Junior All Blacks Haka comes under fire at the U20 World Championship

New Zealand’s Baby All Blacks are staring down an early exit from this year’s U20 World Rugby Championship.

Falling heavily to France in round two by a score of 35 – 14, the Kiwi’s will need to defeat Japan and have several results go their way to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Whilst their performance on the field of play is certainly below the sky high standard set of any New Zealand team. Tt has been their pre-match Haka performance that has drawn the ire of Rugby fans around the world.

Labelled as ‘ridiculous’ the elongated Haka has been condemned as more of a ‘TikTok’ friendly show than a rugby tradition.

Rarely seen a New Zealand team physically dominated like this. France have been superb. Makes the never-ending Haka before the game look all the more ridiculous

— Rúaidhrí O’Connor (@RuaidhriOC) June 29, 2023

Taking over two and a half minutes to complete, the Haka many felt has lost its effect.

Based on the performances where they beat a Welsh side who lost all five of their Six Nations fixtures by a single point before being thumped by France.

This is a poor New Zealand team…. Wales almost beat them in first game.

— Downpatrick67 (@denb243) June 29, 2023

The Junior All Blacks have been accused of spending more time practicing the Haka than their rugby.

Too much time Tiktok’ing by the Junior All Blacks?

The costume changes and the mid-Haka refreshment break is taking too much out of them.

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— Owain Glyndŵr (@IgtIan) June 29, 2023

Agree. FYI Did a poll yesterday. pic.twitter.com/5y0HLOGP5d

— Michael Sheridan 🇮🇪🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@MiSheridan) June 29, 2023

Think the Hakka prior to rugby matches has had its day. We see it so much now, it’s no longer this mythical call to battle.

Obviously for New Zealand culture it’s very important, just my opinion in advance of rugby games.

— Keith McCormack (@Keith_MC) June 29, 2023

the haka is a disgrace rud.

— Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) June 29, 2023