 Courtesy: vimeo.com The excitement for me personally had been building since I had purchased the tickets back in September. This Saturday evening at PPL Park in Philadelphia the Maori All Blacks would take on the USA Eagles in an exhibition rugby match. Although it wasn’t the All Blacks who take part in World Cups it was still a top side. Just to give some background the All Blacks are the National team, followed by the Junior All Blacks (Junior being 2nd to the AB’s, nothing to do with age). The NZ Maori team are a team where you have to have some Maori blood in you to qualify (It was at least 1/16, but may have been changed to 1/32 lately). The USA had previously lost 74-6 back in 2006 in a game in Santa Clara and two years before that they lost 69-31. This was going to be a good game and I was going along to watch the All Blacks but really to see the traditional war cry/dance, the famous Haka. The teams came out and lined up for the National anthems which were respectfully observed, the hosts beautiful ‘God Defend New Zealand’, a version of which can be found here: Then came time for the Haka and for me personally, and the Kiwis behind me, the moment was ruined in what was a very disrespectful of the Maori nation who were after all, our guests for this night. (http://www.youtube.com/watch? The ‘Timatanga’ haka, which was the one performed at PPL Park is lead by the elder and tells the Moari story of creation from the void to what is now today. It tells of achieving ‘matauranga’, ‘Whanaunatanga’ and ‘taumatatanga’, which is knowledge, unity and excellence. It is for the present, future and individuals mana, whanu, iwi and hapu (prestige family, tribe and sub tribe). All of which aids the increase in the well being spiritually, physically and mentally. I was not alone in my feelings towards the response during the Haka and the internet was alive with comments, some from Americans also which was good to see. One responder said that the Haka is a war cry and supporters and players should be able to respond however they want, plus they paid their money. Really, you paid your money so that allows you to be ignorant of tradition? That means you would have no problem with someone booing the National Anthem right? September 3rd 2013 the Costa Rican fans booed and whistled the American National Anthem when the soccer sides met, with reactions to that being that the Costa Rican side should play some games behind closed doors. But they payed their money right? Fact is that was wrong and so was this but the tradition of the Haka is probably not well known in the USA. Rugby is an infant sport and with the NFL, NBA, MLB and even soccer now becoming bigger it may always be that way. What might have been better would have been after the Haka the chants of USA went up, actually in a response. I would have had no problem with those actions at all and it would have shown that much more class too. It is a learning curve and the Haka I believe is an extension of the Anthem and should be treated as such, a prayer of sorts is probably the best way to describe it. Certainly an enthusiastic one but probably the closest example I can think of at this moment. The game itself was great. The USA Eagles played very well, kicked very well and put their bodies on the line. The Maori coach, Colin Cooper, said as much in his post match comments saying that the USA side ‘really brought it’ and if his side hadn’t the spirit they did then they’d have lost. 29-19 is not a bad score for the Eagles and the test would have served them well. The US Captain, who was bloodied during the game said of the Haka that it was an ‘honor’ to face it. Afterwards both sets of players walked the ground, the US inside the barrier, the Kiwi’s outside to acknowledge the fans. All in all it was a good night but I am not sure I will ever go to a US Eagles game for a while. |
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Nice article Jason, glad you enjoyed the game and especially the haka. The haka is about challenge and i don’t think at all it’s disrespecful if your home supporters are chanting in this case usa, usa. Here in NZ if your team has a haka you’ll challenge the opposition haka with your own at the same time with your supporters joining in as well. Remember it’s a challenge not only to your team but to your whole tribe (supporters). Was an awesome game that the Eagles played really well, they were physical and really well drilled. Looking forward to the full All Black team playing the Eagles in the near future.
John, yes the game was a good one and the haka was fantastic also. My problem with the chanting of ‘USA’ throughout the haka is that (and the New Zealander’s behind me were angry too which is why I couldn’t post my recording) the haka is part of going to see the All Blacks.
I understand when the All Blacks play Samoa each have their own challenge, war cry, but one goes first and then the other responds to the challenge. I was hoping for similar here. I have no problem with the chants of USA but in my opinion they should have started as soon as the haka had finished.
I remember teams advancing on the All Blacks as they do the haka, Ireland, France and even my own native England have done that and we all remember what happened to Brian O’Driscoll while playing for the Lions in 2005.
Wales even stood them down after the haka with the ref frantically trying to get the game started and no one moving. The difference though are these games were all competitive and yet the actual haka still was respected by the majority, Campese and O’Driscoll the exceptions, this was an exhibition game and part of that to me is the haka and for me it wasn’t embraced as it should have been.