NONU: ENGLAND WILL FACE WAR IF THEY DON'T RESPECT HAKA
Ma'a Nonu the All Black centre, has warned England they must respect the Haka on Saturday at Twickenham – or face war!
Last Saturday Wales faced the traditional war dance at Cardiff and New Zealand were forced, by the referee, to retreat and ready themselves for the start of the match.
The Maori 26-year-old old said: “What the Welsh did wound us up. They were probably told by [Wales coach and New Zealander Warren] Gatland to stand there and wait until we leave.
“But it was really hard - the Haka is a war dance. If you're going to stand there like that then people before now would charge, but it's a rugby match and you can't do that.
“People back home will have been hurt by what they decided to do. Standing in the way they did is like asking for a fight. My blood pressure was pretty high but then I regained my composure. I was a bit upset about it.
“If I was facing the Haka I'd respect it. The Haka is the Haka, after that it's game time. If England want to do that they can - but they'll probably get the same response.”
All Black coach Graham Henry added: “The Welsh thought that was the best way to respond, I just wanted to know when the game was going to start. It took someone with common sense, the All Blacks captain, to get things going.
“We don't need that every week. I hope a copy cat situation doesn't occur. We've been there, it was interesting at the time but it's time to move on and be more sensible.”
Ma'a Nonu the All Black centre, has warned England they must respect the Haka on Saturday at Twickenham – or face war!
Last Saturday Wales faced the traditional war dance at Cardiff and New Zealand were forced, by the referee, to retreat and ready themselves for the start of the match.
The Maori 26-year-old old said: “What the Welsh did wound us up. They were probably told by [Wales coach and New Zealander Warren] Gatland to stand there and wait until we leave.
“But it was really hard - the Haka is a war dance. If you're going to stand there like that then people before now would charge, but it's a rugby match and you can't do that.
“People back home will have been hurt by what they decided to do. Standing in the way they did is like asking for a fight. My blood pressure was pretty high but then I regained my composure. I was a bit upset about it.
“If I was facing the Haka I'd respect it. The Haka is the Haka, after that it's game time. If England want to do that they can - but they'll probably get the same response.”
All Black coach Graham Henry added: “The Welsh thought that was the best way to respond, I just wanted to know when the game was going to start. It took someone with common sense, the All Blacks captain, to get things going.
“We don't need that every week. I hope a copy cat situation doesn't occur. We've been there, it was interesting at the time but it's time to move on and be more sensible.”
Labels: All Blacks, England, Ma'a Nonu, New Zealand, Rugby Football Union
