O
O'Rothlain
Guest
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...27/srhaka27.xml
What's the deal? Let's discuss this...!

What's the deal? Let's discuss this...!
The haka is a genuine moment of theatre in sport – of which there are too few – not a contrived, perverted product of some marketing executive; an historical challenge with meaning and menace. It is a privilege to face and, for me, was as inspirational as my opposite number, the ultimate for a true competitor.[/b]
I may be wrong, but when we've played teams that perform a haka, haven't they gone last some times?We wouldn't like Western Samoa coming over here and telling us that they get the last Haka.
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I personally liked David Kidwells reply to Willie Masons reply to the Haka better...Must have been a huge disappointment not to see the Haka, strange days indeed.
Yup, WRB did contact two Maori elders about the correct protocol for the Haka, they both advised that Wales returning the challenge of the Haka with the Welsh National anthem is a fine example of 'protocol'.
The problem is that the WRB wanted to have the Haka performed between the national anthems, and that's where it went pair shaped.
The correct protocol is that you respect your nation first and then your team, which to us means you sing your national anthem, the country you are playing sings there's and then you move onto performing the Haka (it's easy... remember country first and then the players).
The two elders are on record as saying that this is what they advised the WRB as well.
If Wales had sung their National Anthem whilst the AB's where performing the Haka then there would have been no problem, no problem at all - they would have been returning the challenge.
It could be considered arrogant for the All Black players to take the stance that they did but for mine what they did was correct. For the players (AB's) there is a huge amount of respect and pride in the heritage and protocol of the Haka, to have it shifted or played around with is only going to cause offence.
Everyone that follows rugby knows the passion that Wales has for the game and for the AB's to take the stand they did then I thought it showed a lot of balls.
Will try and find some further information about the protocol of the Haka if anyone is interested, as it can be very confusing... and also surprising what is 'acceptable' in returning the challenge.
The best return of the Haka in 2007 in my books goes to Willy Mason of the Australian National Rugby league team during the Tri Nations Rugby League series who took the challenge and eyed his opposite number and promptly yelled at him to "get f&*ked".
Great reply.
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The Haka is ours and we will not be told when we are to do it.
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Yep we sure do....nope if it was everyones then they would have accomodated the Welsh fans, but it is ours NZ's and i think youll find the majority of NZ supports them in their decision.
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