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Thu 10 Nov 2016 | 07:57
Kiwi pundits rubbish Craig Dowd accusations of "Disrespectful" Haka vs Ireland

17
Comments

SKY Sport New Zealand's The Breakdown have taken issue with Craig Dowd's assessment that the All Blacks' pre-match 'Kapa O Pango' Haka was a sign of disrespect towards Ireland, claiming that it was in fact the complete opposite.

Saturday's match in Chicago saw an inspired Ireland team beat the All Blacks for the very first time. While the result was historic, one of the more touching moments was the pre-game Haka.

As usual, the All Blacks lined up to deliver their traditional challenge, but the Irish response was just another element that added to a very special day.

Forming a figure eight to honour the late Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley, it was the likes of which we had never seen before, despite various other Haka responses over the years. 

Unrattled and clearly playing for the great man, Ireland produced a fine performance for the ages.

Former All Black Craig Dowd took issue, however, with the particular Haka selected for the occasion, stating in his ESPN Scrum column:  "I have to say I watched the Haka and cringed.

"Someone didn't do their homework in the All Blacks camp. Knowing a little bit about the Irish mentality and having had a 64-Test cap veteran and ex-Munster coach Anthony Foley die recently, with all the players wearing black armbands  and having a moment's silence for him before the game, and knowing what that meant to the Irish team and the public, I thought pulling out the Kapa O Pango haka was disrespectful."

Scotty Stevenson from The Breakdown was frustrated by Dowd's assessment though, as he and guests labelled it "extremely ignorant" and "factually incorrect", and said that Kapa O Pango is purely ceremonial and not a war challenge, as Dowd has stated.

All Black legend Christian Cullen added: "That's a mark of respect for the Irish, for 'Axel' Foley... they bring it out (Kapa O Pango) for special occasions, when they know it's gonna be a challenge."

Opinions will always vary when it comes to the Haka. There are more than a few who believe it creates an unfair advantage and should be scrapped. However, most see it as part of the larger Rugby ethos and love the challenge it brings. Let us know what you think of Dowd's comments.

credit: The Tight Five Rugby Union

Posted By: davidharper

17 Comments

  • cluainoir
    12:40 PM 03/12/2016

    This is how a haka should be treated

    http://www.rugbydump.com/2008/11/756/munster-vs-the-all-blacks-haka-tries

  • drg
    1:03 AM 14/11/2016

    I guess the issue that is then created is that it will be seen as a sign of disrespect when they DON'T do it....

    AB's vs Italy.... chances are they won't break it out (it will be saved for the BIG matches), the world will get up in arms because clearly it's a sign that the AB's don't think Italy are a worthwhile or big enough opponent, i.e. they can defeat them easily, so why get riled up....

  • hedderball
    11:30 PM 13/11/2016

    To the comments that the Haka is overdone I suggest you watch the Haka performed before the Munster v. Maori All Blacks game. Fantastic ceremony - properly respectful of the occasion.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv1nlx-Ey54

  • larry
    10:12 PM 13/11/2016

    I have to say that the whole Haka thing is overdone, and not even fun to watch anymore. When it was done for select matches only it had more meaning, to me, but I've heard it from plenty of other people recently. When American football high school teams that have a few Samoan players start doing the Haka, one knows its performance has gotten well out of hand.
    A not-so-well known fact is that the ABs did the Haka only once during their 72-73 Northern Hemisphere tour, before the Barbarians match. Blame Buck Shelford: he took the Haka and turned it into some sort of "performance art." I mean no disrespect to those of Polynesian heritage, but anyone knows that when anything is overdone countless times over and over, its meaning gets lost in the process!

  • larry
    10:12 PM 13/11/2016

    I have to say that the whole Haka thing is overdone, and not even fun to watch anymore. When it was done for select matches only it had more meaning, to me, but I've heard it from plenty of other people recently. When American football high school teams that have a few Samoan players start doing the Haka, one knows its performance has gotten well out of hand.
    A not-so-well known fact is that the ABs did the Haka only once during their 72-73 Northern Hemisphere tour, before the Barbarians match. Blame Buck Shelford: he took the Haka and turned it into some sort of "performance art." I mean no disrespect to those of Polynesian heritage, but anyone knows that when anything is overdone countless times over and over, its meaning gets lost in the process!

  • drg
    10:31 PM 11/11/2016

    Really??? A stink caused because if one blokes opinion over which 'dance' (no disrespect) is performed....

