ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A quick comparison between the Hakas of 1973 and 2011

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Aug 23, 2011

The All Black Haka, love it or hate it, it’s been around for a long time and isn’t going anywhere. But was it always so confrontational? Looking back, it would appear not, and this is where some find issue with it.

When it comes to watching New Zealand play, the Haka is one of the things I look forward to most. It’s a brilliant piece of showmanship that should be embraced. About thirty years back, things were slightly different though, and this is what annoys some rugby fans.

The usual response to criticism is that they’re still allowed to do it because they’ve always been allowed to do it. That’s a fair comment, but there is no doubt though that in recent times it’s changed drastically, and become a far more intense, physically intimidating challenge.

Buck Shelford was one of the first to pick it up a notch with the confrontational approach, and then in 2005 we saw the introduction of the Kapa O Pango , where Tana Umaga slapped the back of Rico Gear, and they all performed a throat slitting gesture. There was a small outcry, so the throat slitting stopped, but this year it’s returned, strangely enough.

Former Wallaby and current commentator Greg Martin recently expressed his desire for the Haka to be scrapped. He was clearly stirring and as with a lot of the things he says, his comments should be taken with a pinch of salt. They caused somewhat of a stir though, and re-ignited the age old debate about why they should be allowed to do it at all.

“They get an unfair physical advantage. The whole game of rugby is about male dominance over another man, and they’re there yelling and screaming and threatening and you’ve got to sit there and go: ‘Umm, this’ll be finished soon’,” said Martin.

“What’s so good about it? “If you want to go see entertainment go to the theatre. That’s what it is; it’s singing and dancing,” he added.

So whether you subscribe to Marto’s views, or choose to enjoy it for what it is, here’s a slightly comical clip that shows how dramatically it’s changed over the years.

Time: 0:57
Credit: The Rugby Club on Fox Sports

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 442 WEEKS AGO

    Southland Boys upset Otago Boys as Hakas...

  • 467 WEEKS AGO

    Emotional Hakas farewell Jonah Lomu at final...

  • 474 WEEKS AGO

    History repeats itself as All Blacks Haka...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 7 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 7 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

View All