Response to haka gets a tick

He might not be happy about the scoreline but a Ma¯ori researcher has applauded England’s V-formation response to the All Blacks’ haka.

Massey University physical education lecturer Jeremy Hapeta (Nga¯ti Raukawa, Nga¯ti Huia and Nga¯ti Pareraukawa), who has carried out research into haka use in sport, said while England’s encroachment past halfway could have broken rugby laws, the response was not disrespectful.

“For whatever reason, they keep them far apart these days, but certainly from a Ma¯ori perspective I don’t think many across the motu will be offended.

“Haka are about laying

Michael Neilson down a challenge, and they require some sort of response. I think this was a great way for the English to accept the challenge, it showed they did not want to stand there and be passive, but wanted to channel the All Blacks’ energy.”

Hapeta recalled a 1997 test when All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt and English opposite Richard Cockerill came close enough to hongi.

That incident nearly led to blows and forced rugby officials to ensure players were kept apart during haka.

In 1989 Ireland captain Willie Anderson also led his team right up to the faces of the All Blacks, prompting captain Buck Shelford to say: “If they want to come up let them come up — it’s fine as long as no one touches anybody ... save that for the game.”

Other responses to the haka include Australian fans singing Waltzing Matilda and, during the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour, captain Brian O’Driscoll picked up some grass and threw it in the air after the team had been told it was an appropriate way to respond.

Unfortunately, minutes later O’Driscoll was badly injured in a tackle by Tana Umaga and Kevan Mealamu which was linked to his haka response by British and Irish media.

Hapeta said England’s win could disprove the long-held theory the haka gave New Zealand an edge and could lead to more teams adopting their own response.