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Thu 24 Sep 2015 | 01:32
Traditional War Dances fire up fans as RWC 2015 takes center stage

7
Comments

As rugby fans, there is nothing better than building up to a match with a fearsome war dance. This strong part of South-Sea Island tradition is now an intrinsic part of rugby and last weekend gave us an opportunity to witness four in action, as RWC 2015 got under way.

So why not relive them all? Above is a mix, but they're worth watching separately here (or below).

Fiji Cibi

First up was Fiji's Cibi, performed against England in the opening game on Friday. It marked a switch back to the original war cry after introducing the Bole against Scotland in 2012.

Tonga Sipitau

Day two saw the Tongan Sipitau for their encounter with Georgia at Kingsholm. It didn't have the desired effect as they went on to lose 17-10 to Milton Haig's side. Nevertheless, it is clearly an impressive and passionate war dance.

Samoa Siva Tau

On Sunday, Manu Samoa kicked off with their Siva Tau before they defeated the USA 25-16 in Brighton. And as if the Americans weren't fearful enough of the powerful Samoans already, a pumped up Alesana Tuilagi led the aggressive war cry to set his team up in the right mood.

New Zealand Haka

Capping off the weekend's war dance action was New Zealand and their famous Haka. This year's version features a noticeable inclusion, a steady right leg tap which looks as menacing as it is does rehearsed. The 'V' wedge is also a new feature.

Posted By: Stephen Brunsdon

7 Comments

  • drg
    2:06 PM 27/09/2015

    I would prefer to see a mic for everyone. I think it boosts the atmosphere and works well. That way the crowd can make as much noise as they want.

  • jimmy23
    2:06 PM 26/09/2015

    Placing a microphone might be the best option really, I don't see the Twickenham crowd stopping it anytime soon and I don't think they should have to. Plus that might add to the occasion even more! It brings up another point though;
    Whenever we see the All Blacks do the Haka at Eden Park, the crowd make a huge amount of noise! The only reason you can actually hear it there is because they place microphones in front of the ABs whilst they do it.
    I'm not going to accept a "well it's the home crowd so they can make noise" excuse, either everyone has to be quiet or people can respond how they like (within reason).

  • drg
    10:13 PM 25/09/2015

    I think this entire thing depends on ones views on what these dances are.

    RD title states "traditional war dance..."

    I view them as a war dance... Other people an anthem... other people a prerequisite to any AB (or other) game...

    The rugby world would be a better place is we could all agree one what these actually are..

    It's old news now, but Ma'a Nonu disliked the Welsh response.. it was apparently disrespectful. Now I'm no Welsh fan, but from their point of view, you come to my house, you throw down a challenge and you're suggesting I can't stand there and prove I'm not scared of you?.. Don't get me wrong, Nonu doesn't speak for all NZ'ers... but it's a taste of what the 'non war dance world' face... Campese pee'd off the AB's with his total ignoring of the Haka, and that was rude too? So the answer? Bend over and just wait to be fk'd?

    Of course I didn't like the idea of Fiji's cibi to get drowned out. Perhaps a mic and the house PA system could have been linked so that 'swing low' (wrecks my head that) is an equal force, but not a complete sound blocker.

  • benny
    6:01 PM 25/09/2015

    The trouble is that the home nations for some reason think they need a response to the haka, which resulted in the mexican stand off in Wales (which was brilliantly hillarious) and Swing Low at Twickers. Personally i think they should just treat it like they would an anthem and not put a lot of thought into it but hey that is their choice. As a kiwi i don't mind them singing over the haka as we can respond on the field but somehow it seems a bit rude for a bigger nation to sing over Fiji's cibi. It just doesn't seem very gentlemanly to me.

  • stroudos
    7:42 AM 25/09/2015

    "it's not as though the crowd are booing and spitting" - I should bloody hope not!

    Other than that point, we can agree to disagree on this. I like Swing Low, just don't like it at inappropriate times.

  • jimmy23
    7:20 PM 24/09/2015

    I agree with the point of people singing Swing Low during a game when England isn't performing, the only time that would be acceptable is during a Lions game, because that's the only time the homes nations seem to actually get on with each other (I say each other, I mean England :P).

    However, I personally think this fuss over the Twickenham crowd singing over the Cibi is a being blown out of proportion. I think it really adds to the atmosphere and it's not as though the crowd are booing and spitting on the Fijians as they perform it. Plus there are plenty of Kiwis, Fijians etc... who have no issue with it. Some love it even. I don't think that makes me arrogant, Swing Low is firmly established as a part of English Rugby and I don't see anything wrong with the crowd trying to give their team a boost.

    PS: I'm not one of these people who think that the Haka shouldn't be there btw, before anyone thinks of accusing me of that.

  • stroudos
    5:21 PM 24/09/2015

    The juxtaposition of crowds quietly enjoying the spectacle / respecting the other's customs (delete as you prefer) against the England crowd singing over Fiji's cibi is bloody embarrassing. But not as bad as hearing swing low sweet chariot in the closing minutes of the Australia-Fiji game the other night.

    Here's my message to those "fans":
    Shut up you bunch of morons. You just encourage the view others have of England fans as a bunch of arrogant tossers.


    On a slightly different note, may I draw attention to Richie's very effeminate flick of the hand at the end of this video? Coooey!!


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