Rugby: Blues' emotional haka to British and Irish Lions

Blues perform a haka before the 2017 British and Irish Lions test. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Blues have laid down a challenge to the visiting Lions team laden with both power and emotion.

Led by Ihaia West, the home team called upon the strength of their ancestors tonight in a spine-tingling pre-match haka, unveiled in tribute to Jonah Lomu and Kurtis Haiu.

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The Blues faced the visitors in the same triangular formation that the fearsome All Blacks use for international test matches.

In response, the Lions stood together side by side, facing their opponents and accepted the challenge laid down by the men in Blue.

The new haka was composed by Whiria Meltzer and Ruka Makiha, two friends called upon by Blues coach Tana Umaga to devise a suitable challenge for the much-anticipated match.

It was the first time the Blues have performed a pre-match haka. And it lived up to the hype.

A hush fell over Eden Park as the first guttural notes rang out, following a minute's silence for victims of the recent terror attacks on the Lion's hallowed home turf.

"Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi. He toa takitini ke.

"My strength is not my own. But the strength of many."

Blues fan Andrew Bason said the haka and the atmosphere was "electric".

"I haven't felt the stadium this electric since the Blues of 2003. It feels like an All Blacks game."

Scotsman Peter Taylor said the new haka was "fearsome".

"It gave us goose bumps."

As the players paused, the crowd rose in loud applause before the haka resumed again, silencing 40,000 fans once again.

It ended with the famous throat-slitting gesture, setting the scene for an historic battle.