Last Sunday's All Blacks clash with England at Twickenham exposed a truth that many are too polite to say. The haka is losing its power. England’s players formed a U-shape during the haka and the crowd erupted into Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. It was so loud that the All Blacks’ war dance barely registered. A ritual that once struck fear into opponents now risks being laughed off or drowned out entirely.
Let’s not forget what the haka really is. It is a war dance, performed before brutal attacks on rival tribes, attacks that often ended in death, mutilation and cannibalism. It was meant to intimidate, to signal strength and to unsettle your enemy. The idea that this violent, fearsome ritual has been repurposed into a pregame photo op for a rugby match is absurd.
Yeah, the haka is tradition. Yeah, it is part of the All Blacks brand. But that does not excuse turning it into a compulsory ritual before every single game, where its meaning is reduced to tokenism. It has become background noise, something opponents can mock or stadiums can drown out with a singalong.
Perhaps it is time to save the haka for moments that actually matter. Finals, historic tours, occasions where victory hangs in the balance. Or make it earned. If the All Blacks lose, like they did 33–19 against England, they skip the haka next time. Let it mean something again.
The reality is simple. The haka’s power when it is performed as routine, it is hollow. When crowds can laugh, sing and drown it out, it is meaningless. If the All Blacks want to keep the haka from becoming a caricature, it is time to rethink how and when it is performed.
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I’ve never been shy about saying it. Giving the All Blacks the right to perform the haka before every match feels a bit entitled.,,
