Hoo-ha over haka leading up to first test

The All Blacks have threatened to withdraw their famed haka from tomorrow's pre-test rituals against Wales.

That warning occurred because Welsh officials tried to change the order of events for the Cardiff test, in a bid to defuse the intimidation factor the All Blacks generate with their haka.

Welsh offficials, led by former NZRFU chief executive David Moffett, wanted the haka performed before the national anthems as the teams celebrated 100 years of test rivalry.

Since the haka was restored in the mid-80s as a pre-match highlight under the encouragement of Wayne Shelford, it has been the last action before a test starts.

Many opponents have remarked on the psychological effect of the haka and a number have tried to come up with some counter.

The Wallabies have turned their backs, the Irish and English have walked up to be in the face of the All Blacks while the Lions fanned out in a semicircle at Christchurch this year.

However, this week the Welsh advised the All Blacks they should perform the haka before the anthems are sung at the Millennium Stadium.

The All Blacks' reaction was the haka will be withdrawn if there is a change.

The standoff is the latest attempt to undermine the All Blacks as they begin their quest to repeat the Grand Slam last achieved in 1978.

When the All Blacks arrived in Britain last week they encountered renewed criticism about the double tackle by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu which ended the Lions' tour for skipper Brian O'Driscoll.

Four months after the "spear tackle" went unpunished, the British media used video footage which suddenly emerged and excerpts from O'Driscoll's book to resume their censure of the All Blacks.

As the tourists prepared to play Wales in a test to commemorate the controversial 1905 meeting between the two countries, local officials delved into their tactical book.

The roof of the Millennium Stadium was due to be closed for the test but it was left open as Cardiff suffered from a week of heavy weather.

The surface of the ground was rated between tacky and slushy by observers, conditions which may help the Welsh with the rhythm of the match.

This international has become an immediate evaluation of the All Blacks' philosophy aimed at developing greater player depth for the 2007 World Cup.

Debate is still strong about whether this tour should be purely about the attempt at the Grand Slam, preparation for the next World Cup or a mixture.

Have the All Black selectors displayed the arrogance they have accused the public of indulging in, are they guilty of over-thinking the game or are they just being practical?

First-choice picks like Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams and Aaron Mauger have been bypassed through choice or injury for this test as the tourists tackle the Six Nations champions.

Risks for the All Blacks are the lack of matchplay for many of the side, such as Umaga who has scarcely played in the last two months. Five-eighths Daniel Carter has a similar history since his broken leg and Byron Kelleher must step up strongly if he is to repel the growing halfback challenge from Piri Weepu.

Locks Chris Jack and James Ryan need to restate their international calibre after low-profile NPC campaigns.

Then there are questions about whether newcomers Chris Masoe and Neemia Tialata can cut it at this level and whether the widespread changes for the next test against Ireland will benefit the flow of the squad.

THE FEAR FACTOR

* The haka intimidates opposition

* It provides a lift for the All Blacks immediately prior to the match

* Often opponents try to defuse its power

* The Australians leave their tracksuits on, then remove them, giving a time lag between the haka and the start of the match

* Opponents have also tried turning their backs