Too much haka

The All Blacks and the haka go hand in hand. But how long should it stay that way? Kiwi rugby fans are no strangers to hearing calls from the UK and Australia to red card the All Blacks’ traditional pre-game challenge.

Those sentiments are again echoed in respected British journalist Peter Bills’ new book The Jersey.

But for the first time, those who have actually performed the prematch haka reveal their frustrations.

Before his death last year, Sir Colin Meads told Bills he believed we were becoming “haka-ed out”, while former test prop Kees Meeuws said its overuse had led to it losing its mana.

Meeuws — who played 42 tests for the ABs — suggested we revert to previous traditions where the All Blacks only performed the haka before clashes overseas (as they did prior to the 1987 Rugby World Cup).

The All Blacks’ mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka goes so far as to say some who have worn the black jersey in recent times hated the performance.

It’s not only the mass use of the haka — both before games and in PR campaigns by the All Blacks, NZ Rugby and their sponsors — which have seen Bills and some of those quoted in his book question the challenge’s future.

Is it fair in the current rugby environment for the All Blacks to keep their opposition waiting, where the difference between winning and losing can come down to smallest of margins and where losses can lead to the end of coaching and test playing careers?

Former Irish star Tony Ward points out the haka is a psychological weapon, and the ABs also warm up by doing it. The opposition in contrast have to wait — often in bitterly cold conditions — while the All Blacks go through the motions.

The points made in Bills’ book may be hard for some Kiwi rugby nuts to swallow. To even consider such views feels like an act of betrayal. But as the All Blacks prepare to kick off their Rugby Championship campaign next weekend, they should be debated.

Yes, the haka makes us proud. But should the All Blacks still have the right to do it before every match? It is becoming increasingly hard to justify.