Haka doesn't draw foul response

New Zealand's Tall Blacks haven't fallen foul of basketball's governing body FIBA despite ignoring a request not to perform the haka at their Olympic Games matches.

The New Zealanders performed the traditional pre-match challenge after losing to the United States 102-56 at The Dome on Saturday night, their rendition drawing a rapturous response from the crowd and applause from the Americans.

The team was told in May they were not allowed to perform the haka before their matches with FIBA curiously classifying it as a political demonstration and therefore contrary to the spirit of the Games.

Team manager Robin Milligan today said the team had not received any censure.

``The thought went through my head when we decided to do it but it was greeted pretty well,'' he said.

``If there was a problem I'd have expected to hear by now.''

Coach Keith Mair said the team practiced the haka on the eve of the match.

``We felt like we might have an opportunity to do it. I think if we played really badly they would have been content to go straight to the changing rooms.''

The Americans were perplexed when the New Zealanders asked them to line up and confront them after the final buzzer.

``I didn't really know what it was,'' Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett admitted.

``I don't mean to cause offence but I wasn't sure what to do. I think it's quite a neat thing, it shows togetherness -- it's a group effort and I like that because I'm a guy that believes in doing everything as a team.''

The New Zealanders spent much of the post-match press conference explaining the origins and significance of the haka to American journalists.

Sean Marks, a former teammate of Dream Team member Vince Carter at the Toronto Raptors, took time out to explain the haka to his bemused opponents after the game.

- NZPA