Kiwiagogoland

Much is being made of last weekends rugby results and many feel the the impressive displays are due to controversies surrounding the pre match Haka, which apparently made all the difference.

The Rugby League World Cup win, New Zealands first, was made all the more sweet, due to the fact that we beat the Aussies on their own soil in the final to take the trophy. It was the biggest upset in years and NZ had lost heavily in the same match weeks prior during the group stages. The Kangaroos had advanced arm in arm towards the Kiwis during the Haka, coming within touching distance, in a show of defiance.

Meanwhile, in Rugby Union, the Welsh thought they had come up with a cunning plan to un-nerve the All Blacks. The tradition is that the players will not turn away until after the opposition players move to take up their positions. However, the Welsh coach (a former AB) knew this and told his captain to stand his ground. The inevitable and seemingly controversial standoff ensued, finishing only after the referee had to man handle to captains away, some 2 and a half minutes later.

The British press, who for some reason see the Haka as merely pre-match entertainment, are now likening the All Black embellishments to that of a tribal war dance...... erm, that's EXACTLY what it is! Sure, Kapa o Pango (which was composed for the New Zealand Rugby Union a couple of years ago) lacks momentum and is longer than the original Haka, Te Rauparaha's, but the meaning is the same - its a challenge to the opposition.

This all leads to Kiwi's claiming that there is now a lack of respect for their culture, but the Haka's overuse by all sports teams (it was used at the Olympics) is being identified as the cause of the new disrespect. Basically the novelty and entertainment value for opposing teams (and their supporters) is wearing thin. If the practice of the Haka is not moderated, there is likely to be increasing disrespect. And, as the editorial in this weeks New Zealand Herald says, The Haka is too important to risk that.

Anyway, neither response was enough to stand in the way of either Kiwi team, as the AB's now look set for a Grand Slam, the only team in their way? ...... England!