Why did New Zealand do the haka, what does the word mean and how did the UK respond?

The haka will be the main topic of conversation when New Zealand travel to face England at Twickenham in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series curtain-raiser on Saturday.

The traditional Māori dance of the haka was first performed by a team, formerly known as The Natives, in 1888 and 1889, when the Kiwi rugby team played in England and Australia.

While the players originally only performed the haka when playing abroad, after 1986 they also started performing a meaningful dance at home matches.

Here’s a comprehensive look at how the haka came about, the deep meaning behind it, what the words mean, and their importance to Māori.

The Haka is a ceremonial Māori dance.

It includes movements like stomping of the feet, rhythmic body slapping, and, perhaps most famously, protruding of the tongue along with a loud chant.

Hakas are created by Māori people to celebrate different aspects of life.

In the story, the Māori sun god, Tama-nui-te-ra, and his wife Hine-Raumati, the personification of summer, had a son named Tane-rore. In the summer, his little boy would dance for Hine-Raumati, making a quiver. Its quick and light movements are the inspiration for the haka dance.

From welcoming distinguished guests and acknowledging great events or achievements to intimidating rivals and declaring strength before battle, these dances are performed to communicate a wide range of emotions and situations.

There are different types of haka. For example, Tūtū Ngārahu sees players jump from side to side, while Whakatū Waewae does not involve jumping. And while Ngeri is done for the psychological motivation of soldiers, Manawa wera haka is often associated with death and burial.

Different haka dances include different songs. Performed and famous by the All Blacks is the haka Ka Mate, which was composed by Chief Ngati Toa Te Rauparaha around 1820. Ka Mate was created during a conflict between two tribes, so the song fits the tale.

The Māori words of the song are: “Ka mate! You die! Ka ora! Ka ora! You die! You die! Ka ora! Ka ora! Tenei te tangata puhuru huru! Nana nei i tiki mai! Ngati te ra! A upa …ne! you…ne! Hi!

In English, the song translates: “I die! I die! I live! I live! I die! I die! I live! I live! This is the furry man who took the Sun and made it shine again. One step up! One step up more! Step up, more… The sun is shining!”

In August 2005, before the Tri-Nations Test match against South Africa, the All Blacks performed Kapa O Pango, a new haka about the All Blacks, for the first time.

Kapa O Pango’s song translates: “Let me return to my first breath. Let my life force return to the earth.

“Now New Zealand is thundering. And it’s my time! It’s my time! Passion ignites! It defines us as the All Blacks.

“And it’s my time! It’s my time! Anticipation explodes! Feel the power. Our dominance rises. Our supremacy emerges. To be placed on high. Silver nails! All Black! Silver nails! All black!”

Most teams line up in respectful opposition to the haka and watch in silence, but some have chosen to challenge it over the years.

There’s a limit to how far you can go, but World Rugby doesn’t allow teams to leave their own half when the haka is in progress.

Challenges range from Australian David Campese who practices kicking instead of watching accusations, stand-offs, the famous Sebastien Chabal and others.

England players produced a V formation during the haka ahead of their incredible World Cup semi-final victory over the All Blacks in Japan in 2019 and all eyes will be on them on Saturday after the controversy sparked by Marler’s comments this week.

“We will talk about it later, we have a meeting and we will see what the craic is,” said England prop Ellis Genge on Friday.

“We’re not going to start climbing on the shoulder, but we’re going to sit there respectfully and watch.

“I’ve only faced it once (in 2022). It’s huge in the history of the game. Most people who don’t really like rugby still know what the haka is.

“It’s a big part of rugby in general. I know some people are divided, but I really enjoy it. It’s a bit of a challenge. I’m a big fan.

“Are you not allowed to go forward to that? I don’t understand the decision. It’s a good part of the game and I don’t think we should get rid of it.

“I think you have to be able to respond, but everybody respects it when they do it. I don’t think we’ve seen anybody take Michael.

“I’m very happy with his impact, but the challenge isn’t it? Obviously we want Twickenham at his feet regardless of whether there’s a haka or not. I’m sure he’ll make an impact in his own way.”