All Blacks Rugby Match

Rugby is not a sport for the faint of heart. Whether playing or watching you get the distinct impression that it is quite accurate to call the men on the field warriors.

And if you’re lucky enough to take in an All Blacks match, the warrior impression is reinforced, doubly so.

The Haka is a traditional Maori war dance that was first performed in 1888 in Britain. The chaps from New Zealand wear “all black” uniforms – thus the name – and prior to matches, the team performs the dance to strike fear into the hearts of competitors.

It also dumbfounded the polite British society that first witnessed it near the turn of the 19^th century. Loud chanting, aggressive body movements and stern facial expressions all gave the general impression of an intense challenge to come.

The Maori ritual has brought the All Blacks much luck over the years – one of the paramount teams in the world, the war dance is a signal of a fierce battle to come.