All Black Ma'a Nonu was upset with Wales' response to the haka in Cardiff last week. Photo / Getty Images

All Black Ma'a Nonu was upset with Wales' response to the haka in Cardiff last week. Photo / Getty Images

LONDON - New Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu has warned England not to copy Wales' dramatic response to the haka when the teams meet at Twickenham this Sunday (NZT).

What to do when the All Blacks are performing their traditional pre-match challenge has often proved a problem for opposition sides.

Last weekend Wales stared down New Zealand after they finished the haka and, with neither side appearing to move, it needed the intervention of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw to end the stand-off as referee Jonathan Kaplan desperately tried to get the game underway.

The unimpressed Tri-Nations champions eventually ran out comfortable 29-9 winners at the Millennium Stadium, a victory that left New Zealand on the brink of a grand slam this weekend after victories earlier this month over both Scotland and Ireland.

Nonu said he suspected Wales coach Warren Gatland, himself a New Zealander, has been behind the haka response which he added would have caused "hurt" to All Black fans watching the match on television at home.

"What the Welsh did wound us up," the 26-year-old, who will again wear the No 12 shirt this weekend, told reporters at the squad's hotel.

They were probably told by (Wales coach) Warren Gatland to stand there and wait until we leave," he said.

"But it was really hard. The Haka is a war dance.

"If you're going to stand there like that then in the past people would have charged, but it's a rugby match and you can't do that.

"People back home will have been hurt by what they decided to do. Standing in the way like they did is asking for a fight.

"My blood pressure was pretty high but then I regained my composure. I was a bit upset about it.

"If I was facing the haka I'd respect it. The haka is the haka, after that it's game time. If England want to do that they can - but they'll probably get the same response."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry said he hoped Wales' response would not set a precedent.

"The Welsh thought that was the best way to respond, I just wanted to know when the game was going to start

"It took someone with common sense, the All Blacks captain, to get things going," the former Wales coach said.

"We don't need that every week. I hope a copycat situation doesn't occur. It's time to move on and be more sensible."

- AFP