/ 30 September 1999

ALL BLACKS ADOPT NEW HAKA

THE All Blacks have decided to adopt a more aggressive pre-match haka in a bid to help their World Cup chances. The new, improved haka is figuring prominently in New Zealand’s World Cup preparations and will debut when the All Blacks kick off their campaign against Tonga at Bristol on Sunday. The new version of the famous Maori dance will feature more aggressive actions to accompany the cry of ‘Ka Mate, Ka Mate, Ka Ora, Ka Ora’ at the start of each game from the Kiwis. All Blacks captain Taine Randell shed light on the thinking behind the new choreography which will feature the beating of chests rather than slapping of thighs at crucial moments and an altogether more involved performance from all concerned.