Seven of the most chilling, thrilling or seriously ill-thought haka responses
England have been fined for crossing the halfway line in their response to New Zealand’s haka before last week’s World Cup semifinal.
From ignoring the haka to performing one of their own, opponents down the years have come up with innovative ways to face down the pre-match ritual.
Here are some of the best ripostes to the ancient Maori challenge:
Do one yourself
On New Zealand’s 2008 tour of the British Isles, Irish provincial side Munster had a unique idea to counter the haka: do one yourself.
Munster had in their ranks four New Zealanders, who stepped out before the All Blacks had a chance to set up the dance and performed a haka of their own as the crowd roared its approval.
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The ploy almost worked on the pitch as well – Munster were just minutes away from replicating their famous 1978 win over New Zealand before a try from wing Joe Rokococo gave the All Blacks a 20-18 victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=66&v=13fGHSqHTwA
Don’t move a muscle
Also on the 2008 New Zealand tour, Wales came up with their own innovative response: an absolute refusal to budge after the haka was completed, resulting in a stand-off lasting several minutes.
As both teams stood stock-still facing each other, referee Jonathan Kaplan remonstrated in vain with the captains to get the game started but neither wanted to blink first.
Eventually, the game kicked off in an electric atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium but the pre-match antics did not help the home side, with the All Blacks winning 29-9.
https://youtu.be/44wEloTNrOc
Ignore it
At a 1996 Bledisloe Cup match in Wellington, Australia decided to completely ignore the haka, performing their warm-up drills in their own half instead of facing up to the challenge.
It echoed a famous moment in the 1991 World Cup when star Wallaby David Campese drifted away and started practising his kicking as the All Blacks laid down the haka.
This riled up the New Zealanders more than any other response to the haka, as they felt it showed disrespect. Perhaps feeling some extra motivation, they trounced the Aussies 43-6.
Wallaby captain John Eales later described the action as his biggest regret.
https://youtu.be/0zwz5e82JWo
The wedge
The first known counter-challenge to the haka was by Ireland in 1989 when they formed a V-shaped wedge and moved slowly towards the All Blacks until their captain Willie Anderson was nose-to-nose with his opposite number.
Words were exchanged after the haka was finished, whereupon Anderson leapt into the air and whipped up a packed Lansdowne Road crowd to a frenzy. To little avail: New Zealand won 23-6.
https://youtu.be/-fg4FyhZ-Kg
The World Cup wedge
France added extra spice to the 2011 World Cup Final in Auckland when they advanced – slightly haphazardly – towards the All Blacks during the haka.
The move cost France a fine of 2 500 pounds ($3,200) and prompted officials to lay down regulations separating the two teams during the haka. In the end, France also lost the game 8-7.
https://youtu.be/kjVqZkDZrgg
Cockerill’s clash
The closest a haka challenge has come to blows was in 1997 when combustible English hooker Richard Cockerill advanced right into the face of opposite number Norm Hewitt, chuntering away throughout the dance.
The pair clashed heads and had to be separated by England captain Martin Johnson, who pushed Hewitt away as the English went back to receive the kick-off.
https://youtu.be/9hOZRHpleH8
Start your’s early
In the 2003 World Cup, Tonga upstaged the haka by performing their “Sipi Tau” war dance simultaneously, to the delight of the crowd in Brisbane.
The Tongans were supposed to wait until the haka was complete before starting their response but no sooner had the All Blacks uttered their “ka mate”, they spontaneously launched into their own dance.
England weren’t punished for responding to the haka, as some people still seem to believe, but for crossing the halfway line:
Comments on RugbyPass
I think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to comments