Time we stopped indulging the haka

THERE is so much disingenuous hypocritical twaddle surrounding the Hollywood production that has become the modern-day New Zealand haka that in some ways I am reluctant to raise the subject again.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. The mail bag afterwards is invariably 50-50 so no consensus is ever reached and, although in my opinion it is a self-serving nonsense that we have indulged for too long, in the bigger scheme of things there are much more important things to fall out over.

However, the demeaning spectacle of SARU prostrating themselves at the feet of the All Blacks apologising profusely for the stadium DJ getting his timings wrong and cutting across the screeching, gurning, throat slitting, tongue wagging, scrotum scratching, spittle spitting, eye rolling tirade was plain embarrassing.

Some might say or think it was all concerned with the urgent need for the Boks to keep New Zealand sweet as negotiations for the 2026 tour reach a critical stage but I couldn’t possibly comment.

But just to reiterate a few basics here. Every nation has their own dedicated anthem and of course that should be played before every game and of course it should be listened to with respect by opposing fans. The lead singer should also be a performer of acknowledged competence – there is nothing more embarrassing and insulting than a butchered anthem – and unusual arrangements or experimental versions of said anthems should be avoided. They normally bomb abysmally.