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All Blacks demand respect for the Haka
Chris Jones26 Nov 2008
Graham Henry has urged England to respect the Haka at Twickenham on Saturday, with New Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu warning failure to do so would be ill-advised.
The Wales team's response to the Haka last weekend was to eye-ball the All Blacks for at least a minute. And even though his team beat the Welsh 29-9, Henry hopes England will refrain from a similar challenge.
"We don't need that every week," he said. "It was interesting at the time but it's time to move on and be more sensible."
Nonu says he found the Welsh response provocative, and used the anger to inspire himself during the game.
"What the Welsh did wound us up," admitted the centre. "Standing in the way they did is asking for a fight.
"If England want to do that they can but they'll probably get the same response."
Reader views (3)
The English haven't always respected the Haka. Just type Richard Cockerill and Haka into google and you'll see. The All Blacks use the Haka as psychological weapon before the game and therefore the opposition should be able to treat it however they want, especially when the ABs are the away team. The Welsh reaction was a classic, full of drama. The ABs were the ones advancing and provoking, the Welsh just stood their ground.
- Matt, London, 27/11/2008 11:29
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England has always respected the Haka, bring it on and lets have a good game, forget the Welsh they were probably hung over from the night before.
- Rosie, Grand Cayman, 26/11/2008 19:21
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How about foccusing on the game, yeah maybe thats the problem with English rugby, too much focus in the wrong places.
- De, UK, 26/11/2008 17:20
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