RWC 2019 SF1: New Zealand v England

[Dan54]

I'll post this message in the Cheika thread but it's also relevant here.

In his post-match press conference Steve Hansen got pissy with a reporter after the All Blacks' hunger was questioned, and literally asked the reporter to step outside with him.

Now, maybe he meant for a quiet conversation about the ins and outs of motivation, but generally an invitation to "step outside" = to settle a dispute physically.

Cheika may have had vinegar for piss in many of his press conferences, but to my memory he never went as far as to threaten fisticuffs.

I never actually thought he meant step outside for a punch up, but I suppose if you take things that way I guess you could take it to mean that, just shows how we spend our lives

 

[Tex]

I can't think of any other reason to invite someone to step outside.

Anyway, I'm personally not particularly stressed about what he said, more bemused by the hand wringing and moaning every time Cheika gets irritable at a press conference. Makes me suspect people with grind stones are looking for axes.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I can't think of any other reason to invite someone to step outside.

Anyway, I'm personally not particularly stressed about what he said, more bemused by the hand wringing and moaning every time Cheika gets irritable at a press conference. Makes me suspect people with grind stones are looking for axes.

I agree, step outside means one thing. Given it was a press conference if he wanted to explain himself further in a non-physical way he had the perfect forum.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

England fined for six of their players crossing halfway during the haka (which no-one here in NZ seems to have a problem with), same happened to France in '11 so at least they're being consistently petty.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/r...l-blacks-haka-ahead-rugby-world-cup-semifinal

 

[dru]

Don’t think this helps the haka at all. Only likely to raise ire from the few who don’t like it.

 

[Derpus]

England fined for six of their players crossing halfway during the haka (which no-one here in NZ seems to have a problem with), same happened to France in '11 so at least they're being consistently petty.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/r...l-blacks-haka-ahead-rugby-world-cup-semifinal

Seemed to be worth it

 

[Sully]

I wonder if you would get fined if you crossed the halfway near the sideline. There is room here for some experiments.

 

[fatprop]

My take on this game?

The Poms played the best, most dominant, most complete game of rugby against seriously top class opposition I have seen in years

It will be interesting if they can get to the same level two weeks in a row

 

[cyclopath]

England fined for six of their players crossing halfway during the haka (which no-one here in NZ seems to have a problem with), same happened to France in '11 so at least they're being consistently petty.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/r...l-blacks-haka-ahead-rugby-world-cup-semifinal

World Rugby continuing to struggle to find the pulse of the rugby public.
I reckon most real rugby fans are equally happy to see the haka and other challenges performed, as they are to see teams respond to the challenge. This sort of thing will only increase the babbling from the mouth-breathers about banning it.

 

[John S]

They should be fined for Farrell's smirk but not the challenge

 

[Derpus]

They should be fined for Farrell's smirk but not the challenge

That smirk would have made a legendary meme if they lost.

Shame.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Dane Coles re: the haka brouhaha:

"I thought it was awesome, that's what the haka is about, it's a challenge. They walked forward. I know all the boys were pumped for it we were looking around like 'let's go'.

"From an All Blacks perspective we didn't think it was bad. We thought it was awesome."

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12280977

Pretty much what everyone I've spoken to or heard talking about it with others have said.

 

[formerflanker]

Dane Coles re: the haka brouhaha:

"I thought it was awesome, that's what the haka is about, it's a challenge. They walked forward. I know all the boys were pumped for it we were looking around like 'let's go'.

"From an All Blacks perspective we didn't think it was bad. We thought it was awesome."

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12280977

Pretty much what everyone I've spoken to or heard talking about it with others have said.

Fans love the drama.
However, the issue is that NZ rugby and World Rugby have given the haka an unlimited licence, while opposing teams have many restrictions placed on them.
From NZs increasing professionalism and aggressive performance of the haka through to World Rugby's overly protective rules and regulations, there is no even playing field.
The argument that the haka has cultural significance does not give NZ carte blanche to do it however they want. The current theatre of haka performance is a recent innovation and so aggressive challenges could be introduced too.

 

[Dan54]

Fans love the drama.
However, the issue is that NZ rugby and World Rugby have given the haka an unlimited licence, while opposing teams have many restrictions placed on them.
From NZs increasing professionalism and aggressive performance of the haka through to World Rugby's overly protective rules and regulations, there is no even playing field.
The argument that the haka has cultural significance does not give NZ carte blanche to do it however they want. The current theatre of haka performance is a recent innovation and so aggressive challenges could be introduced too.

 

[wamberal]

My take on this game?

The Poms played the best, most dominant, most complete game of rugby against seriously top class opposition I have seen in years

It will be interesting if they can get to the same level two weeks in a row

I think it is as much about attitude and self-belief as anything else. They have it in spades, and will not lose it in a hurry.

 

[wamberal]

As for the haka, I like to see it performed, but why not at the end of the game? At the moment it is a bit more like a stage show than a genuine expression of a traditional errrr welcome or expression of respect or whatever it is meant to be (no disrespect intended)

 

[Teh Other Dave]

If only they refereed the offside lines with such vigour.

Rimshot.

 

[Dan54]

As for the haka, I like to see it performed, but why not at the end of the game? At the moment it is a bit more like a stage show than a genuine expression of a traditional errrr welcome or expression of respect or whatever it is meant to be (no disrespect intended)

Funny thing is Wam, it a bit strange to lay down a challenge after the game, mind you could do it then and also the anthems I suppose!

 

[dru]

Funny thing is Wam, it a bit strange to lay down a challenge after the game, mind you could do it then and also the anthems I suppose!

No. After would be a nonsense. Challenge (and response) up front.

 

[wamberal]

Funny thing is Wam, it a bit strange to lay down a challenge after the game, mind you could do it then and also the anthems I suppose!

I have been labouring under the impression that the haka was not just a challenge. I have seen it performed at a wedding. And it is performed on all sorts of occasions, apparently as a gesture of respect. Or mourning. Or just about anything, from what my Anglo-Saxon brain can understand.



So I repeat my view. It seems to me that it could just as easily, and appropriately, be performed at the end of the game. In fact, that might be more appropriate in terms of ours being a sport, and not actual warfare.