Tony Veitch: Brit critics show their ignorance

The Blues perform a haka before their clash with the Lions. Photo / Photosport

Opinion

It took one haka to set off a debate which is, quite frankly, so tiresome and led by so many bigoted and uneducated voices, it defies belief.

The argument from some in the north (as well as a few Kiwis) was that the Blues' brand new pre-match haka - and more specifically the so-called "throat-slitting" gesture - was ill-timed and offensive to those who tragically lost their lives in the latest wave of terror attacks in London last weekend.

Let's cut to the chase - it's absolute ignorance on the part of the British scribes to turn out this trash copy but they can't seem to help themselves.

They couldn't in 2004, when the All Blacks unleashed the Kapa o Pango.

I will never forget the reaction of the crowd that night at Carisbrook, when the Men In Black collectively went down on one knee, signalling something completely new was about to play out.

And the fans, be they All Black or South African supporters, loved it.

Not so much our media mates from the north.

Thirteen years on, and we are having the same outdated conversation: "Too many hakas and a complete lack of respect from those performing them", has been the refrain.

Isn't that just a touch ironic, considering this Maori war cry is built on respect?

Chatting to former All Blacks captain Buck Shelford and the team's current enforcer Jerome Kaino about the issue this week, I am convinced those who despise the haka have no interest in learning about it.

Here's my challenge for the haka haters: Go ask your own fans what they make of it . . .
And then come back and say, hand on heart, that world rugby would be better off without it.

Cricket: Who cares?
I was accused on Facebook this week of showing total disregard for the Black Caps at the Champions Trophy by not posting about them at all. And I didn't.

Here's why: Even this cricket tragic can't get excited about my team or a tournament which has fallen off the sporting radar, given so much else is going on.

Yes, some have already called New Zealand's loss to Bangladesh an embarrassment, but really, will anyone remember it next week?

We can debate the under-performing middle order at length, but in the end, does anyone really care that much?

I love my Black Caps but right now, there are far bigger things to grip your sporting heart.

Another blow for Warriors
Poor old Warriors fans must be wondering which sporting god they've offended . . .

They are, after all, backing a team that is more than likely to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight season and a club that has changed everything - from the roster and the backroom staff, to its CEO and broader team culture - yet, the more they try to fix things, from the outside at least, the more it seems to remain the same.

To add insult to injury, another former Warriors player has not just improved after moving away from Mt Smart - he has excelled.

Ngani Laumape is one of two new lads named in the All Blacks squad to face the Lions, and Steve Hansen was clearly having a dig at the Warriors when he said of the young bolter: "He's been a standout hasn't he, after spending time in the wilderness playing league."

Ouch.

Laumape is not the first Warriors cast away to have become a rock star at another club or code.

But hopefully, events this week will go some way to ensuring he is the last.