Editorial: Parody of haka hideous

Former England Rugby team captain Matt Dawson and his Battersea Ironsides club perform the Hakarena ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Once again, just like clockwork, the English rugby community has embarrassed itself and shown just how much respect it has for the best rugby side in the world.

Decidedly average former England halfback Matt Dawson, and a team of clowns dancing about like a pack of failed Morris dancers without the handkerchiefs, have made a mockery of themselves and the All Blacks haka in an attempt to promote the Rugby World Cup in England.

This is a recurring theme. Just last year the haka was described by The Telegraph's Oliver Brown as a "circus display" and in 2010 BBC commentator John Beattie said it was a "silly one-way exercise in threatening behaviour".

The list goes on.

The offending "dance" is known as the "hakarena" and is set to the tune of one of the worst songs ever written, The Macarena.

The depth of their stupidity is astounding. For one, if they wanted to fire the All Blacks up even more, then they have done a great job. I hope the All Blacks get to play them at some stage and I bet Mr Dawson is glad he is no longer playing.

More importantly, it's also culturally inappropriate.

In the offending video clip Dawson says: "They are using it to intimidate us. They think they've got an advantage over us. They think they've won the game before a ball has even been kicked."

Granted, many All Blacks interviewed about it are not letting it get to them and are concentrating on the matches ahead. But I have to agree with Sir Pita Sharples that it's "shameful and insulting".

The true meaning of the haka has been ignored for comic value and in my opinion it's just not on.

The haka means more to New Zealanders than just a silly dance, as it has been portrayed by Dawson.

I wonder what sort of flak they would have got if they donned some traditional Native American clothing and took the mickey out of those cultures?

What do you think?
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