So You Can't Challenge The Haka Now? Perlease!

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50229807
Why are the rugby authorities so desperate to protect the All Blacks? Good job we wiped the floor with them in the game.

[davebro]

I think it's sensible to maintain separation. After all you wouldn't want the punch up to start BEFORE the kick-off would you.

[ToraToraTora]

I've seen that one ellipsis, looks like the julian Clary version!

[Togo]

Why should the precious Kiwis get to have their anthem and then a free shot with the intended intimidation of the Haka? If there must be a Haka when they play why not a Haka made up or real Maoris that is presented as a challenge to both teams? The All Blacks brought us their Haka and left ...........with it in tatters.

[nescio]

I like Fran Cotton's comment about the Haka before the legendary victory by the Northern Division against the All Blacks at Otley in 1979,
"Look at the big p**fs dancing."
I was there. It was a freezing November day.

[Old_Geezer]

One tolerates the idiotic dance, but gets fined if passing a centre line. Indicates all one needs to know about the sanity, or lack of, from them that makes the rules.

[Quizmonster]

Why would 15 + world-class rugby players...all of them muscular 'substantial citizens'...feel sufficiently threatened by a group of opponents performing a ritual ethnic dance to the extent that they feel obliged to react to it?
Why not just accept it for what it is, because doing that reveals that you are not in the least intimidated?

[ichkeria]

Now?
That was the rule already.
The ref was trying to get them back and they ignored him.
Serves them right. Charity benefits.
Never seen the point of “challenging the haka” really anyway.

[Denton]

The V was obviously the “V”Sign in my opinion,as in the 2 fingered version.

[Old_Geezer]

Didn't see it. So V for victory ?

[retrocop]

I thought the rules of the game started with the referee's first whistle. There was certainly no disrespect shown by England during the AB's warm up. Hardly a proper Maori among I suspect.
Perhaps,in future, the English side should stand where they are and give them the Agincourt salute in response.

[douglas9401]

Some incredible denying of reality from the usual suspects.

Methinks.

[Mamyalynne]

They know the rules, flout them and cough up like good sports.

[Togo]

//Perhaps,in future, the English side should stand where they are and give them the Agincourt salute in response.//

Haha they did.......in massive overhead detail with a tiss pake smirk to follow it up. Good Lad's. Will Scotland be reprimanded for bringing the game into disrepute? First a threat to sue after a storm that was a Japanese National disaster and then a criminal "performance"?

[THECORBYLOON]

I have been aware for a few year that teams are not allowed to cross the half-way line when meeting the challenge.

The English must have been aware of it too but thought the resulting fine was worth it.

[vulcan42]

When was the "behind the line" rule introduced? I can remember in 1997 the haka was performed literally nose to nose.

[THECORBYLOON]

The English should do some Morris dancing.

They could rack up a fair few points while the opponents are laughing at them still.

[dannyk13]

Vulcan, don't know when, but see my post at 09.11

[Barmaid]

Those are the rules!

However, I'll admit to laughing like an idiot at this:-

[vulcan42]

Thanks danny, I had read the link but it didn't state when It was introduced. I thought New Zealand performing the haka lost some of it's impact when others copied it, Madagascar and Hawaii perform it these days.

[Quizmonster]

TCL, I always used to make the same 'Morris dancing' point when the matter of the England players and the haka came up here on AB.
Sadly, however, I'm going to have to give it up after what I saw in The Times last Saturday. On two facing pages,there was a contribution expressing the very same opinion as ours on the 'Letters' page and one at the bottom of the Leader page.
We'll just be accused of copying The Times if we ever do it again!