The haka: a look back at England and other teams' responses to the All Blacks' challenge

Eddie Jones's plan to disrupt the All Blacks from the outset seemed to work as his England side lined up in a V formation whilst they performed the haka.
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England captain Owen Farrell has been criticised by some for his smirk whilst they performed the challenge, some believe his actions were warranted to rile up the opposition.
England could face a fine for their actions. Teams have tried in the past to disrupt the New Zealand tradition, here's a look back at the times it's worked and the times it hasn't.
'No problem at all': New Zealanders praise England's response to All Blacks haka ► www.theguardian.com/world/201...
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#EddieJones #OwenFarrell #AllBlacks #Haka #NewZealand #England #Rugby #Sport

[@haroonnadim4070]

The smirk just shows confidence. England weren’t scared and they won. Whats the problem

[@conhinds]

It isn't some sort of acting scene. Smirking just shows fear because he can't stand in a respectful manner facing the haka.

[@billybob4159]

@@conhinds ?

[@meethindocha1824]

@@conhinds it their choice to laugh. It the New Zealand's fault they lost

[@noooname2568]

@@conhinds absolutely no fear at all, especially from that silly little dance 😂

[@richardrice5942]

@@noooname2568 I agree that they should show no fear and you don’t have to respect it but that dance was performed in ww1 against the turks and Germans , a war that nz had nothing to do with except our alliance with the British, I feel like some respect for our history together should be shown at the bare minimum.

[@marktaylor7288]

I don’t see the problem. New Zealand were laying down a challenge and England were accepting.

[@philjamieson5572]

True. Aren't other countries permitted to start their own long standing Rugby traditions?

[@jamiemidge4983]

Phil Jamieson exactly, everyone respects the haka. As long as you don’t cross halfway you should be able to respond however you like.

[@ChuckD59]

This is the only intelligent comment and responses I see here. It's tradition, go with it.

[@Littlepandagamers]

yeah me too, i think the smirk show confidence . btw i also like the haka from new zealand . why make it like aproblem and connect it to racism. what reaction u want , its psychological battle imo

[@theeagleg674]

Exactly and also they have been allowed to do this before every game, so it is about time the other team does what they want and go against the rules, it is Rugby not football.

[@moniquevickers9971]

Owen Farrell's cheeky grin is priceless. Love it lol

[@lntering]

No one likes you

[@homeskillet9802]

It looked like he was watching a formation of 10 pins and lining up for a strike.

[@gijuvarghese6545]

u like that, sweets?

[@teebrinner5939]

@Giants #1 fan me Really well said

[@fullenglishbreakfast3289]

@Giants #1 fan me so are the maori

[@lomax1049]

Im Maori and I love it when teams respond like England did . For me every team should respond and every crowd try and drown out the haka . That’s what it’s all about .

[@alexrood2115]

Haka is just stupid

[@TheintrovertAunty]

@@alexrood2115 so is you name

[@9alt0]

@@alexrood2115 sure, I can see how some people could find it a tad cringy. But I bet your knees would shake if they were staring you down while performing it

[@joeboonmusic4004]

@@9alt0 I think it's awesome, a great tradition from one of the great Rugby nations. Long may it continue!

[@andrewtozerfineart9623]

Well said, I respect that. You lay a challenge down, and you expect it to be met. That's what it's all about I guess?

[@willsaenz6320]

Unless I'm mistaken, this is the ultimate form of respect. Accepting and facing the challenge head on.

[@Sanduriah]

@Mirta Patrizio Yeah the time when the wallabies in 1996 they ignored the haka as a whole now that’s disrespectful even from wallabies legend John eales biggest regret too after he ignored the haka and was just practising his kicking in the 1999 rwc ignoring the haka is not the same as challenging it.

[@udeeshaalwis2482]

I think the same

[@jacobburtonswfc]

It's New Zealand's choice to do the haka, its the oppositions choice how they react to it

[@Mardyfella]

Daniel Wilkins We’d like to cross the halfway line to confront the haka without being threatened with a fine. Ludicrous. Stop the AB favouritism. Ban the haka from the World Cup.

