BBC Blog - The origins of the haka

[callsign.springbok]

Is Peter de Villiers right? Yes
Should he have said it? Not this way

I think the thought behind the whole Haha debate is its value. When the All Blacks do it, its absolutely amazing but when marching bands start doing it, it goes too far. On a side note: I think it would be more special if they only performed it on tour. Now it is becoming more of a formality in stead of tradition. I don't mind them doing the Haka at the RWC though. It's amazing but it would be more breathtaking if we only saw it once or twice a year.

I agree, and would also add that because of the 3N and now 4N format that Wallabies and Springboks see it too often. I hope, unlikely as it is, that we revert to 'traditional' tour structures - in this way only playing the All Blacks every 2 years. So only making the trip to play tests against NZ in NZ every 4 years - it would really add a lot to the passion, including the haka and the response.

I hope the IRB changes the 10m ruling, as it seems after the discussions that players and fans on all sides do appreciate a response. Hopefully there won't be future occurences of the Cardiff 'changing room haka' either.

When the Aussies had that guy wandering around the field playing 'Waltzing Matilda' was that before or after the haka was performed? It was definitely after the anthems.

 

[TRF_heineken]

When the Aussies had that guy wandering around the field playing 'Waltzing Matilda' was that before or after the haka was performed? It was definitely after the anthems.

Yeah! that was the lamest response ever!!

 

[Icemn]

I think this is where people get it wrong... I think the haka is more for the the NZ team than to scare the opponent, it is what the haka means and does to them... i'm sure the AB gets fired up and motivated/motivated/hungry to play/etc when they do it... what the other teams/nations feel/do/experience/etc is irrelevant... well that is what I feel and believe, cuz i know in my heart my boyz are fired up when they do the haka, but I might be wrong... So PDV can get his beard trimmed for all I care maybe when can then atleast hear wtf he is saying most of the time...instead of concerning him about AB culture and heritage...

 

[callsign.springbok]

Yeah! that was the lamest response ever!!

At least we didn't give Bok van Blerk a guitar and a cowboy hat and let him wander towards the 22 in his vellies singing De La Rey
I believe it was in 2002 that the Durban test against the ABs saw a group of Zulu warriors doing a war dance with spears arranged around the Sprinboks as the haka was performed. I thought it was great but unfortunately haven't seen it again? (on a side note, I believe it was the same test that Piet van Zyl and his notorious boep made an unwelcome entrance to the playing field)

 

[jawmalawm24]

I think the Haka has lost alot of it's sting and it's all just formalitites now. I use to love watching the All Blacks perform the haka but it's everywhere and to be honest it's kinda getting played out. It's just like how everybodies getting Maori tatoo's, heaps of my mates have them now like it's a fashion statement. I like it when the All Blacks perform Kapa O Pango because it's different even thou it's been around for what 6 years now? Haka is a big part of culture in Nz but I can sort of understand what PDV is saying, he's just trying to tell it like it is and I wish other teams would stand up to it because that just motivates the All Blacks even more

 

[nickdnz]

Know it's an old ad, but I still giggle. I'd have mean respect for Scotland if they answered like this.

 

[jawmalawm24]

Know it's an old ad, but I still giggle. I'd have mean respect for Scotland if they answered like this.

Willie Jackson and John Tamihere would probably have a go at them if they did. Personally I'd love it if they replied like that to us too. The most recent response I liked was when the Welsh just stood there and both teams just steered at one another. November Tour 2009? I think it was can't remember what year but that was pretty cool

 

[JW.]

Hahaha.

It's a real shame that the IRB has disallowed teams to challenge the haka, some of the most intense moments in international Rugby come from standing up to the haka. Shame people don't back it up afterwards, but still awesome. I always make sure I get up that minute earlier to see the haka, love it. Altough seeing boys (btw aren't only MEN allowed to do the wardance in maori culture?), marchingbands etc. doing the haka it does lose a bit of ... something.

 

[callsign.springbok]

It's a real shame that the IRB has disallowed teams to challenge the haka, some of the most intense moments in international Rugby come from standing up to the haka. Shame people don't back it up afterwards, but still awesome. I always make sure I get up that minute earlier to see the haka, love it. Altough seeing boys (btw aren't only MEN allowed to do the wardance in maori culture?), marchingbands etc. doing the haka it does lose a bit of ... something.

Agreed, all the flash mobs doing it at the start of the WC seem to be trivialising if not mocking.

 

[Tricia McMillan]

Yeah! that was the lamest response ever!!

Australians should do something like this:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England should have a couple of these guys on the pitch during it:

 

[Saintjay]

Or morris men, god knows they freak me out

and it is our traditional dance sort of.

 

[lynam1104]

I love the Haka on it's own but when there's a response it creates something different, huge intensity comes out and just sends chills down you spine. I don't think that marching band should of performed it just to entertain while I know that it's not the actually meaning of the Haka I think it throws down a challenge for the other team.

What would the IRB/ref should a team break the 10M rule

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Willie Jackson and John Tamihere would probably have a go at them if they did. Personally I'd love it if they replied like that to us too. The most recent response I liked was when the Welsh just stood there and both teams just steered at one another. November Tour 2009? I think it was can't remember what year but that was pretty cool

 

[Shaggy]

I love the Haka on it's own but when there's a response it creates something different, huge intensity comes out and just sends chills down you spine. I don't think that marching band should of performed it just to entertain while I know that it's not the actually meaning of the Haka I think it throws down a challenge for the other team.

What would the IRB/ref should a team break the 10M rule

The IRB (wrongly in my opinion) fined the Australian womens team for breaking the 10m rule in their game against the Black ferns in the 2010 womens world cup ... i'd imagine that they'd do something similar to "offenders" at this RWC

 

[Seaton]

Know it's an old ad, but I still giggle. I'd have mean respect for Scotland if they answered like this.

When was this advert made?

If it was only made after my post in the NZ vs. All Black, I'm sueing for theft of intellectual porperty!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I watched this game in the pub and everyone went off, they loved it, it really builds up for that first tackle

Personally i dont mind what the other team does short of actually starting a fight, if they "disrespect" it that will just phych the AB's up more.

I actually like it when the other team sings, thats being their version in a way, i just dont like it when the song is played on the sound system (not often seen i admit). It should just be the two squads facing each other.

 

[Teh Mite]

England should have a couple of these guys on the pitch during it:

Knights Templars?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yes

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Like the Crusaders do before a S15 match... It brings something extra.