In The Lions' Den: All Blacks Tutira Mai chant hits a sour note

Herald reporter Cam Carpenter travelled to Wellington in a Maui campervan following the Lions fans. This is his latest report.

This year the All Blacks ventured into unchartered territory and tried to get fans singing.
The Tutira Mai concept was born and got off to a brilliant start with a fantastic marketing campaign.

The All Blacks hoped fans would sing and chant the lyrics to the classic Kiwi song at matches, but some say the chant is not working, and believe the Lions fans are out cheering the Kiwis on our home turf.

"They're just drowning out the Kiwis," explained Kelly Taylor on Facebook. "It's like it's a home game for the Lions, but unfortunately Tutira Mai hasn't taken off. Everytime Tatou Tatou is played all you hear is Lions Lions."

Some fans believe the All Blacks chose the wrong song, despite the inspiring lyrics calling on all people to stand together.

"It was always a terrible choice of song," wrote Ian Barber. "While the lyrics are really appropriate it's just not a rousing or inspirational tune.

"You only have to hear the crowd getting stuck into the intro to "Bliss" or the chorus of "For Today" or "Loyal" to know that they'll do it with the right song," he says.

At Westpac Stadium last night, the only chant fans seemed to be getting behind was 'WAI-SAKE NA-HOLO,' to the tune of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes.

All Blacks fan Colin Strachan believes chants can't just be manufactured.

"If something's going to catch on its going to be randomly," he wrote on Facebook. "Just because they want us to sing Tutira Mai means I'm going to do the opposite."

Radio Sport rugby editor Nigel Yalden says it is time for All Blacks fans to show they can outroar the Lions fans and is calling on Kiwi supporters to stick with the usual All Blacks chant.

"Find your voice if you're going to Eden Park next weekend because the All Blacks need to hear it, all the All Blacks are hearing is Lions, Lions, Lions," Yalden told Veitchy on Sport.

"Get the All Blacks chant going, someone's got to find their voice. Someone's got to lead the All Blacks chant and get organised because the Lions fans won last night in the stands just like their team won on the field."