[@jacobburtonswfc]

@@Mardyfella Not a bad idea actually

[@John-ml8qf]

Exactly!

[@mandymorgan5507]

What about England doing a Morris Dance to motivational music!

[@davidgriffithsbjjcoach7207]

Tbf the England squad got a bonus of £1.2 million for making the final. I doubt they're sweating the fine.

[@crywlf9103]

I didn’t see Owen smirking, I saw a look of determination on his face.

[@katerinapatiniotis5598]

yes ! he said: "bring it on ! "

[@archilzhvania6242]

So you tellin' me that standing and staring is disrespectful, but yelling and making angry faces is not?

[@catherinehayes9481]

Ummm yeh. It is not just 'yelling and making angry faces' - that is so ignorant. The players perform the Haka as a display of pride for their countries rich cultural heritage. It is a war dance, and it was the Maori warriors who successfully fought back against colonial rule, allowing for agreements to be made between the settlers and indigenous peoples which ensured the continuation of their tradition. Unlike other colonies whose peoples and cultures were systematically wiped out by the English. So if we are going to talk about disrespect try looking into the history of the British Empire, and the continuing effects colonial rule has on Indigenous cultures.

[@nickfreeman7285]

@@catherinehayes9481 Britain doesn't want other people's cultures. You try bringing your cultures and forcing it on the people of Britain, so it'll be wiped out.

[@lntering]

That's not bad

[@lntering]

None of that is bad and smiling at it is not bad it's a ready to get this over with smile it's not this is so funny

[@fireup9224]

​@@catherinehayes9481 This is the most ridiculous comment I have ever heard. Why?.... because there are players in that New Zealand team who have British heritage. The bloodlines of the colonists are right there doing the Haka.

[@grimly3063]

There was nothing wrong with that England stood to the challenge what’s the fuss about

[@april-tui3524]

There isn’t one. Nobody in NZ created this fuss. Every year they tour the north, there’s a fuss about our haka created by brits and Irish. Every. Year. This time it’s because they were fined, by world rugby, for not staying in their half. That’s a rule that applied to both teams. The ‘fuss’ you speak of, is because English fans are outraged at a small fine.

[@SidMcGrath105]

It's the Guardian, mate. They think differently to most people. 🤷‍♂️

[@richardprice7763]

It's become a lot more aggressive over the years, that's why opposing teams feel the need to square up to it...

[@april-tui3524]

Richard Price it’s become more authentic, white culture will call that ‘aggressive’

[@april-tui3524]

Ÿamada no, no such thing as maoris, we don’t have an s in our language. If you’re going to get racist, you should probably look at some facts before you spout your white supremacist nonsense. NZ has long been aware of its issues with institutional racism in policing & corrections, and the UN have given formal warnings about it several times, it’s also why there are big changes happening in the way we address crime and punishment. My mother now works in the corrections ministry & is directly involved. There is clear evidence that police arrest Māori & Polynesian at a greater rate than Pākehā for the same crimes, and the judicial system gives longer sentences for the same too. Anyone who says one culture is inherently more violent than another, is racist. Despite the fact Britain raped, murdered and tortured their way around the world, they seem to feel they’re more civilised. It is demonstrably false.

[@HerewardtheWake23]

@@april-tui3524 Firstly, criticising a culture isn't racist. Secondly, some cultures are definitely more aggressive than others.

[@monsieurboks]

@@april-tui3524 It's a war cry ffs, more authentic means more aggressive

[@april-tui3524]

. No it doesn’t. You have zero clue about it

[@akidchannel4827]

England also have a right to respond.. it fair enough to counter back like that.. when your opponent yelling and make an angry face to you..The Haka dance is so beatiful..

[@barefootmaori9017]

Agreed mate I'm from NZ and die hard allblacks fan but England response was brilliant and not disrespectful at all!!!

