Haka

Peter B

What is the story with the different NZ hakas? To be honest I think the old one where they all jump up at the same time was the coolest. The one they used for the lions lour and the one they used in the Tri-nations is quite crap compared to the old one.

Anyone agree?

Talliesin

Yeah, not as good - and I only watch rugby for the Haka (turning over once the actual match starts).

They're all watered-down versions of the real thing apparantly (that would be done before a battle).

aoa321

As far as I'm aware some of Maoris close to the All-Black team felt that original haka where they jumped up in the air was being done incorrectly. Therefore it was slightly modified (presumably the jump in the air was taken out at this stage) and that was the haka they were doing before the Lions matches - the "correct" version of the original haka.

The one that they did before the SA game on Saturday was an entirely original haka written especially for the All Blacks rugby team. The translation of the words that they are saying/shouting is to do with the pride of the warrior who wears the black shirt, apparently there is also seems a mention of the silver fern.

The current team have practiced this new haka over the last 12 months but only performed it once, last Saturday. As far as they are concerned it is a new addition to the lore of the All-Black team but is not meant to be replace the original haka, it will be performed occassionally but is not meant to replace the old haka.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

CJhaughey

The Original haka was specifically applicable to only 2 of the tribes. So what this Haka attempts to do is to integrate all the players being as not all of them are Maori,and not all of them are from the two tribes that the original was written for, although all of them are New Zealanders.
So the defining theme is pride in the black jersey.
The womens rugby team the black ferns also have their own haka.


Kapa o Pango -

KIA WHAKAWHENUA AU I AHAU!
HI AUE, HI!
KO AOTEAROA E NGUNGURU NEI!
AU, AU, AUE HA!
KO KAPA O PANGO E NGUNGURU NEI !
AU, AU, AUE HA!
I AHAHA!
KA TU TE IHIIHI
KA TU TE WANAWANA
KI RUNGA KI TE RANGI E TU IHO NEI, TU IHO NEI, HI!
PONGA RA!
KAPA O PANGO, AUE HI!
PONGA RA!
KAPA O PANGO, AUE HI, HA!

Let me become one with the land,
This is our land that rumbles,
And it’s my time! It’s my moment!
This defines us as the All Blacks,
It’s my time! It’s my moment!
Our dominance,
Our supremacy will triumph,
And will be placed on high.
Silver fern!
All Blacks!
Silver fern!
All Blacks!

joe90

There Are many types off Hakas in New Zealand depending what tribe or area you are from.most off the High school have there own Haka that are done before matches etc...Cant wait for the AB to play here in november.

Talliesin

CJhaughey wrote:

The womens rugby team the black ferns also have their own haka.

Ah, that's a change. I remember talking to a New Zealander who told me she wasn't allowed to do the haka when she played rugby in school - it was male-only.

KnowItAll

I think it's stupid. It's probaly supposed to intimidate their rivals but if any rugby player finds that dance intimidating they should not be playing for their club nevermind international.

*When the haka was first used by the all blacks the players were embarassed

CJhaughey

What do you find stupid about the Haka?
Most people enjoy the Haka and it's Pacific island variants from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.
I always found the Haka to add abit of colour.

kazzer

It's probaly supposed to intimidate their rivals but if any rugby player finds that dance intimidating they should not be playing for their club nevermind international.

Well I would sh!t it.

Amz

Talliesin wrote:

Ah, that's a change. I remember talking to a New Zealander who told me she wasn't allowed to do the haka when she played rugby in school - it was male-only.

Yeah, women aren't supposed to do the Haka at all. Its a tradition reserved for men. I doubt what the women's team do is actually called a Haka.

kmart6

KnowItAll wrote:

I think it's stupid. It's probaly supposed to intimidate their rivals but if any rugby player finds that dance intimidating they should not be playing for their club nevermind international.

*When the haka was first used by the all blacks the players were embarassed

How is it stupid???

Most teams become very intimidated by it,some players finding it hard to evem look at it out of fear.

They may have been embarassed then but now they take extreme pride in what they are doing.

The best reaction to the Haka ever in my personal opinion was Keith Wodd just walking up and down by the Irish team while they faced the New Zealanders. It was considered dis-respectful but should that he could'nt be intimidated!!!

