All Blacks: British writer takes aim at haka

StephenJones claims opposition towards the haka is growing. Photo / Getty Images

A British rugby writer has labelled the All Blacks' haka as the 'instrument of the worst kind of sporting arrogance'.

Sunday Times writer Stephen Jones has slammed the All Blacks' traditional pre-match routine which is linked with the side as far back as 1884.

In his column for the English newspaper Jones says that the All Blacks have turned the haka into a ridiculous bout of pre-game posturing that has no place in rugby today.

"...the haka has changed, profoundly. The All Blacks and their followers have made it a self-important bore and instrument of the worst kind of sporting arrogance," Jones wrote in his column over the weekend.

"And symbolically, it sometimes stops just short of an exhortation to murder. In one of its versions, it ends with the players making graphic throat-cutting gestures."

Jones claims opposition towards the pre-match ritual is growing.

"One recent critic of the haka refers to a 'politically correct lunacy' and a 'cynical stage-managed circus'.

"Another calls the haka 'a bad joke' and another said the team performing it are like 'preening ninnies'."

The latest critique of the haka may be just what the All Blacks need ahead of Sunday's clash with England following their last minute loss to Australia in Hong Kong.

Jones takes issue with the All Blacks' view on teams approaching the haka stating 'the rules are always conveniently changing' and that 'one day they are happy when teams advance on them. Another day, they rage that this is disrespectful'.

Jones goes as far as suggesting the Welsh Rugby Union were 'courageous' for standing their ground in 2006 over a battle with the New Zealand Rugby Union to have the haka performed before the Welsh national anthem.

The All Blacks instead did the haka in the changing rooms. 'An insult to Wales' and 'to their anthem' Jones says.

Jones also implies the tackle that dislocated Brian O'Driscoll's shoulder in the opening British and Irish Lions test in 2005 was a reaction to the Irish centre picking up grass and throwing it after facing the haka.

Jones ends the column by saying: "When will New Zealand realise that nobody cares anymore? And that it is their fault for betraying their own ideal of the game."

- Herald online