Pump up the volume: Rugby World Cup Haka will go all the way to 11

Daily Mail

2 Sep, 2015 06:50 PMQuick Read

The All Blacks considered ditching the Ka Mate haka shortly after Graham Henry took over as coach, Britain's Daily Telegraph has reported. A decade ago, many All Blacks felt that the haka was no longer appropriate, All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka Enoka told the Telegraph. Management and senior leaders, led by Tana Umaga, held discussions on how the haka could be maintained and kept relevant and consultations were held with Ngati Toa.

The All Blacks' traditional war dance, the Haka, will be given its full voice at Twickenham even if England reach the World Cup final.

The Maori challenge was drowned out by the noise of the Twickenham crowd during the autumn internationals as stadium managers turned down the sound but World Rugby will refuse any requests for the Haka to be silenced.

"The Haka will be shown on the big screens and audio will be played as it was at the last two tournaments in New Zealand and France," said a spokesman.

The on-field ritual is often criticised for giving the team a psychological advantage - with England skipper Chris Robshaw urging supporters to neutralise the performance with a deafening reception in November. Fiji, Tonga and Samoa will also face no restrictions on their versions of the Haka.

The All Blacks begin their World Cup campaign against Argentina at Wembley on September before their clashes with Namibia, Georgia and Tonga in Pool C.

The reigning world champions will arrive on England shores in ominous form following their 41-13 demolition of the Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland earlier this month.

- Daily Mail