Secret's out: how the All Blacks decide which haka to perform
All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has revealed how the team decides which haka they will perform before each test match.
Viewers and fans have often speculated as to why the traditional Ka Mate haka is performed over its newer counterpart Kapa O Pango.
Some say the more personalised Kapa O Pango is reserved for more highly-respected opponents while others claim the reverse is true and that Ka Mate is the preferred choice for the side’s biggest occasions.
However, Smith has blown those theories out of the water, revealing a starkly simple decision-making process for the haka on the Rugby Bricks podcast.
“It’s not as built up as people think. Obviously the haka is very special to the All Blacks but it’s not our priority,” he said as part of a lengthy interview.
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“The captain selects it, selects who to lead it. As we run out (to the Captain’s Run) he’ll say what haka we’re gonna do, ‘this week we’re gonna do Kapa O Pango’… or Ka Mate, it’s not in a meeting or anything, it’s just said then. And TJ [Perenara] goes around and says where you’re gonna stand.”
And it turns out there is one surefire way to predict when that captain will opt for the traditional Ka Mate haka.
“If new guys come in we practice it with them. So if we’re playing a first test and it’s some guy’s first game we’re not gonna do Kapa O Pango because we don’t need him scared about playing and scared of doing the haka, because it can be quite overwhelming.
“New Zealanders have all done Ka Mate when they’re drunk or as a kid… we’ve all done it at a party… we all know Ka Mate, but Kapa O Pango’s a whole other kettle of fish.”
That story largely checks out with Ka Mate performed every time a player has debuted in the side for the past two years, except for one occasion when Angus Ta’avao made his first appearance in black.
The haka has long been a controversial part of All Blacks culture with critics claiming it is overused, provides an unfair advantage, and has been commercialised by New Zealand Rugby.
Irish rugby writer Ewan McKenna listed all three of those factors in a column for Pundit Arena in September.
MacKenna said the haka had “been ruthlessly exploited and commercialised and ultimately cheapened.
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“There’s a practical reason why the haka shouldn’t happen as, while it provides a psychological edge through self-inspiration and via an attempt at opponent intimidation, it also provides a small physical edge as others are forced to stand still and go briefly cold.”
The haka even has local objectors with former All Black Joe Karam believing it should be spared for special occasions.
“It’s become a PR, branding, money-making exercise as opposed to something which could add much more value if it was treated respectfully for particular occasions which could be the last game of a tour or perhaps the first game of the year or whatever it might be.
“Now the focus of the All Blacks appears to almost be more on the haka; they must spend hours and hours practising.”
However, Smith’s revelations put to bed the idea that the All Blacks spend too much time focusing on the haka.
“We do a lot of work at it early in the season and then we’re like ‘cool, we got this’. And you never forget it.”
Indeed, once the international season is underway, it is only rehearsed a single time before each test match and it’s not even a full-noise version – it’s actions only – as the players can get a little too pumped up if they perform it at 100 per cent.
“We do it at captain’s run… so it’s not like you go into a game and haven’t done it since last Saturday.
“Captain’s run day you practice everything you would do, pretty much, for a game. So warm-up, we’d go out, you’d have your own time, come do the haka, go straight into captain’s run, get a kick-off, exit.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Plenty of critics have had their say on the haka in the past:
Comments on RugbyPass
The current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
1 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to commentsThose ears must give him great field awareness
1 Go to commentsFrench international centre Maelle Fillopon is death, too.
1 Go to comments