O is for OPPOSITION

"France's spirited challenge to the haka backfired on them last night as the All Blacks took heart to win the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 24 years. As the haka began, the French players stood in a "V" formation and joined hands. Then they began to move forward slowly - over halfway - until they were standing in a wavey line about 10 metres from the All Blacks.

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.

In Wales in November 2008, a tense standoff at the Millennium Stadium delayed the start of the match for about a minute as both teams eyeballed each other at the end of the All Blacks' stirring rendition of Kapa o Pango. The referee had to implore both captains to get on with the game as each team refused to budge." (from nzherald.co.nz)

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!