    How bloody silly...

  • drg
    10:31 PM 11/11/2016

    Really??? A stink caused because if one blokes opinion over which 'dance' (no disrespect) is performed....

    How bloody silly..m

  • frenchie
    3:00 PM 11/11/2016

    As a Frenchman I totally agree in letting the opponent stand and react to the haka and think it's a great thing to do actually.
    Did you know that there's actually a fine when it's done?
    Funny to see that the AB adopted the V formation for their haka after the French used it against them...

  • joeythelemur
    3:35 AM 11/11/2016

    Dowd's point was that he thought KaMate was the more appropriate haka for the day. Nothing more or less really.

  • drg
    1:16 AM 11/11/2016

    Another part of the game i missed was the start...

    So I missed the start, the haka, the commentary...

    If I understand correctly, anthems, silence then haka?

    I don't see the issue here?!? NZ always do the haka yes... So why would they not do it? Foleys death was tragic, but it happens, he won't be the last great star to die, NZ had Collins and Limited very recently... Surely Ireland wouldn't want NZ to forego the haka? Or would they?

    So is it the haka that's the problem? Or the fact they didn't just stick with Kamate?

  • 10stonenumber10
    12:01 AM 11/11/2016

    The Irish commentary was very quick to jump on it. They weren't complaining about the message, rather the physical and psychological advantage it gives the team. It is scientifically proven to give an advantage, the brain switches on, you are working as a 23 man unit, the blood is pumping and the adrenaline is flowing. Belting out the anthem has a similar effect, but the pause between allows emotion to simmer down.

    Although given the size of the occasion, I feel Ireland were every single bit as pumped up standing in an 8 as the ABs were doing the haka. The problem is the throat slitting. To the outsider, yes, it is an intimidating action implying murder, though apparently it is a sign of absorbing energy from the elements. It is an easy mistake to make, we aren't taught polynesian history and culture in the NH.

    That is why the haka has become so prominent too. It is a reflection of the modern All Blacks, as well as New Zealand. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems indigenous culture wasn't taken all that seriously in the 70s, a story repeated across the world. Some of the old ones are like an out of time Macarena

    Let them have their moment. It's not like the oppo are stood there in fear getting cold, if you're not champing at the bit staring straight back, get off the field. You don't have to be doing a haka to get pumped

  • 45678
    10:56 PM 10/11/2016

    Social media maybe responsible, but we have had haka overkill in recent years

    Unfortunately New Zealander's in particular are so over sensitive about any critical comments towards a Haka. You only have to look at the ridiculous videos from the 70s to recognise the cultural significance given to it is modern. It has been adapted, choreographed to death and in my view represents a mental advantage and just a means to give the abs their own modern identity and culture. Most recent biographies about the abs would tell you as much

    It's a bit of theatre and I don't mind it existing in games, I just wish the Kiwis would mellow.

  • ronan
    9:20 PM 10/11/2016

    let them do their haka,
    but the opposition should have the choice to stand and watch it or continue the warm up.
    i dont agree with the opposing team being forced into standing to watch.

  • hoot
    4:47 PM 10/11/2016

    I think it's spot on. To deliberately take the mickey would be unnecessarily rude and disrespectful, but to take it as an aggressive challenge and respond in kind, i.e. showing that you are not intimidated and seeking to declare your own show of strength, seems entirely appropriate.

  • jimmy23
    3:57 PM 10/11/2016

    At the risk of kicking the hornets nest, what do you think of the crowd responding to the Haka?

    i.e. The Twickers crowd singing 'Swing Low' whilst it's being performed?

  • danknapp
    2:47 PM 10/11/2016

    Keep the Haka as it is and expect teams to stand and respect it. I think it shows a massive amount of respect to smaller communities around the world (Maori, Fijians, Samoans etc) who might otherwise be marginalised and swallowed up by the dominant global hegemony.

    Ireland know what the Haka is about. Foley would have understood. In fact, seeing 'his boys' getting riled up before a game would have been about the least he would have expected.

    My views on the Haka keep changing but, you know what, the world is shitty enough without borrowing trouble and complaining about whether or not a traditional dance/display/challenge before a rugby match is disrespectful or not. I can live with it.

  • jonnyenglish
    12:19 PM 10/11/2016

    Keep the Haka, have it before the the National Anthems, OR, allow other teams to respond as they like, none of this you can't get within 3ft or cross the half way crap.

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