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Tue 19 Jun 2018 | 03:15
Incredible mass Haka challenge from Auckland schools in annual derby clash

10
Comments

Ahead of their annual derby clash, King's College Auckland and Auckland Grammar School faced off for their traditional Haka exchanges pre-match, setting the scene for the 206th 1st XV meeting between the two schools. The pride, passion and tradition on show are something to behold.

While this all takes place before kick-off and it has nothing to do with actual rugby skill, it gives us an insight into the way the sport is viewed in the country, and how important schoolboy rugby, in particular, is to them.

Bucket list: Get to Auckland to watch this annual match in person.

Also, see if you can spot a former Sharks, London Irish and South Africa player at the end.

Posted By: Grant Constable

10 Comments

  • aotea
    12:03 AM 23/06/2018

    You do realise there are female hakas - never seen the black ferns?

  • aotea
    11:42 PM 22/06/2018

    "they say it is heritage" oh how very arrogant and condescending of you!!

  • aotea
    11:38 PM 22/06/2018

    im1 then dont watch it - its not your culture as you arrogantly yawn so why post a comment telling us how bored your are - mate get a grip im sure it doesnt affect your life!!

  • breakaway
    1:37 AM 21/06/2018

    It is heritage in the sense that NZ rugby teams have been doing a pre-match haka since at least the 1880s. During most of the 20th century it wasn't approached with any real conviction or organisation, and it shows. Embarrassing is the word. Many things around the game of rugby were very amateurish back then, not necessarily in a good way, and the haka was no exception. In the 1980s All Blacks captain Buck Shelford took the matter in hand and insisted the haka conform with Maori cultural protocols, which changed things immediately.

  • andinov
    11:23 AM 20/06/2018

    What's also interesting are the young women in the video. I'm unsure of the relationship the haka (as a war cry before battle) has with women in New Zealand culture. Never occurred to me before

  • drg
    10:32 AM 20/06/2018

    It's actually embarrassing and painful to watch that video..

  • dirtyflanker
    9:20 AM 20/06/2018

    They say its heritage etc but has anyone ever seen the Hakas from the 70's. they are woeful today they are musical productions.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htCTWZqCMhQ

  • im1
    8:15 AM 20/06/2018

    yawn - how do they find the time to actually play rugby, which above all else is just a game

  • drg
    1:44 AM 20/06/2018

    "While this all takes place before kick-off and it has nothing to do with actual rugby skill, it gives us an insight into the way the sport is viewed in the country, and how important schoolboy rugby, in particular, is to them."

    I know my comment may be seen as a bit of a downer, but that (above) reminded me about something I read about the darker mental health issues that can be found in young males in NZ because of the pressures either put on them by others or put on them by themselves in how they feel they have to fit a certain mold because of how the country is so very much focussed on rugby.

    Anyway, I know I detract from this video, but thought it might interest folk to look into it as we're all supposed to be pushing forward on awareness men's mental health etc.

  • danknapp
    8:19 PM 19/06/2018

    This is much better than my school's production of The Sound Of Music.

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