Sir, – In response to Myles McSwiney's call for an antidote to the New Zealand haka (Letters, November 16th), may I suggest we send out six Lambeg drums onto the pitch. In the interests of preserving the neutrality of the team's composition, three to be drummed by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and three by the Orange Order. As a further incentive to inspire our team, could we also make Phil Coulter take up a position close to the drumming action as an act of penance for the dreadful dirge which I see causing every head to drop at present. – Yours, etc,
MELVYN WILCOX,
Dundanion Road,
Ballintemple, Cork.
Sir, – I thought that the New Zealand haka was their response to Ireland's Call! – Yours, etc,
DERMOT RYDER,
Foxrock Avenue,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – While the All Blacks can choose to greet opponents as they wish on their own territory, they have no right to express their contempt, as they so obviously do, in performing the haka on visiting other countries.
As long as this inappropriate charade continues to be accepted by the IRFU and other host unions, Alexis Neeson's suggestion that it be ignored is valid (November 19th) but does not answer the provocation. An appropriate response by Irish supporters would be to sing Amhrán na bhFiann and drown out the haka.
All other European rugby nations have similarly patriotic anthems which could be effectively employed, even if they have been “officially” sung moments before. – Yours, etc,
RORY O’GRADY,
Olcovar,
Shankill, Co Dublin.