[@zingzangwallawalla]

England team's actions were no more disrespectful than the Haka

[@tpp5151]

@dan dan it exists to taunt the other team, otherwise they wouldn't do it on the field

[@zingzangwallawalla]

@dan dan to misunderstand or misinterpret what I said shows you as ignorant. I did not say the Haka itself was disrespectful, rather than say that England's response was not.

[@-NemoMeImpuneLacessit]

@@zingzangwallawalla spot on mate.

[@cristianangeles9258]

dan dan let me impose my tradition in front of you as a man and see you take it.... pretty sure any man wouldn’t stand for it you fool, tradition or not.

[@urudogg1237]

You need to be educated

[@AcneTreatmentAdvice]

I don't know much about the Haka and it's tradition, but I'll take the word of a Maori researcher from NZ when he says that the response wasn't disrespectful at all and was actually in the spirit of the Haka (see NZ herald for source). The only issue is that the response goes against World Rugby laws when they crossed the half way line. So if they get a fine it will be because they broke rugby laws, not because they were being disrespectful.

[@dazdazdazdaz4952]

Why is this an issue apart from soft soy people whining.

[@davidevans9462]

@@realMaverickBuckley & civilized thoughtful people with enquiring minds .

[@LegalizeTheNuclearBomb]

@@davidevans9462 Soy boy alert. Soy boy alert.

[@littleman787]

Bro you're so hard and alpha

[@annapatrisiya4098]

It was a pure moment, between two great teams, that day was win or lose.

[@casperandtaz]

How on earth is it disrespectful, surely you cant expect opponents just to sit there looking all scared this is rugby NZ laid down the gauntlet and England responded in great fashion and preceded in winning.

[@april-tui3524]

casper andtaz who said it was? Not any kiwis

[@casperandtaz]

@@april-tui3524 watch the video

[@barefootmaori9017]

@@casperandtaz this is media for you mate have to make something out of nothing. If you fall for it that easily then uh I have candy but you gotta come grab it from my dodgy mini van with tinted windows parked in a dark alley way

[@ci7446]

I loved England's response. it was the moment of truth

[@faiththomas1749]

America boo booed through the backside , England less pressed nuff said

[@Theemptythroneistaken]

Think the first try they made was the moment of truth.

[@Anu_Sol]

No smiling allowed. What does Farrell think rugby is? Some sort of game?

[@baileygilbert4918]

Well after all Rugby is just a game at the end of the day so yeah😉.

[@rtyums6830]

@@baileygilbert4918 have you heard of sarcasm

[@FluxBrawlStars]

@@baileygilbert4918 r/woosh

[@Guy-ns1hk]

See how this soft Guardian approach leads to a backlash in the comments. It’s analogous to society: the further left you push, the more people will lean right.

[@laurencharley1545]

The Hakka is a challenge being given and I think England accepted that challenge, both sides were respectful in my opinion

[@europa1387]

This incident nearly put me off my soy milk.

[@fireup9224]

Pot kettle black. The Haka is not respectful to the opponent, it is basically a performance of intimidation and arrogance.

[@teebrinner5939]

media build and a few woke people, it was great and the rugby world loved it

[@jameslofton]

@Simon England It's part of the show.

[@april-tui3524]

Haka are performed at funerals you ignoramus. Your problem is your lack of knowledge of commonwealth culture. Nobody in NZ called this disrespectful

[@Driller0072]

@@april-tui3524 I didnt know a Rugby match was a funeral. Haka to respect to the dead is fantastic, intimidation tactics during a rugby match not so much!

[@april-tui3524]

Dave Reilly it’s not up to you, it’s not your culture to dictate to. It is multi purpose, we decide. So rude.

[@aaronlfcynwa2951]

England players can gandle the haka, but new zealand players cant handle the smirking stare lol

[@chris425amp7]

Aaron LFC Right an losing🏉

[@aaronlfcynwa2951]

@@chris425amp7 Is it "an" or "and"???

