Post by kokonutwoman on Nov 2, 2009 8:23:50 GMT 12
All Blacks face haka challenge
By DAVID LONG in Tokyo - Sunday News
Last updated 13:45 01/11/2009
The All Blacks are expecting the unexpected from Wales when they line up to perform the haka at the Millennium Stadium.
There has been major controversy around the haka the past two times that the All Blacks have played in the famed Cardiff venue – and they anticipate Wales' New Zealand-born coach Warren Gatland will ensure a hat-trick.
In 2006 the All Blacks did the haka in a corridor outside their changing sheds because the Welsh Rugby Union wanted them to perform it before the national anthems.
That angered the sellout crowd but last year they were treated to a tension-packed opening to the match when there was a huge stand-off between the two sides at the end of the haka with neither team wanting to be the first to walk away.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said he was clueless to what might happen this time.
"You never know with the haka, it's an emotional event," Smith said.
"[Last year] I just wanted the game to start. But it created a bit of drama, it really fired our boys up actually and we had a pretty good performance.
"We came out on top on that one."
Smith believes any similar antics from the Welsh to upset the All Blacks before kick-off will only create the same will to perform from the New Zealand players.
The haka traditionally creates major news stories on a European tour and the Welsh have made no secret in the build-up that they will do anything to throw the All Blacks off their game.
Star playmaker Daniel Carter said several Wales individuals would also be confident as they no longer live in fear of the All Blacks after being the standouts in this year's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Although the series was lost, the likes of Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams flew the Welsh flag with pride and should all be in the starting line-up for next Sunday's test in Cardiff.
Carter says the confidence they would have got from playing so well against the world champions could give them self belief to beat the All Blacks for the first time since 1953.
"They would have got some real encouragement from the way played there," Carter said.
"We've got a great rivalry with Wales over the last few years. They're always pretty fierce encounters."
Smith wouldn't rule out there being a number of changes to the team for the Welsh test – after last night's Bledisloe Cup game – revealing the coaching staff are treating the first three tests (against Australia, Wales and Italy) of this six-game tour as one block.
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Go hard the ABs
By DAVID LONG in Tokyo - Sunday News
Last updated 13:45 01/11/2009
The All Blacks are expecting the unexpected from Wales when they line up to perform the haka at the Millennium Stadium.
There has been major controversy around the haka the past two times that the All Blacks have played in the famed Cardiff venue – and they anticipate Wales' New Zealand-born coach Warren Gatland will ensure a hat-trick.
In 2006 the All Blacks did the haka in a corridor outside their changing sheds because the Welsh Rugby Union wanted them to perform it before the national anthems.
That angered the sellout crowd but last year they were treated to a tension-packed opening to the match when there was a huge stand-off between the two sides at the end of the haka with neither team wanting to be the first to walk away.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said he was clueless to what might happen this time.
"You never know with the haka, it's an emotional event," Smith said.
"[Last year] I just wanted the game to start. But it created a bit of drama, it really fired our boys up actually and we had a pretty good performance.
"We came out on top on that one."
Smith believes any similar antics from the Welsh to upset the All Blacks before kick-off will only create the same will to perform from the New Zealand players.
The haka traditionally creates major news stories on a European tour and the Welsh have made no secret in the build-up that they will do anything to throw the All Blacks off their game.
Star playmaker Daniel Carter said several Wales individuals would also be confident as they no longer live in fear of the All Blacks after being the standouts in this year's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Although the series was lost, the likes of Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams flew the Welsh flag with pride and should all be in the starting line-up for next Sunday's test in Cardiff.
Carter says the confidence they would have got from playing so well against the world champions could give them self belief to beat the All Blacks for the first time since 1953.
"They would have got some real encouragement from the way played there," Carter said.
"We've got a great rivalry with Wales over the last few years. They're always pretty fierce encounters."
Smith wouldn't rule out there being a number of changes to the team for the Welsh test – after last night's Bledisloe Cup game – revealing the coaching staff are treating the first three tests (against Australia, Wales and Italy) of this six-game tour as one block.
------------
Go hard the ABs