All Black legend labels Haka a joke
January 15, 2001

The All Black's traditional Maori pre-game war dance, the Haka, has come under fire again this time from a New Zealand rugby hero.

Colin Meads, whose legendary 55-test career from 1957 to 1971 has led him to be hailed as the best player in All Black history, believes it hampers rather than helps the New Zealand team.

He labelled the haka a joke and described it as no longer intimidating and said that there was too much emphasis being placed on it, detracting from the game itself.

"We used to perform it overseas to keep warm and keep our opposition cold while they waited for us to finish. We never went overboard with it," said Meads, who was named a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year's Honours.

"I worry about the game, and I do think the haka is a problem. It's not the same game, but it is still a great game. It used to be a game for all but now it has become a bit elitist - that's what money does."

Meads stopped short of saying that the haka should be scrapped, saying it was an important tradition, but called for it to be toned down.

"We were always proud to perform it, but now it's gone a bit over the top. They seem to do a different one every week and some of the guys put so much into it, it seems they've forgotten about what's ahead of them," he said.

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