[@barefootmaori9017]

This is media mate probably content created by people who have never performed or faced a haka before probably never even played rugby just trying to create a juicy story

[@barefootmaori9017]

I guarantee you 99% of NZ hold england to a higher respect for accepting the challenge like so and dominating nothing disrespectful at all was a brilliant response yes our loss stung but that's rugby for you I thought ferrell's smirk seemed abit forced tho lol but he played like a champ! With a champion side

[@Trajan2401]

I'm a Maori and personally it doesn't bother me how the other teams react it just adds to the atmosphere.

[@Sanduriah]

@Mirta Patrizio Yeah the time when the wallabies in 1996 they ignored the haka as a whole now that’s disrespectful even from wallabies legend John eales biggest regret too after he ignored the haka and was just practising his kicking in the 1999 rwc ignoring the haka is not the same as challenging it.

[@LegalizeTheNuclearBomb]

Epic trap remix, Guardian. Very cool.

[@Inrezairo]

I certainly hope England's actions were not seen as disrespectful, the Haka is amazing and is a wonderful way of throwing down the gauntlet. But as the origin of that phrase of course England were going to find some way to pick up that gauntlet.

[@TonyFisherPuzzles]

The haka itself is incredibly disrespectful to the opponents. But who cares? Both sides should do what they want without nanny officials interfering.

[@april-tui3524]

Nobody cared. I don’t know why this fuss was created out of nothing. The fine is world rugbys business and the rules applied to both teams.

[@barefootmaori9017]

Just read through the comments from New Zealanders mate I'm yet to find a kiwi claiming it was disrespectful most are supporting it. As soon as I saw the V formation I thought it was brilliant and knew England were here to play some solid rugby the loss stung but man I couldnt be more happier losing to such champion side

[@barefootmaori9017]

@@TonyFisherPuzzles P.S the haka is not disrespectful 😤 so many easily offended people these days

[@rachithadesoysa423]

Where was your smirk in the final? 🤣🤣🇿🇦

[@TheintrovertAunty]

agreed

[@FactsNReason]

Any team can respond to the haka - It was a great match. Wish AB could have won, but England better team that night - congrats.

[@dannykamis4416]

Was beautiful. The smirk completed it.

[@homeskillet9802]

I'm surprised the Guardian isn't accusing England of being RACIST!!!

[@alexrood2115]

How is that racist?

[@undertakrer]

Well Ferrell got his smirk right back at him by the springboks lol

[@sdakosta1973]

leo86 NZ lol

[@user-zw3qw4yp3c]

Owen looked like he could take the all on with that smirk 😎

[@jonathanball8237]

absolutely no disrespect..... The Haka is a challenge of strength & honour. England responded to that challenge - thought it was brilliant from both sides.... This is all our history.... Rugby fans are a special breed, we engage and enjoy the camaraderie of competition & love of each other’s rugby history.... Brilliant Lads... Making us Proud 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@irishrailwayvideos9747]

You never showed wales not moving after the haka finished in 2008

[@plasticbudgie]

0:01 Legit made me spit my Coffee out WTF hahahahaahahahahahahahah

[@TheMightOfTheEnglish]

Weve been using the V sign since agincourt

[@gazza2933]

England's response was brilliant! New Zealand could only 'eyeball' about two England players, while looking straight ahead. Apart from this, England could have formed up in Squares....As at The Battle of Waterloo 😁

[@sail4549]

To sum up the incident, the players all met up the night before and decided to form a semi circle to challenge the haka. In reality, it turned out to be a V shape during the match. Joe Marler went over the half way line because he thought the others would do it, but they didn't, Marler already committed to it and there was no going back. Going over the half way line caused England to be fined as a result, but more importantly England displayed Rugby's most infamous challenge towards the haka.

[@DJChipsandGarlic]

Is the Greek version called the malaka?

