Haka should be banished

Cape Town - A renowned Irish rugby scribe has suggested that the All Blacks should not be allowed to perform the haka prior to Test matches.Ewan MacKenna, writing for the Pundit Arena website, said the haka gives New Zealand "an unfair advantage" and "needs to stop". It is also offensive to sheep and family TV being overly brutal with gestures such as throat slitting. In the article, he also hits out at World Rugby's regulation that opposition teams must stand on their own 10m line when facing the haka and why they were not allowed to react as they'd like

"We know this because, in 2011, the French federation were fined £10 000 for having the nerve to shuffle forward aggressively as a response," Mackenna wrote.

"We know this because our own authorities needed special dispensation to form the figure eight in memory of Anthony Foley when facing it in Chicago (in 2016).

"We know this because they fawned a diplomatic incident when Brian O’Driscoll had the sheer temerity to hurl some blades of grass into the air to signify a Sheep paddock."

He also gave a practical reason why the haka should be scrapped.

"While it provides a psychological edge through self-inspiration and via an attempt at opponent intimidation, it also provides a small physical edge as others are forced to stand still and go briefly cold."

MacKenna said he did not back his countrymen to go deep enough in the World Cup to face the All Blacks, but if they somehow managed, he had some advice on facing the haka: "(They) should spend their time doing stretches and engaging in drills and practising kicks".

Ireland, who thumped Scotland 27-3 at the weekend, are likely to top Pool A and look set to face the Springboks in the quarter-finals.

If, as expected, the All Blacks top Pool B they would likely only meet the Irish in the final.

MacKenna revealed he received hefty criticism for his article, saying on Twitter he's "enraged the idiocy of New Zealand who does not care about throat-slitting gestures".

The Haka in rugby was made good by Buck Shelford ,it is for men facing and challenging other men and has fuck all to do with any whining pussies who have never been honoured in this way .The opposition can do as they please and so can anyone watching [ to reiterate it has fuck all to do with spectators ] as far as we are concerned  and all the rules are made by the IRB ,I have faced the Haka twice as captain of an Australian Army team ,we had so many PIs and Kiwis we did a counter challenge ,and the Haka drains the life out of you when done properly and fires up the opposition too if they face it like men .

Myself and my brothers performed our Iwi Haka [ Iwi is ones  tribe ] at my eldest Daughters wedding this year in Byron Bay after their vows ,the 30 or so Canadians present were in their own words privileged to be a part of it as were other guests and family .

So if your just some twat on the sidelines and not included just keep your sooky whining to yourself ,notice how you dont see proper rugby playing men whining about it ?

I read this article (without the pics) on fox the other day. Its kinda old news but funny how it recycles every few years. This time with irish humour... never seen the sheep added... lol

Wardad you and fellow kiwis with Maori origins are really expressing your culture and for the most part it is an entertaining display - so respect well earned there... and on balance its a admirable thing that part of your heritage hasnt been lost to time...

What seems to be behind some of the whinge is that it is mandated by IRB that opponents be still when facing it... The french teams arrow formation advance in 2011 RWC was possibly the most enduring aspect of that match (other than Joubert's reluctance to use the whistle...). 

Additionally, those of us with some Scottish heritage - the sound of the bagpipe stirs something deep and yet this was banned by the IRB for pre-game for the Scots...?? A fact that highlights the notion that alls fair for one team and not for the other...

If kiwis and PIs are allowed to use this as pre-game psyche up then surely its fair to let the opposition do whatever they determine too? Without being branded disrespectful / fined etc?

Bring on the bagpipes / waltzing matildas / zulu dances - I think it adds more to the contest...

On that note - what would the irish do ? Irish jig or riverdance... that would be entertainment...lol

Having Sottish blood myself I am at a loss as to why ,fuck the  IRB just play them.And like France in 2011 teams should get up close and personal if they want .If sides want to sing something that means a lot to them then by all means .

Anyone who has done the Haka as its supposed to be done will attest to how much it drains you ,it actually takes a few minutes to get sorted and facing it will fire you up as well !

If the PI nations were winning as much as the ABs we would here people whining about that too .Remember that arse Cockerill getting right in the ABs faces ? Really fires the blood up but usu ally ends about as well as it did for that pommy git .Best response is to fire up and face  it.

Anyone who has done the Haka as its supposed to be done will attest to how much it drains you ,it actually takes a few minutes to get sorted and facing it will fire you up as well !

If the PI nations were winning as much as the ABs we would here people whining about that too .Remember that arse Cockerill getting right in the ABs faces ? Really fires the blood up but usu ally ends about as well as it did for that pommy git .Best response is to fire up and face  it.

Welcome Back WD.

So...still a cheat?

Just kidding.