New haka here to stay

Expect to see plenty more of the All Blacks' new haka Kapa O Pango now that it has earned acceptance in the eyes of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).

The controversial haka made an unexpected return at Jade Stadium ahead of New Zealand's 32-12 win over Australia and its leader last night Rico Gear said it would become a regular fixture for All Blacks tests, although still shared with the historical Ka Mate haka.

The All Blacks' own unique haka, Kapa O Pango was created last year and introduced against South Africa in Dunedin.

It was performed a second time against England at Twickenham, which sparked offence in some quarters at the throat-slitting gesture at its climax.

Prompted by some "anecdotal" evidence that some New Zealanders opposed it, the NZRU conduct a review into its appropriateness.

The All Blacks claimed they were never swayed by the NZRU's request to hold off performing Kapa O Pango until the review was completed, which it was this week.

Instead they said the more familiar Ka Mate had been used in last month's three tests because they weren't confident of a cohesive performance while they were split into two squads.

"We felt we'd been keeping the public guessing a little bit with it," winger Gear said.

"We thought we'd just get it out there at the start of a new campaign, it would be a positive thing to do.

"We were excited by doing it and I think you might see it a bit more regularly from here on in."

The NZRU's review found there was majority support for the new haka.

Of 500 New Zealanders polled, the review said 62 per cent had a "positive view" of Kapa O Pango while 46 per cent wanted the final gesture left as it was. Another 37 per cent wanted the gesture removed.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said it was important a fuller explanation was made of the throat-slitting action, which was done so in a press release yesterday by Derek Lardelli, the haka's composer.

Lardelli said the final word "Ha", translated as the breath of life. "The words and motions represent drawing vital energy into the heart and lungs," Lardelli said.

Second five-eigth Aaron Mauger said the All Blacks' leadership group of senior players was unanimous this week that the time was right to perform the haka for a third time.

"The final gesture was a bit controversial and we probably didn't do too well explaining it over the last year so we managed to put that across to the (NZRU) board," Mauger said.

"Once they were happy with what it meant to us, we got it signed off and went ahead and did it.

"The boys were pretty passionate about it and felt pretty good at the end of the haka, everyone was buzzing and got us ready for the moment."

- NZPA