Fri 6 Jul 2012 | 06:30
New Fijian wardance performed vs Scotland - The I Bole

16
Comments

If you watched the Fiji vs Scotland game recently you will have noted that through the shakey camerawork and occasional throw backs to black and white TV, we got to see an all new prematch wardance, which is called the I Bole, and replaces the Cibi.

Fiji did away with their traditional Cibi recently, having replaced it with the new I Bole, which seems to have a lot more energy, and is in fact more fitting for what is about to take place.

The story goes that the original Cibi was first performed on the rugby field back in 1939 for a tour of New Zealand, when then captain Ratu Sir George Cakobau felt that his team should have something to match the Haka of the All Blacks.

It has perhaps been used incorrectly though, as the word Cibi actually means a celebration of victory by warriors, whereas Bole is the acceptance of a challenge. The latter was composed by Ratu Manoa Rasigatale, and is explained as follows.

I'm challenging you to be uprooted, yes, it will be done, let's turn them up side down. I'm ready, you think I'm afraid of you, you can't break my defence. You're only a hen, I'm the rooster, let's fight and you'll see. I don't sleep and will watch you.

My strength can reach the crushing of the waves, I will not be drowned, you think you'll defeat me by drowning? Your fence is only made of wawamere creapers, It's easy to untangle. I can uproot you, I can uproot you, yes it will be achieved.

You can watch the Fiji vs Scotland full match again here

16 Comments

  • pretzel
    3:17 PM 11/07/2012

    I don't disagree with anything you posted there Jon. I too do not have any issues with the Haka and its counter-parts... However I do see a loophole where people can say "well if they can then why can't we?"

    And to answer the "Nonu" part... Considering he is more native than say Richie McCaw, etc etc (the "white" team mates!) I'd have expected a good reaction from him. But a reaction like that from a REAL New Zealander (or islander) is a bit depressing.

    When looking at the AB's Players like Umaga, Nonu etc are the ones that in theory, look the real deal during the Haka, so you'd expect them to appreciate the reaction more so.

    As for the "greater advantage"..I also disagree, I think it fires both teams up...

    To some extent Ireland has its own pre-game tradition with the song "Ireland's Call" which they sing either before or after the anthems...

  • stroudos
    8:07 PM 08/07/2012

    I bet the Maori boys in that NZ team bloody loved it though. And not just because it helped psych them up even more...

  • pretzel
    3:02 PM 08/07/2012

    Ah, same video lol, "what the f*** have you done" lol, cracks me up every time!

  • pretzel
    3:00 PM 08/07/2012

    I like hearing about it with an interview, when he said he felt like he was doing something good and impressing Marting Johnson. Then he said Martin looked at me and said "Cocker, what the hell have you just done" (or words to that effect..).

  • reality
    2:21 PM 08/07/2012

    And 'war' dances have great relevance to rugby? Especially ones that were just made up a few weeks ago? It's a rugby match; not a war.

  • stroudos
    12:27 PM 08/07/2012

    Richard Cockerill's haka response 15 years ago is still the best ever:
    http://www.rugbydump.com/2008/12/770/richard-cockerill-stands-up-to-the-haka-in-1997

  • pretzel
    4:40 AM 08/07/2012

    As ridiculous as Gallows humors' comment sounds.... why not?

    I love watching the Haka, and its counter-parts, I don't mind that Fiji has invented a new one (The AB's made a new one a few years ago).. I can enjoy it. Although I can see the "commercial" side of it... is it heritage or is it a crowd pleaser?

    But really would the governing bodies be able to stop it if the Irish did want to perform a riverdance before every match? (or at least something of their own culture and heritage?.... drinking and fighting?)

    Jaded Forward has highlighted the ever changing evolution of cultures, and has thus given a strong argument FOR the invention of this new routine. So again, would it not be a strong argument to say that Spain (as mentioned) or any other nation for that matter is ever evolving in its culture and should therefore be allowed to perform something...

    I mean dare I say that the rugby world is accommodating these routines because the people doing them are more "primitive" and the rest of the world as a more civilised world have advance far beyond "silly dances"... I am not trying to sound insulting and patronising because I truly do not believe that statement, but it does beg the question that, is it because THEIR heritage may be closer to these routines which were performed for REAL x amount of years ago, whereas the rest of the world hasn't performed an angry routine like this in many many more years?!?!?

    As for the comments about facing the haka and counterparts. I believe the opposition should in theory be allowed to do what they want, Campese used to kick a ball around and that use to get flack. Wales stood up to it and Nonu cried a river...

  • bondtr4der
    12:46 PM 07/07/2012

    I seem to remember hearing something about the ABs doing a haka before and after every training session...

  • stroudos
    12:21 PM 07/07/2012

    Haka practice:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXKxAg6g_j0

  • pretzel
    9:30 AM 07/07/2012

    " I know that every minute spent memorizing that choreography is a minute that was not spent perfecting their lineout, or set piece off the back of a scrum. So I don't really see much of a downside."

    Lol, sounds like NZ have more minutes in their day than the rest of the world...siigh..

    Must be somewhat amusing though, to see them actually practising it without any "need" or opposition, unless they do it before a training game against each other.. :/ Anyone shed light on that?

  • rugby08
    7:52 AM 07/07/2012

    So lame. Just get on with the bloody rugby

  • pretzel
    11:00 PM 06/07/2012

    Well I don't either, I think they are a great spectacle and take what? 5 minutes, give or take? Still a lot less time than scrum resets.... But I know things like this do and will open up the age old argument by those that don't want them in the game....

    All these war dances go back to heritage and tradition, as I said, the Scots no doubt had some sort of battle cry, and many of the Scottish team probably know their clan... The Norwegians are Vikings, so perhaps have players going "beserk".. I don't think any of these nations SHOULD start up a war dance, but there would be plenty of genuine reasons why they could, and plenty of "dance" actions which they COULD do...

  • bondtr4der
    10:30 PM 06/07/2012

    don't see a problem with necessity - for teams that have "always" done it, let 'em continue. Don't really see why other nations need to invent an equivalent haka of their own either... personally can't imagine anything getting me fired up for a game like facing a war dance! Bring it!

  • pretzel
    7:09 PM 06/07/2012

    I somewhat agree. I mean it is interesting to see, but unless it is something original and traditional from many many years ago then it just seems a bit commercial...

    I wouldn't deny them it... but again it highlights the whole argument that others put forward about its necessity within the game. I am no great history expert, but I am pretty sure the Scottish highland clans had some sort of fierce roaring before a battle... could that not be incorporated by the Scottish team? Italians could perform some sort of Roman sketch etc etc etc...

  • bondtr4der
    1:58 PM 06/07/2012

    too contrived, loses credibility.

  • stroudos
    1:31 AM 06/07/2012

    Nice Mr Miagi tribute around 0:50 and again a few moments later. The crane Daniel-san.