'Get in their faces': Former Wallabies coach's alternative suggestion to kneeling ahead of All Blacks clash
Former Wallabies coach and controversial broadcaster Alan Jones has urged Australian players to “take a stand against the haka” – rather than taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement – when they face the All Blacks in the third Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday.
Ian Foster’s side need one victory from the remaining two tests Down Under to retain the Bledisloe Cup for an 18th year, following a draw in Wellington and a comfortable 27-7 win a week later at Eden Park.
In a column for The Australian, Jones, who last year drew flak from all quarters for his comments about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, encourages the Wallabies to “get in their faces” during the haka, adding he doesn’t believe the All Blacks “have any right issuing a challenge to the Wallabies on Australian soil”.
The shock jock announced his retirement in May after more than 30 years in the industry – shortly after telling his listeners Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison should “shove a sock down the throat” of Ardern.
Leading in to this weekend’s clash at ANZ Stadium, there were suggestions the Wallabies would take a knee during the national anthem in support of the global BLM movement.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie later confirmed the team would remain on their feet, and instead would be honouring the country’s indigenous people by donning their indigenous jersey for just the second time on home soil.
Jones, however, wants to see the side stand up in defiance of the challenge laid down by the All Blacks’ haka.
“Rather than taking a knee or wearing the indigenous Wallaby jersey, take a stand against the haka,” Jones wrote.
Their pre-match haka has long been a feature of the All Blacks’ game-day, regardless of whether they are playing on home soil or abroad – as do nations such as Samoa, Tonga and Fiji when they are performing their cultural challenges.
While they are doing so, their opposition are required to keep a 20m distance under World Rugby regulations.
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There have been several occasions where the All Blacks’ haka has been challenged in some way. Ahead of their semi-final at last year’s World Cup, England stood in a V-formation to face the haka to show they were ready to fight; France did the same ahead of the 2011 World Cup final.
Four years earlier, France walked up to the All Blacks and stood face to face with them as they were laying down the challenge.
In 2008, Wales stood rooted to their spot after the All Blacks finished laying down their challenge, leading to an awkward stand-off between the two as the referee attempted to tell them to get in position for the game to start.
Australia have mounted their own challenge in the past, including in Wellington in 1996 where the Wallabies turned their backs on the haka – focusing on their own warm-ups instead. The All Blacks won the game 43-6.
While it has become a big feature of the All Blacks, Jones wrote that he thought it was extraordinary World Rugby allowed the All Blacks to perform it ahead of every game regardless of location.
“Remember, they get a national anthem as well,” he wrote.
“I would like the Wallabies to go “old school” on Saturday. By that I mean standing up to the All Blacks when they perform the haka.
“Why should they have to stand 20m away? I would be saying to the team, get in their faces.
“The Wallabies have to make a stand on Saturday. It starts before the kick-off; it should start during the haka. If World Rugby wants to fine the Wallabies, then so be it. Wallaby supporters would pay the fine 10 times over. We just want to see our boys play with passion and belief.
“I mean no offence to the All Blacks. They are a wonderful side. New Zealand is a fine country and we have the best of relationships. But, nonetheless, I do not believe the All Blacks have any right issuing a challenge to the Wallabies on Australian soil.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Must be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to comments