NEW ZEALAND CAPTAIN Kieran Read says England ‘can do what they like’ in response to the Haka at Twickenham tomorrow (kick-off 3pm, Sky Sports) after Eddie Jones sneered that the Spice Girls could be singing pre-match for all he cared.
The Haka, a Maori challenge, has long formed part of the pre kick-off routine of New Zealand, the reigning world champions.
Previous England-New Zealand clashes at Twickenham have seen home fans attempt to drown out the Haka with a rendition of their adopted anthem of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’.
But Jones, well used to the sight and sound of the Haka in a long career that has also encompassed stints in charge of his native Australia and Japan, insisted it would be the last thing on his mind as kick-off approached.
“At that stage of the game, they could be playing the Spice Girls and I wouldn’t know what’s being played,” Jones said.
“They’re making a comeback aren’t they, the Spice Girls?,” he added of the girl band, who first achieved chart success in the 1990s.
“Maybe they could sing at that time. It’s got no relevance to me at all,” said Jones ahead of the first England-New Zealand match in four years.
When Jones’ comments were put to Read at New Zealand’s team hotel in London on Friday, he replied: “We do the Haka as a challenge but it is more about us connecting as a team.
“The opposition can do what they like. It’s part of the history of the game for us as New Zealanders.
“I certainly get a kick out of it and I’m sure the crowd does as well. Whether they sing or what, it adds to the atmosphere.
“For me it’s a great part of the game,” the number eight added.
Yet for all Jones’ japes, the question of how opposition teams respond to the Haka has long been a thorny issue.
Back in 1989, Ireland captain Willie Anderson had his players link arms and advance towards the Haka — a stirring sight but one that didn’t stop New Zealand winning 23-6 in Dublin.
Two years later, prior to a World Cup semi-final, Australia great David Campese ignored the Haka completely, preferring to kick a ball behind his own posts.
The Wallabies won, before beating France in the final.
As Lions captain, Brian O’Driscoll tried throwing a blade of grass in the air, symbolising the picking up of the traditional white feather, ahead of the first Test in 2005. Many took that as a lack of respect and, within a minute, O’Driscoll’s tour was over following a controversial ‘spear’ tackle by New Zealand captain Tana Umaga.
France were even fined for their response before an agonising 8-7 loss to New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup final in Auckland.
Les Bleus were supposed to remain behind the 10-metre line in their own half, but they advanced towards the All Blacks in a ‘v-formation’ led by captain Thierry Dusautoir.
France were subsequently fined £2,500 for a “breach of the tournament cultural ritual protocol”.
England are unlikely to emulate Richard Cockerill, who in 1997 confronted All Black forward Norm Hewitt during a Haka at Old Trafford — a match that England lost 25-8.
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If that happened at a soccer match they would be called hooligans!
They ARE hooligans… Wtf has the Mascot done to anyone??
They’re school boys. Of course they’re hooligans. Nothing wrong with that.
Padhraig, the difference is, that not a single punch, kick, spit or bottle was fired. It’s harmless banter between 4 young lads and they all walked away from it to cheers from the crowd.
If that happened in a soccer match, he would have smashed a beer bottle over his head.
Sign him up !!
Lol that first guy got thrown down by the mascot and then by the coach, sit down ya knacker
Listening to Irish schoolboys at a rugby game sing ‘Who are ya?’ in their best English accents? Priceless! XD
That’s the stuff. Clobber the clowns.
Public schoolboys pretending to be English by chanting in English accents. Pathetic stuff really
Benny hill, what’s a “public schoolboy”?
Public school boy takes on a different meaning when you mention England, Benny, so you’ve confused us all. However, St Fintans is a public school in that it is non-fee paying. It’s by and large a GAA school, so the lads there certainly don’t pretend to be English. Ultimately, Benny, I think you might be a snob?
Good tackle. Karma…. If you are not in one of the teams you have no right to be on the field. In Australia if you run onto the pitch you get banned from the ground for 2 years. South Africa banned the spectator who tackled the ref (he didnt like the refs decisions) in the All Blacks game in the early 2000s but didn’t enforce it as he was often seen at games after that. Personally i think attacking the ref during a game is several steps worse than just running on the field.
Really? Are you sure attacking someone is worse than running on s field? Must have taken a lot of soul searching to come to that conclusion.
Fintans Fintans Fintans Fintans
Contest Needed: the Mascot is from St Fintans High School, my old school. Cheers
…sorry?
Oh right I thought it was that dog that ran after the deer in london.
That was Fenton
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