[@dishantplaskar7461]

That smirk thoooo🔥

[@paulroberts9704]

Owen Farrell smirk was like "you wait till you see what we have for you" .....Great game

[@-NemoMeImpuneLacessit]

If you are offered a challenge, you respond, you don't just meekly accept it.

[@danieljames3163]

What about wales not turning away

[@qfox16789]

Tbf there aren’t many ways you can line a group of people up. I’m surprised it took this long to think to do the V shape

[@matthewburgess5070]

Proud South African we always embraced the challenge.... we bind together and revel in the tradition and energy of it. Always respectful of this amazing rugby tradition and the energy it creates... rather do our talking on the field than during the Haka

[@barefootmaori9017]

True understanding of the haka cultural sharing and experience Much respect South Africa from New Zealand

[@firouzagamieldien5997]

No we don't when South Africa wanted to perform the zulu war cry new Zealand was against it

[@barefootmaori9017]

@@firouzagamieldien5997 I've never heard of that and believe it to be highly unlikely dont know where your getting your information from but I know NZ would be in full support of this

[@kirksta123]

New Zealand players were apparently happy with England’s response and said it was imaginative, if a team is laying down a challenge the other time has a right to respond

[@deeshmond]

How on earth is that a controversial response? Too many people are offended by everything these days

[@rxmbo3749]

So other teams are allowed to respond but we’re not

[@dansaunders8649]

I’d say it was a mark of respect in itself, a way of saying yes, we are ready, yes we accept the challenge If England had turned their backs, then that is a different story

[@barefootmaori9017]

Yes agreed I think all of us kiwis hold england to a higher respect after that!

[@2blazeddd]

CONGRATS SA

[@frankiedonnemarbaniang6492]

For me that's not disrespect but how you stand Tall against fear or your enemy to overcome it

[@Driller0072]

My question is why only New Zealand.. Are they the only team that can lay down a challenge in Rugby ? Or any other sport?

[@sail4549]

Firstly, New Zealand's national sport is Rugby so it makes sense to why they decide to introduce their haka in the world cup. Secondly, no, not only New Zealand. Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji have their version of it.

[@KaitainCPS]

On the contrary, it respects the idea of issuing a challenge before the match. It makes it into a psychological confrontation between opponents, instead of a funny dance.

[@Oliver-yj4zk]

England got into there heads after the first try

[@freefree526]

Are you for real. What a joke, who cares if he smirked. The haka is meant to intimidate clearly it failed. Well done England.

[@lntering]

No one likes you you adopted

[@eddiewm7811]

@@lntering shut up u salty kiwi

[@2blazeddd]

Cult Spartan bruh

[@TheintrovertAunty]

@@eddiewm7811 I'm glad south Africa won

[@Styx4473]

All this talk of disrespect. It's a warrior's challenge. The warriors of New Zealand challenged. The warriors of England accepted and rose to that challenge. Nuff said.

[@SShiJie]

I mean what do the critics expect?

[@DamianGiulietti]

Is there still a space for the haka in modern rugby? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it as much as anyone else, but for entire stadium, staff and players to come to a stand still while a bunch of folks dance around the field... I'm not convinced

[@Arbutuscoveretreat]

I think the England response was awesome!!

[@jonathanakehurst4489]

I'd love too see a team laugh in their faces! Haha!

[@rogerdeiss4172]

Am from France and England was totally respectful of the Haka, they didn’t show fear as they were confident in their game…rightly so as they won.

[@katerinapatiniotis5598]

Big deal !! He just said: "Bring it on".

[@darryladonai]

Very few team can respond back to haka

[@sheld999]

You missed 89 haka with ireland

[@bakedutah8411]

New Zealand: [haka] England: D’you have a flag?

[@rome316ae3]

England be like "Son dont mess with your father"

[@Guy-ns1hk]

Only the Guardian could take this, ‘We mustn’t hurt their fee fees!’ approach. 🤣 They should rebrand; The Daily Wuss.

[@aadeshbaniya6182]

Criticism! Bloody hell. Thats the best response anyone can come up with.

