Ban forces rugby juniors to do haka in changing room

Haka are special and are 'performed by special teams', says regional rugby official Dave Syms. Photo / APN

A junior rugby team representing the Bay of Plenty will perform their haka in the changing room because of a ban on pitch demonstrations.

The squad, selected from teams in the Tai Mitchell primary schools tournament, cannot do a pitch haka at the under-13 Roller Mills tournament because rugby bosses say players under 16 don't have the maturity to handle the emotional side of haka.

Performances had led to assaults at previous tournaments, they said.

Coach Cliff Honey said his team would obey the tournament rules "but only because we have to".

He said haka were part of the Bay's culture and tradition and were performed as a challenge and as a tribute. "It gives our boys great team spirit and is part of our build-up ... They can't wait to get on the field and do their haka.

"It's also a real atmosphere thing and everyone loves watching them."

The chairman of the Northern Region Junior Advisory Board, Dave Syms, said the ban had been in place for at least three years and teams were allowed to perform haka only inside their changing rooms.

"Haka are great but there is a time and a place. They are a special thing performed by special teams," Mr Syms said.

"They are not performed in the ITM Cup or at any other age-group level ... To be honest, I think their importance has been over-estimated, especially by parents and coaches."

The coach of the Rotorua Maroon Tai Mitchell team, Wayne Fell, said he could understand why the union had put the ban in place but felt placing guidelines around the performance of haka would be a better option, rather than banning them altogether.

He said there had been some issues with teams getting "a bit carried away" with haka in the past but at Tai Mitchell level, teams were instructed to do their haka behind the 10m line so confrontation could not occur.

"It seems to have done the job," he said.

"Every team has a haka and it's up to the team's coach or management to teach them what it's all about. I think it would be a shame to see it disappear."

Rotorua kaumatua Mita Mohi said it was "just silly" to ask players to do a haka in a changing room. "Of course they should be allowed to do haka on the field. This is very important for the future of our culture and for the pride of the boys representing us all."

Mr Mohi said haka were evolving and were not just used as a challenge any more. "They are a way for our youth to connect with their past. To hide it away in a changing room where they can't be seen is just silly."

Northland-based Labour list MP Kelvin Davis has called for the ban to be lifted.

The Roller Mills tournament is in Cambridge late next month.

- APN