The History of the Haka

Even though the All Blacks didn’t enter the Rugby World Cup 2019 as the number one team in the world, they remained to many favourites. From those watching from the comfort of their couches to those wagering large amounts at the bookmakers. Then the unthinkable happened. The All Blacks were defeated by the English Roses and countless fans of the men in black grasped for air all over the globe. The rose slew the dragon in black. An ominous defeat already looming by England’s team when not at all appearing to be intimidated by the Haka.

The clash started as always with the All Blacks delivering the Haka, but this time around the English team didn’t portray any sense of feeling intimidated. They instead took a stance of their own, by forming the unusual V-shaped formation in Yokohama stadium. This simple act already set the tone for the English victory, which would be concluded 80 minutes later. When some of the English players stepped over the line and had to be moved back to where they belong, the act wasn’t one of ignorance nor accident, but a well-thought-through display of rivalry and dominance.

For a few moments, the theatrics served as an opening scene to numerous nail-biting moments to follow. Even though the All Blacks stick to their statement that the unprecedented action from the Roses which came unexpected and might have caused them to be dethroned, is not the case. One can only wonder what the psychological impact on a team, whose war-cry is received with smirking ignorance, can be.

The Haka & New Zealand Culture

The Haka is often misunderstood. It is much more than a war-cry or the display of power. It is more a display of respect, usually performed at various formal occasions in personal life too. These would include funerals and weddings. The Haka is a core of the New Zealand identity. Schools and towns all over the country are often portraying their unique versions of it. It is considered to be an embodiment and a reflection of their environment, their surroundings and the people and history which is integral in it all. It states that one isn’t alone, but part of a much larger group, a stronger force, a team of champions. It is used to connect the members to form one unit of power before any brutal encounter.

That is precisely the way the world became familiar with it. A dynamic display, calling every member into unity before the brutal encounter ahead of the team, lasting an entire 80 minutes. Although they deny it entirely, one can merely wonder whether the English team disturbed their call to unity, disturbed the unison and as a result disturbed the brutal force with which the All Blacks became known on the field. The Haka has been part of the All Blacks pre-game performance dating as far back as 1888; now they need to search inherently and find that unison once again.