Talliesin

Amz wrote:

Yeah, women aren't supposed to do the Haka at all. Its a tradition reserved for men. I doubt what the women's team do is actually called a Haka.

The women's team could do poi dancing. With lit pois. That would be pretty cool (as long as no one messed up and set something or someone on fire they shouldn't have).

Peter B

KnowItAll wrote:

I It's probably supposed to intimidate their rivals

I actually heard it is not to intimidate their rivals but to get them in the right mindset before a match. It obviously has both effects.

You could see from a sports psychologist point of view it is perfect for team building and pre-match psych-up.

Years ago, when the All Blacks playing an Irish, Scottish or Welsh team (bad memory), did one of the teams perform a take-the-piss haka? It was funny until they got thrashed!

Cork Boy

Was it Mick Doyle or Moss Finn or someone who walked up to the Kiwi captian after a Haka here and pulled a boquet of flowers from behind his back and presented it to the captain!!!
Classic legend or myth?

Snickers Man

Cork Boy wrote:

Classic legend or myth?

Sounds like a myth.

There was a famous occasion in the late 80s early 90s when the team captained by Willie Anderson linked arms and advanced while snarling on the Haka as it was being performed. That much is definitely true. Legend has it that Anderson stood on the Haka leader's toe, thereby preventing him from jumping up at the end of it. It was Wayne Shelford.

New Zealand won, as they always do, and if memory serves the Irish team were chastised for 'disrespecting' the haka and it was later decreed that opposing teams should not advance into the NZ Half while the haka was being performed.

I think it's a load of old bollox that should stop right now. It's a primitive way of psyching up a team before a physcial contest -- all well and good-- but it supposedly represents some sacred representation of Maori culture that is outraged by anything other than total deference being displayed by the opposing team. Is that any way for the opposition to meet the challenge of a bunch of big galloots psyching themselves up into a frenzy?

The All Blacks have to make up their minds: if the haka is something sacred, keep it for the church; if it's a means of getting the juices flowing for the battle ahead, you can't expect the opposition to kneel down and bow their heads before it.

Given what happened to B O'Driscoll at the Lions Test because, according to the Maori Golfer who won the US Open the week before he may have 'disrespected' the haka however inadvertently, the All Blacks have got to be shown that the other countries aren't going to fall for their bull**** any more.

If they didn't like O'Driscoll tossing a sprig of grass into the air, how would they like it if the entire Irish team threw a sod of earth at them as they finish the haka next time we play? In October.

bluedolphin

hear, hear, snickers man. well said. total agree.

Mungaman

"I think it's a load of old bollox that should stop right now. It's a primitive way of psyching up a team before a physcial contest -- all well and good-- but it supposedly represents some sacred representation of Maori culture that is outraged by anything other than total deference being displayed by the opposing team. Is that any way for the opposition to meet the challenge of a bunch of big galloots psyching themselves up into a frenzy?"

"the All Blacks have got to be shown that the other countries aren't going to fall for their bull**** any more."


Mate I know your only writting comments on a website discussion board but quite frankly I find your comments offensive. Who are you calling primitive? or the actions? Your " supposedly sacred representation" comments are that of an ill educated ignorant fool. If you'd like to discuss your assumption on our culture I'd be more than willing to meet and discuss with a number of my close Maori friends and we'll see what opinions may arise.

Stupid cr*p like this isn't in the spirit of the game nor any resemblance of respect for another culture. I hope we get a fantastic game at Landsdowne that is played hard fast and with passion. No doubt Ireland are going to push it to the limit and try and beat the All Blacks for the first time.

I also know that the comments above are not fully representive of the views of the majority of people using boards or the Irish rugby public.

Steffano2002

Personally, I like seeing a good Haka before a match. Only saw it live once in Paris during the 2002 Autumn Internationals (final result France 20-20 NZ). I think it should be respected by both the players and the public.

I see the Haka in rugby as a rugby tradition. I don't like hearing people saying "it's sacred, it should nor be done on a rugby pitch" or "it's not sacred enough for us to respect it", etc.

As I said, I like seeing the Haka and I'd be very sorry to see it go... It is always extra special for any team to play the All Blacks and when the Haka starts, you tell yourself "that's it, it's on now!". I love it!

And it makes it extra special when you beat them as well! I still dream of the 1999 semi-final to this day...