Rugby pre-match dance off?

Question

Do you think that this ritual dance before a game should be allowed? Or does it benefit the other side who in turn become pumped up with their aggression?

Answer 1

I’m an ex- south Auckland born and the Haka was in all our big games with St Stephens and Wesley Collage.

Yes – it dose give the team performing it the advantage and good for them.

We as rugby players all take advantage of what it takes to get us ready for the big game, weather it’s in the changing room or on the field.

Some of us may like to listen to music and some may want to bang their head against the wall. I enjoyed a meat pie to get me ready. What ever it may be what we do, we all pump ourselves up with aggression.

So is it wrong for the All Black to display it publicly?

I believe the Haka was first performed in England as back in those days they had no idea what a Maori looked like.

It wasn’t one of the greatest performances of the Haka, but Buck Shelford soon changed that. I believe he helped take the level of the All Blacks mana to another level, bringing out the full meaning of the Haka, combining team to being one.

And like Buck said, you don’t have to watch it if you don’t like it.

Answer 2

I love watching it it's the only bit i watch.

Answer 3

It's just a tradition - jeez

Answer 4

The Haka is always entertaining to watch and all part of the fun. I reckon England should have one, I am sure they could come up with some intimidating gestures and words if they studied some football fans abroad.

Answer 5

It is tradition and entertaining..........does not seem to pump up the opposition at all, as the All Blacks prove!

Answer 6

It is meant to pump up both teams... it gives none of them an advantage. These ritual dances that have been performed by these men since their tribal days! It is as important to them as singing the national anthem. No one is stopping England, Australia or South Africa from performing their own ritual dance.

Here is the meaning behind the 'Haka' It can be taken as a song of praise for the opposing team. It is based on an ancient anthem.

"Ka Mate" Leader: Ringa pakia!  Slap the hands against the thighs!

Uma tiraha!  Puff out the chest!

Turi whatia!  Bend the knees!

Hope whai ake!  Let the hip follow!

Waewae takahia kia kino!  Stamp the feet as hard as you can!

    

Leader: Ka mate, ka mate  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â™Tis death, ‘tis death (or: I may die)

Team: Ka ora, ka ora  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â™Tis life, ‘tis life (or: I may live)

Leader: Ka mate, ka mate  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â™Tis death, ‘tis death

Team: Ka ora, ka ora  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â™Tis life, ‘tis life

All: Tēnei te tangata pÅ«huruhuru  This the hairy man that stands here...

Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¦who brought the sun and caused it to shine

Ā upane, ka upane  A step upward, another step upward

Ā upane, ka upane  A step upward, another step upward

Whiti te rā, hÄ«!  The sun shines

this is what they actuall sing nowadays in rugby matches... and it is not actaully the HAKA it is the Kapa O pango

"Kapa o Pango" Kapa o Pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau!  All Blacks, let me become one with the land

HÄ« aue, hÄ«!  do one

Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei!  This is our land that rumbles

Au, au, aue hā!  It’s my time! It’s my moment!

Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei!  This defines us as the All Blacks

Au, au, aue hā!  It’s my time! It’s my moment!

I āhahā!  

Ka tÅ« te ihiihi  Our dominance

Ka tÅ« te wanawana  Our supremacy will triumph

Ki runga ki te rangi e tÅ« iho nei, tÅ« iho nei, hÄ«!  And be placed on high

Ponga rā!  Silver fern!

Kapa o Pango, aue hÄ«!  All Blacks!

Ponga rā!  Silver fern!

Kapa o Pango, aue hÄ«, hā!  All Blacks!

Answer 7

If it is the Hakka, then it not so much of a dance, more a religious prayer. People have a need to identify with their own team, both players and supporters.

Answer 8

I've just seen the New Zealand Haka against Romania, and the All Blacks then scored a try, two minutes into the game.

I can't say it benefited the opposition, but the crowd certainly seemed to appreciate it given the level of applause they received.

They probably should continue to allow it, as its an accepted part of the international game, and it's good to have different national identities on show like this. Do you think maybe England should do a Morris Dance before their games as well?

Answer 9

It certainly pumped up England last night; they 'walloped' Tonga!

Answer 10

Due to the team (New Zealand i presume) being a tribal nation, the use of the HAKA is to frighten the enemy and to show that the warriors mean business. I think that these teams do add a bit of flare to a pre match kick off