[@baileynewton8463]

How is it disrespectful?

[@kaikwa4160]

Lol as a Kiwi I don't see the disrespect. The pommies just made a "challenge accepted" gesture, which is absolutely fine. Should happen more often, in fact.

[@mistersonnen848]

Early Hakka did not look intimidating at all lol

[@chicominetti9115]

The Irish response to the haka many years ago was the best

[@kevobrien4329]

Owen Farrell looks like he’d steal your car

[@charliepat1285]

The smile on Owen Farrell s face says it all...come on then,,,get some,,,,,,class,,pure class.. Stuff the critics,,,it’s about time we just enjoyed stuff like this instead of some whining pricks in the background trying to spoil it..

[@michaelabcd1242]

Yes!!

[@gustavusadolphus1714]

What’s the issue in that? Lol 😂

[@Capac1412]

The reason for owen to be smirking is that hes seen this before and he may of been intimidated before however now hes grown as a player and thinking i dont need to feel intimidated we can win. I hope thats what it was for character development

[@mclovin5976]

England should have done some Morris dancing in response.

[@stefanpaunovic6702]

V shape musket shooting formation

[@bodybalanceU2]

Well farrells smirk didnt help him in the finals

[@booniespur1882]

Fair play to New Zealand, they didn’t cross their ten metre line for most of the match just to be sure there was no fine on their side.

[@Mardyfella]

Boonie Spur I’m going to use that one.

[@andrewkeshan8649]

Every team should have a right to respond to the haka the way they want as long as it isn't violent

[@april-tui3524]

K Dog and they are.

[@Mardyfella]

Don’t cross that line though! That would be wrong.

[@Puskie796]

The fact this is even in question is beyond me. In New Zealand culture its prefered, they want to go face to face. The world we live in today, a sad place at times...

[@A_Lo_TX]

It’s cute to do some choreographed dance before a match.

[@Centre14]

so if crossing the half way line is 'disrespectful', can england just warm up in their own try zone while nz did their haka?

[@Mardyfella]

Sky Yeah, they could. That would be considered disrespectful too. You can’t win.

[@wagie95]

Up the Roses

[@vole12]

Haka is a great tradition and awe inspiring but stupid to be expected not to respond . In a minor way even . Fined for what ?

[@sail4549]

going over the half way line

[@callummacgregor4474]

Who actually said it was disrespectful? All I've heard is folk saying they loved it.

[@DokktorDeth]

It's the ONLY way to deal with this posturing.

[@reggiejames7812]

According to the All Black coach the Haka is supposed to be met with a response and they respected what England did.

[@rogerford4384]

No worries England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@kikia6611]

The Maori who have been interviewed about what the "appropriate" response to the haka have basically said it's a war dance and challenge and that the opponents are free to respond how they like. So for some people to say singing over the haka or whatever is disrespectful, that appears to be incorrect.

[@mahlstadt]

Why should one team be allowed to intimidate the opposition with an aggressive gesture? Do other teams have this right? Most sports, including martial arts, allow opponents to shake hands before a game. This game seems to promote aggression before the match rather than mutual respect.

[@nostalgia9338]

That smirk was hot

[@heisenbergwaffles]

No. No disrespect there.

[@Swabes7]

Ultimately a bunch of blokes having a dance before a match

[@psychm4787]

Owen Farrell you are a legend !!! 👊

[@stephenbarbieri3269]

So when a team responds to the haka it's disrespectful?

[@april-tui3524]

Stephen Barbieri no. Nobody in NZ thinks that, just the opposite

[@shazeenifamy315]

Its not direspectful by an means...england excepted the challenge by playing a bit phycological as well

[@mikeclements4548]

Media stiring this up I reckon - the AB have no problem with teams accepting the challenge with any shape line they want.....

[@Mardyfella]

Mike Clements Just don’t cross that halfway line, now!

[@fightfan8998]

That Farrell is a really smug c cc.. kind of guy Love it