All Blacks perform haka in locker room

janbo1960 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006

New Zealand's All Blacks have completed a clean sweep of their European tour with an easy win over Wales in Cardiff.

But the result was overshadowed by the latest controversy over the team's distinctive pre-match ritual - the haka.

The stirring Maori challenge has been an part of the All Blacks' tradition for a century.

Local rugby officials in Cardiff insisted it be performed before the Welsh national anthem and not immediately before the kick-off, which is the tradition.

So instead the All Blacks performed the haka in the dressing room.

Skipper Richie McCaw said while it was sad the fans could not share the team's important spiritual preparation, the decision was made to protect the tradition and significance of the haka.

Controversy has dogged the haka all season from complaints about the throat-slitting version, to its use in an Italian campaign to sell cars to women, and even a tongue-in-cheek Australian TV swipe at the All Blacks which showed them preforming the haka with handbags.

Marcella-FL · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject:

Methinks Wales should have been more concerned with their performance than the HAKA!

I would have been PISSED if I didn't get to see my beloved All Blacks do the haka if I were there!

I love watching the opposing team "stand strong" against the haka as much as the haka itself.

Marcella-FL · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

for faceless ...

the Scots' response to the haka:

Skylace · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA

I've always enjoyed watching the haka. It's a shame the fans missed out on it.

faceless · admin Joined: 25 Apr 2006

IRiSHMaFIA · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006

faceless · admin Joined: 25 Apr 2006

haha, I saw that a while back, but it's still really good

"You cannot get better than a kwik-fita fitter a!"

IRiSHMaFIA · Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2006