The Haka holds special significance for the All Blacks, and it has almost become a larger spectacle in itself.
It is meant as a ‘show of physical prowess but also an embodiment of cultural pride, strength, and unity’, according to 100% Pure New Zealand, but there are growing calls for it to be taken out the game, or for stronger responses to it.
The most recent advocate of this is England prop Joe Marler, who took to X last night to air his thoughts – shall we say – on the haka.
Good logic here from @JoeMarler – the haka is bad but it’s bad because opposition players (him) don’t respond to it properly pic.twitter.com/ZeNN3Qoqrq
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) October 29, 2024
There has also been a recent viral video coming out of rugby league in which the Samoa Siva Tau went head-to-head – quite literally – with England. This clip has now been seen by over a million people on social media.
INJECT IT.
Serious tension between England and Samoa in the League earlier on.
Bring back haka face offs in Union. pic.twitter.com/cSX14kXPLM
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) October 27, 2024
But these got us thinking, what are the most iconic haka responses and controversy? Well, let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?
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England 2019
The inspiration for this list comes from an Englishman, so let’s kick it off with the most iconic English response to the Haka. In the 2019 World Cup semi-final, England formed a V shape in response to the Haka, and also saw skipper Owen Farrell smirking during it. Eddie Jones’ side would later go onto win the game 19-7, in one of the most dominate displays against the All Blacks.
Irish responses
Ireland have had some of the most memorable Haka responses in history. The first came in 1989, when the Ireland team walked up together into the faces of the All Blacks. The second came in 2016, as Ireland formed a figure of eight in memory of former player and Munster coach Anthony Foley in their clash against the All Blacks in Chicago. Ireland would also later claim a historic 40-29 win. They also repeated this during the 2023 World Cup, however, New Zealand came out with a 28-24 win that time.
Joe Marler slams ‘ridiculous’ All Blacks haka as England star calls for war dance to be ‘binned’
Changing room Haka
In 2006, the All Blacks were forced to perform the Haka in their changing room following a dispute with the WRU. In the previous meeting in 2005 – the centenary Test between the nations – the All Blacks had accepted a request to do the Haka between the national anthems, however in 2006 they refused and wanted it to return to its normal position. After a stalemate, senior All Black leaders opted to perform it in the changing room before heading onto the pitch.
Wales 2008
The changing room incident wasn’t the only time the Welsh capital has seen a notable Haka. In 2008, Wales and New Zealand squared off for a solid two minutes after the Haka had finished, and only moved at the referee’s request. Despite the standoff, the All Blacks claimed a 29-8 win over Wales that day in Cardiff.
Sébastien Chabal
In 2007, France faced New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals, but one man took the Haka to heart. The ‘caveman’ Sébastien Chabal stared down the All Blacks during the Haka. This will also go down as one of the most intense Haka’s in recent times, with the All Blacks stood within touching distance of their opponents. Ultimately, the French had the last laugh as they beat New Zealand 20-18.
David Campese warm-up
This one comes a bit closer to home for Planet Rugby, with regular columnist David Campese making the list. The iconic Wallaby ignored the Haka during his side’s clash with the All Blacks in the 1991 World Cup, and opted to carry out a kicking warm-up instead.
Springboks misstimings
The most recent Haka controversy – on the pitch that is – came in the 2024 Rugby Championship as New Zealand faced South Africa. Fireworks and music went off around the ground, as well as the pre-planned flyover of an A380, which drowned out the Haka completely. The SARU later apologised for the incident, stating human error. The Springboks later claimed a 31-27 win.
Munster haka
Rounding off this list is the infamous Munster Haka. During a friendly between Munster and the All Blacks, the Irish provinces’ New Zealand contingent performed their own Haka ahead of their opponents. New Zealand were made to fight for the win though, and only just edged an 18-16 win at Thomond Park.
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