All Blacks haka ‘a beautiful thing’ for Kiwi Baabaas
Andy Ellis loved it. Julian Savea nearly wept. It’s one thing doing the haka as an All Black. It’s another staring it down from the other side of the equation.
A total of five former All Blacks lined up among 13 Kiwis for the Barbarians against the All Blacks yesterday. For them all it was a surreal experience.
‘‘I didn’t know what to expect,’’ said Baabaas skipper Ellis who played 28 tests for the All Blacks. ‘‘I was next to Jules and just before it started I said to him ‘this is actually pretty cool’. It was awesome. It’s a beautiful thing. I got to stand there and look the boys in eye and really enjoy it, and embrace it.’’
Savea also found facing the haka a little surreal.
‘‘I caught the eye of TJ [Perenara] leading the haka and sort of got emotional. It’s something I’ve never done before, and it’s a little bit intimidating, because being a Kiwi you know what it means,’’ he said.
Ellis, who’s now plying his trade in Japan, spoke eloquently about the special nature of the Barbarians.
‘‘The whole experience of the Barbarians is just amazing. From day one when everyone comes together there’s a nervous energy and by day two everyone’s best mates, arm in arm, having a great time together. Then comes game-day there’s music in the sheds, and smiles everywhere.
‘‘The way I like to describe it is I feel like I’m seven years old again and running out on Hagley Park in the frost playing rugby because I love to play rugby. That’s pretty special and hard to capture in the modern professional age.’’
The Barbarians players were in good spirits after the match with the Kiwi contingent coming together in the Twickenham dressing rooms for a haka of their own. Savea fronted the challenge with attitude, something All Blacks coach Steve Hansen wants to see more of from the big wing.
Savea, a 54-test World Cup winner, has been challenged by Hansen to have a big off-season and rediscover the enjoyment factor.
‘‘I’ve been enjoying myself in terms of my rugby the last three months. To be in this environment it’s even more special. I couldn’t be more happy,’’ said Savea, who confirmed that he was planning to play the Barbarians’ next match against Tonga in Limerick on November 10.