Dirty dancing: Why the All Blacks' Haka takes the flakka

New Zealand's pre-match ritual takes up valuable air time at no cost. If they must make a song and dance over the recreation of a throat-slitting ceremony, let them pay for the the privilege.

by Greg Smith on 12 May 2008

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As a Springbok fan, I've had to endure probably a million Hakas of all shapes and states of inebriation and as with my very first, I'm not impressed.

'As for the message of the Haka - slitting your throat and hiding in a hole - in Johannesburg that's like a stroll in the park'

As a party trick, OK maybe, but on the rugby field, I've had enough. Periodically the Haka comes under attack from those wondering if they could disarm the All Blacks. What would the All Blacks be without the Haka? I wouldn't like to be the first team to find out.

Someone needs to ask the tough questions and when it comes to the Haka, I have more than one and I think, as much as the Kiwis will hate this, they are legitimate.

My first legitimate question about the modern Haka has nothing to do with the violent, throat-slitting insidious nature of the thing, but more seriously about the economics of it. Who is paying for the Haka? Television airwaves cost big money. A global transmission must cost $10m a minute. The All Blacks as far as I can tell are getting away with murder. They get about $50m worth of free advertising each time they take to the field and if I was a sponsor, I'd slap a big Adidas billboard on them just for it.

Comments (6)

by Racist on May 13, 2008

It's one thing to live in dreamland with your constant crap about how great you think the Springboks are - it's another thing to be racist to Maori tradition. I look forward to the Canes and Crusaders wiping your Super 14 faces, and the All Blacks to smash your cheating boks.

by Fridge Magnet on May 13, 2008

Greg old son, you are totally clueless in what you write and should save your energy by not writing such boring, un-informed tripe again. The Haka is to be respected and encouraged and not degraded as you try in this heap of bovine excrement disguised as an article... and NO, I'm not a Kiwi or Aussie, from Kiwi or Aussie stock or a fan of the All Blacks. Just somebody who wants the traditions of the game to run and run. Stand-by to have your collective clocks wiped when the British & Irish Lions hit town next year.

on May 15, 2008 on May 15, 2008

I am really regretting reading this whole thing. Obviously you have too much time on your hands in Disneyland Greg. Your on another Planet, possible a Black and White one!

by David de Mattos on May 15, 2008

What is it with the constant cry of racism and dirty tricks. On and on and on.To the winner go the spoils. We won, you did'nt. Stop moaning and rebuild. South Africans are good at rebuilding. And lifting the Webb Ellis Cup twice, well I think thats proof enough. The end.

by Mr T on May 16, 2008

Id hate to be a african

by JACQUES MCCARTHY on May 21, 2008

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE HAKA LOOK ELS WEAR

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