Ralph thrilled with haka honour
July 18, 2002

All Black winger Caleb Ralph has spoken of his delight at being asked to lead the haka in this Saturday's Tri Nations clash with South Africa.

Ralph was given the honour as he s the only maori in the side to face the Springboks in Wellington.

"When I was younger, I remember watching Buck Shelford and then Zinny (Zinzan Brooke) doing it, and I thought I'd be the last one that would be leading it," he commented.

"It's a great honour. It was nerve-wracking the first time in Dunedin, but Taine (Randell) helped me out heaps. I'm probably a bit more relaxed about it now, and I'm enjoying it."

Ralph was asked to lead the haka in the first Test against Ireland in Dunedin a month ago. He is one of four Maori in the All Blacks' 26-man squad along with Taine Randell, Norm Maxwell and Kees Meeuws.

Ralph led the haka again in the second Test against Ireland in Auckland, but Randell took over again for the Fiji international in Wellington.

Ralph had played just one Test - as a centre against England in 1998 - before this season. But he has scored four tries in four internationals this year and is feeling increasingly more assured at Test level.

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