Sir, – There once was a challenge offered by Irish captain Willie Anderson when the All Blacks performed their ritual at Lansdowne Road in 1989. My take on his action of approaching the visitors’ line-up, ahead of his team, showed some defiance with a hint of menace while almost face to face with the Kiwi captain, Wayne Shelford. Willie was not to captain an Irish side again; it seemed his action, which I enjoyed, was too provocative!
As for counter-active proposals, I submit that such action in future should be better rehearsed, perhaps immediately following the playing of Ireland, Ireland. But it's only a game and the All Blacks are always welcome here and around the world of rugby. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN BRADY,
Geashill, Co Offaly.
A chara, – There is a simple response to the haka: the troika. Let us send the troika into the All Blacks dressing room before kick-off. The players will then appear on the pitch totally disillusioned, with their heads bowed and with no self-belief. They will have the added disadvantage that their match tactics will be announced in the German Bundestag before kick-off. – Is mise,
EF FANNING,
Whitehall Road,
Churchtown, Dublin 14.
Sir, – I love the haka and the South Sea Islanders’ variants. I am looking forward to bringing my son to the Aviva to see it in person for the first time. I travelled around New Zealand in 1999 and remember clearly the significance of the haka being explained by a Maori elder. It is a greeting (a dubious welcome) to another tribe visiting the home of the tribe performing the haka. It is a challenge to the visitors, a not-so-veiled threat of violence if they misbehave. The visitors do not perform the haka!
Therefore while I love the theatrics of it, it should not be performed by the All Blacks for away games. I agree that the best response, now that we are not allowed to repeat Willie Anderson’s march up to the noses of the Kiwis, is for the crowd to sing their lungs out – I for one will be doing so. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN McENIFF,
Leinster Road,
Rathmines, Dublin 6.
Sir, – I have always believed the haka gives the All Blacks a very unfair advantage over their opponents. If they really need this practice to perform their wonderful rugby, I would like to suggest they do it during their warm-up at the end of the pitch. – Yours, etc,
CLAIRE CONNOLLY,
Kilgarve Court,
Ballinasloe, Co Galway.