FEW PEOPLE WILL argue against the opinion that New Zealand were deserving winners against Australia last weekend.
However, one particular aspect of their victory seems to have bothered the Australian public.
It stems from criticism by Sydney Morning Herald columnist Paul Sheehan, suggesting the throat-slitting motion, with which New Zealand players currently choose to end the haka, is unacceptable.
And to add insult to this criticism, Sheehan – not at all bitter after Australia’s loss at the weekend – pointed out that “96 per cent of the world does not care about rugby” and wrote:
“Thankfully Australia’s hopes and passions are spread across multiple sports. We have already moved on from the World Cup. New Zealand must live and die with its All Blacks.”
It is the latest in a series of criticisms of the New Zealand haka, which suggest it should be banned, given that it is perceived to constitute unsporting behaviour.
So what so do you think? Does Sheehan have a point? Should the haka be banned?
Poll Results:
Watch New Zealand perform the haka against Australia below:
Australians are probably the worst losers in the world. This is truly pathetic. They are such bitches when they lose and so ungracious and smug when they win. Thank god they are so far away , about a mile from the sun.
I think it should be allowed but the opposing team should be allowed to come up with something as well..
Riverdance?
Ireland aren’t allowed to play 2 national anthems, what are the all blacks allowed perform the haka
wasn’t there an incident once were the team the kiwis were playing chose to ignored the Haka and turned there back on them, this of course was highly insulting to the kiwis as you have to stand there and be intimidated by them while they do there little song and dance. I think Ireland should do the Macarena from now on or maybe rock the boat or the thriller routine
If you didn’t get goosebumps during the hakas before the last Munster – All Black game your dead on the inside.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13fGHSqHTwA
I think it should be allowed but as Daniel said other teams such as Ireland should be allowed to elongate their intro if their is a valid reason for it.
Also the 10 metre distance the teams have to keep from each other during the Haka should be removed.,
I think they should be allowed to keep doing it, grown men dancing around, waving their arms, slapping their knees and growling, absolutely hilarious.
This new Kapa o Pango isn’t a patch on old reliable Ka Mate, throat slitting or no.
It’s gone way too aggressive, have a look at what it was like even. Few years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Lr11VgWoA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The Haka has become incredibly aggressive in the last few years, it should stay but it needs to be reeled back.
Just have a look and see how more ramped up its become since this was made let alone what it was like in the 70s
.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Lr11VgWoA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
It definitely confers a ps