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<\/p>\nNew Zealand perform the Haka at the Stade de France <\/p>\n
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The haka is one of rugby\u2019s best known traditions, with the ceremonial Maori dance performed pre-match by New Zealand rugby sides before international fixtures.<\/p>\n
Haka were traditionally performed for a variety of social occasions and functions by the Maori, the indigenous population of the country, to represent a display of a tribe\u2019s pride, strength and unity.<\/p>\n
Usually performed by a group, they are now performed to welcome distinguished guests or acknowledge an occasion, but it is for their use in rugby that haka are best known.<\/p>\n
In rugby union, New Zealand\u2019s All Blacks, Black Ferns and age group sides all lay down the challenge to the opposition, while the nation\u2019s rugby league sides do similarly, with the haka generally performed after the anthems and before kick off.<\/p>\n
The All Blacks\u2019 use is believed to date back to 1888, when a \u201cNew Zealand Native\u201d side toured the British Isles.<\/p>\n
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The All Blacks have two haka that they regularly perform: the \u201cKa Mate\u201d is best known, while the \u201cKapa o Pango\u201d has been used since 2005 having been written for and about the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
Both are typically led by a player of Maori heritage, with scrum half Aaron Smith currently the most common occupier of the role for Ian Foster\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Of the competing nations at this year\u2019s men\u2019s Rugby World Cup, Fiji (the Cibi), Tonga (the Sipi Tau) and Samoa (the Siva Tau) also perform ceremonial dances.<\/p>\n
While these are being performed, no player from the team performing the challenge may cross their own 10m line and no player from the team receiving the challenge may cross the halfway line. It is not mandatory for the team receiving the challenge to face it.<\/p>\n
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Where both teams are performing challenges, one team may not cross half way and the other team may not cross their own 10m line – so the teams are always separated by at least ten metres.<\/p>\n
What do the words to New Zealand\u2019s haka mean in English?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cKa Mate\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n English:<\/strong><\/p>\n I die! I die! <\/p>\n I live! I live! <\/p>\n I die! I die! <\/p>\n I live! I live! <\/p>\n This is the hairy man, who fetched the sun causing it to shine! <\/p>\n One upward step! Another upward step! <\/p>\n One last upward step! Then step forth! <\/p>\n Into the sun that shines!<\/p>\n Maori:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Ka mate! ka mate! <\/em><\/p>\n Ka ora! ka ora! <\/em><\/p>\n Ka mate! ka mate! <\/em><\/p>\n Ka ora! ka ora! <\/em><\/p>\n T\u0113nei te tangata p\u016bhuruhuru, n\u0101na nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te r\u0101! <\/em><\/p>\n H\u016bpane! H\u016bpane! <\/em><\/p>\n H\u016bpane! Kaupane! <\/em><\/p>\n Whiti te r\u0101! <\/em><\/p>\n Hi<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cKapa O Pango\u201d:<\/strong><\/p>\n English:<\/strong><\/p>\n Let me go back to my first gasp of breath<\/p>\n Let my life force return to the earth<\/p>\n It is New Zealand that thunders now<\/p>\n And it is my time! It is my moment! <\/p>\n The passion ignites!<\/p>\n This defines us as the All Blacks<\/p>\n And it is my time! It is my moment! <\/p>\n The anticipation explodes!<\/p>\n Feel the power<\/p>\n Our dominance rises<\/p>\n Our supremacy emerges<\/p>\n To be placed on high<\/p>\n Silver fern! All Blacks!<\/p>\n Silver fern! All Blacks!<\/p>\n Ha!<\/p>\n
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