tingling and memorable.
William Tell
Guest
Just want to sing it after the Haka - the way Australian crowds used to do it with John Williamson.
William Tell
Guest
OK Jacko - so it was the All Blacks and Tonga. Yep, amazing by all accounts. Not allowed now, I understand - even if the responding party were to start off behind the 10 metre line and advance to and stop there. But that encounter seems to me to reflect the real meaning of the Pacific nations' hakas - and there is a nice balance in terms of the opposition of similar challenges. Not so the situation with the All Blacks haka. As I noted earlier, and has been reflected elsewhere, performing the Haka for supporters, rather than directing it at the other team, aligns with traditional practice and respects its cultural significance, rather than converting it into a psych-up routine. As for orienting the direction of the haka - it used to be made in the direction of the main stand. So it could be made to the stand where guests of honour are seated (eg the Royals in the UK) or the IRB/national board representatives elsewhere.
Wal
Roar Guru
Yeah agree the welcome to country before the tests was long overdue.
Wal
Roar Guru
The Haka today is a far cry from the versions prior to Buck Shelford, because Buck felt the way the AB's were performing it was disrespecting the history and honour of performing it. The changes were brought about to show respect and honour to the tradition and culture. Nothing to do with intimidation and brand management. Take some time to educate yourself about what they mean, both the AB's Haka's are about personal triumph and inner strength not anything overtly external or menacing. Check out a Powhiri on-line some time it is a welcome but to ignorant Anglo eyes can be interpreted as menacing.
Max
Guest
Well said Simon. Agree wholeheartedly. Despite what some (Kiwis) would say, for those not from the same culture, it overwhelmingly appears over choregraphed and commercialised. Best let the Kiwis and other polyanesian teams chant their haka to their crowd support if they so wish and opposing teams should prepare in their own way. It is certainly not part of the Aussie culture, nor most team's culture to stand and listen to a group of players perform it. It is meaningless to most and not unsurprisngly contrued as 'in your face' and over aggressive. Because it is over-hyped, the reality is that it is used by teams performing it to out-syc the opposition. This is the deception. Best to let teams perform it (for their own benefit and that of their supporters) if they so wish, while opposing teams go about their own preparations.
Jacko
Guest
Haha ask him about anything . The answer wont make sense tho lol
Jacko
Guest
Funny you say that. Yet its you doing those things to the NZ culture and no NZers doing that to your culture
Jacko
Guest
Neil. It is amazing how much effort is put in to attempt to discredit the Haka by yourself and a few others. If me and a few of my mates dont like something about the Wallabies, or the Aus culture and tradition, are you willing to change it just to suit me? I personally dont like the word "Girt" and that has to go. That "walzing Matilda" song which constantly gets sung at tests in Aus is an embarrassment from my perspective, but I choose to accept and respect these things as part of another mans culture and I move on from it. You appear to be happy to have some has-been or wannabe rock star doing a song or two but want to denigrate the Haka? Just close your eyes, block your ears, or turn off the tv for a few minutes if you are that "over it"
Jacko
Guest
NZ v Tonga in Brisbane in 2003 was amazing. Two sides going eye to eye with their haka's. Hair-raising to say the least. Also I think it was the first game at the 2011 cup as well.