KEY POINTS:
They are some of the more amusing and yet excruciating scenes, those grainy black-and-white images of early All Blacks teams performing their pre-match haka.
The newsreel footage lends a ghostly translucence to faces and limbs, which can't really be said to be acting in any kind of unison, or demonstrating much in the way of ferocity.
It all comes across as a bizarre, white man's parody of Maori culture.
It's a far cry from the All Blacks' haka of today, with its multiple versions, controversial throat-slitting gestures and even the odd closed-door recital in the changing sheds.
The All Blacks have come a long way, but when it comes to giving the haka full reverence they, er, pale in comparison with the New Zealand Maori team.
For the Maori, their haka isn't just a pre-match ritual, it's a crucial bonding exercise.
Coaches Donny Stevenson and Milton Haig had just four days to prepare their side for today's international against Tonga.
Sure, their players hit the scrum machine and worked on lifting in the lineout, but almost as much time, if not more, has been devoted to the team's cultural aspects.
It seems a botched lineout or two might be forgivable, a shoddy haka certainly would not.
The Maori have compiled an imperious record since their inception in 1888. In modern times, it is unrivalled. They have lost just four of 34 matches over the past 13 years, with the Lions, England, Argentina and Scotland among their notable victims.
But the importance of defending that record has hardly been mentioned this week. First things first; making sure the team has full mastery of Timatanga, the haka it has been performing since 2001.
"The goal when you go into any campaign is obviously to win it and [we] have a strong history around that, but it hasn't been a focus for us," Stevenson said. "We believe we have got the players with the talent to do the job, but we have got our other focus areas, teaching the boys the haka, making sure the cultural aspect of this team isn't lost as well.
"The boys have been pretty busy trying to tackle both.
"Looking at the outcomes hasn't been a factor but, as professional rugby players, they know that is how they will be judged."
The emphasis on culture does not come at the expense of developing a cohesive team, but rather was central to it, Stevenson said.
"It is a huge part of us. All those activities strengthen the bond between the players. They are good friends and rivals but coming together like this they just all help each other.
"The team spirit is huge when you translate that on to the rugby field.
"We stress all the time that it makes it so much easier. The Super 14 teams might be together for five or six weeks and three pre-season games before they kick off. We have got four days, so that aspect is huge. If we can make sure that the team building is right then all we have to worry about is getting our attack and defence sorted out and we are away."
Stevenson, who admits he marvels at the level of talent at the Maori team's disposal despite the continued offshore player drain, has named four new caps to face the Tongans. Tim Bateman, Jason Eaton, Hika Elliot and Clint Newland will make their debuts.
The Maori have spent recent seasons competing in the Churchill Cup against the likes of England, Ireland and Scotland's B-teams. This year they have replaced the Junior All Blacks in the Pacific Nations Cup.
With games against traditional foes Fiji and Manu Samoa to follow today's match, Stevenson believes the competition is a natural fit for a side that feels a strong cultural connection to the Island teams.
"While we are all very closely related, we all love to bash each other around. There is a lot of pride at stake in terms of bragging rights."
NEW ZEALAND MAORI v TONGA
North Harbour Stadium, 4.35pm
MAORI
15. Shannon Paku
14. Zar Lawrence
13. Jason Kawau
12. Tamati Ellison (Co-captain)
11. Hosea Gear
10. Callum Bruce
9. Piri Weepu
8. Thomas Waldrom
7. Tanerau Latimer
6. Liam Messam (Co-captain)
5. Jason Eaton
4. Ross Filipo
3. Clint Newland
2. Hika Elliot
1. Keith Cameron
Reserves:
16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Ben May
18. Isaac Ross
19. Daniel Braid
20. Chris Smylie
21. Tim Bateman
22. Glen Horton
NZ MAORI IN PACIFIC NATIONS CUP
v Tonga, today, North Harbour Stadium.
v Fiji, Saturday June 14, Lautoka.
v Manu Samoa, Saturday June 21, Waikato Stadium.
v Japan, Saturday June 28, McLean Park, Napier.
v Australia A, Sunday July 6, Sydney.
