Last night was not the first time the All Blacks' opposition did not passively watch the pre-match tradition. This came about after a fiery response to the haka by the Ireland rugby team at Lansdowne Road in Dublin in 1989. Captain and lock Willie Anderson led his team in a slow march forward until they were standing directly in front of the All Blacks. The tactic had no effect on the match, with the All Blacks running out 23-6 winners.
Here is my take on the word "opposition" in poetic form.
OPPOSITION
Opposition's the colour of New Zealand All Blacks.
It looks like crazy crowds before they attack.
It sounds like hisses and boos from rioting punks.
It smells like a living, breathing funk.
It tastes like cod liver oil recently drunk.
It feels like antagonism in some aspect.
Opposition is conflict between instinct and intellect.
Enjoy this rendition of the "haka" showing opposition to the 'nth degree at the 2011 Finals against the French, who got right in the faces of the New Zealand All Blacks!
28 comments:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Haka dance. You should get the one from the actual game on Saturday night/Sunday morning, where the French players actually got right in the All Blacks' faces when they were doing the Haka dance. It's WONDERFUL...!!!! Go to YouTube and request Haka dance New Zealand France 2011.
(My rugby player buddy told me about it...) Of course, he stayed up to watch the game. *heh*
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JSqnjGlgMg
Thanks, Jo! I couldn't find it before but it's on now!
Isn't it a hoot??? I would get on a plane and go all the way to New Zealand and attend a rugby game JUST to see that!
Me too! Wonder why rugby isn't so popular here...I think it's quite exciting!
It is popular her! The Fredster plays for the Burnaby Rugby Club.
http://www.burnabylakerugby.com/
Rugby is the best game ever! My grandfather was the captain of his rugby team in South Africa, and I gave the Fredster his silver whistle. It love rugby and it's much more exciting than soccer or North American football. You'll have to come to a game with me something, and we'll cheer the Fredster on!
I'd love to watch him play, but I really thought he played football, as in the CFL.
It was quite the holiday for the Kiwis, according to my friend down there.
Oooooooooh! very emotional I would think - very intimidating - but I guess that's the idea..is it?
Thanks leslie - was talking about you this afternoon when Diane popped in for a cuppa! All lovely things, I hasten to add. Dxxx
Imagine world politics being solved this way!!!!!! LOL
Great post.
Leslie I'm sorry :( Rugby is not a very popular game and hardly played here!! It is more of Football and Cricket which is like religion here!!
Opposition is very important whether in sports or in the parliament, does a lot of good!!
I love your poem and great take on the letter O.
A big thank you for posting The Haka, I simply love it and we could not watch the world cup on open tv.
O is for..
This was actually the first time I watched a full rugby match and was surprised to find I quite enjoyed it. I, too wonder if it will ever become popular here.
I've seen the word "haka" but had no idea what it could possibly be. I certainly didn't think it would be a dance. Amazing! Learned something new today.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
I like that video!
Please come and take a look at my O entry, have a good day!
The French boys all holding hands at the beginning of that video made them look not the least bit intimidating! Thanks for sharing. My ABC Wednesday is O is for Oracle.
That sure was an Original way for me to end my day, Leslie! :-D
Gonna have to check out that other link-I was mesmerized by what you had posted!
Oh my, amazing. The Haka is fascinating.
The poem description of opposition really touched all my senses. A+++ and 3 gold stars.
Beautiful! I was in NZ and saw the Haka, which was very impressive, so threatening that my two year old grandson started to cry. The Maoris have very long tongues.
Have a very great week, Leslie!
They certainly make a statement, don't they!!!!! Love it.
We might be heading to NZ in the future. The employer is very interested with my hubby's recent employment application. Lovely video!
In the haka NZ has something no other country can copy. Other teams may threaten, but only NZ can intimidate so well.
That is so cool. The poem was excellent too. And you were NO. 1 today!!
I was THERE when Wales and NZ had the stand-off! It was so brilliant.
Interesting to be sure! I read recently where a football team broke into Haka and ended up being tear gassed. Apparently the crowd controllers didn't recognize the moves. Whoosh.
Ha, I love the NZ sprit! We watched the rugby live on the telly, and as France were responsible for knocking us out of the finals, no guessing for the team we were cheering for!
That's a powerful poem you've written.
Post a Comment