Italian Kiwis mulling Haka ‘challenge’ to All Blacks
Rugby World Cup 2023
Lining up against the All Blacks in Lyon on Friday will be a special occasion for Italy forwards Toa Halafihi and Hame Faiva.
Both players were born in New Zealand, both have represented the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Faiva even played for New Zealand under-20s at the Junior World Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Facing New Zealand will give both players the chance to experience the famous Haka ceremonial dance performed by the All Blacks before a match, but as an opposition player rather than a participant.
Performing the Haka “is an amazing feeling, you can’t (describe) it,” hooker Faiva, who performed the pre-match routine for New Zealand at two Junior World Championships, told AFP.
“To be facing the Haka this week ... and to see my friends from the All Blacks doing it, it’s going to be a cool experience.”
No 8 Halafihi says he is not sure he will just stand and watch the All Blacks before Friday’s Pool A match.
“Me and Hame have been talking about doing a Haka back, just the two of us!” he quipped.
“But jokes aside, it will be very emotional if we do get the chance to suit up on the field. It would definitely be an honour to face up against what we grew up watching.”
As for performing the Haka themselves, Halafihi has not ruled it out.
“I think it would almost be a challenge because they have laid down the challenge of the Haka and if we do the Haka back it would definitely raise the stakes a little more.”
• Coach Kieran Crowley has reverted back to almost the same Italy side which defeated Namibia, which sees Paolo Garbisi back at flyhalf, Tommaso Allan in the fullback position and wing Ange Capuozzo as part of their attacking backline selection.
The only change from that opening 52-8 win over Namibia sees prop Marco Riccioni, who played in the victory over Uruguay, in for Simone Ferrari.
Faiva and Halafihi were both selected on the bench.
The two sides have met on 15 occasions, and New Zealand have won them all.
Italy still have one more game after this, when they face hosts France, again in Lyon, on October 6.
– SuperSport/AFP
Both players were born in New Zealand, both have represented the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Faiva even played for New Zealand under-20s at the Junior World Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Facing New Zealand will give both players the chance to experience the famous Haka ceremonial dance performed by the All Blacks before a match, but as an opposition player rather than a participant.
Performing the Haka “is an amazing feeling, you can’t (describe) it,” hooker Faiva, who performed the pre-match routine for New Zealand at two Junior World Championships, told AFP.
“To be facing the Haka this week ... and to see my friends from the All Blacks doing it, it’s going to be a cool experience.”
No 8 Halafihi says he is not sure he will just stand and watch the All Blacks before Friday’s Pool A match.
“Me and Hame have been talking about doing a Haka back, just the two of us!” he quipped.
“But jokes aside, it will be very emotional if we do get the chance to suit up on the field. It would definitely be an honour to face up against what we grew up watching.”
As for performing the Haka themselves, Halafihi has not ruled it out.
“I think it would almost be a challenge because they have laid down the challenge of the Haka and if we do the Haka back it would definitely raise the stakes a little more.”
• Coach Kieran Crowley has reverted back to almost the same Italy side which defeated Namibia, which sees Paolo Garbisi back at flyhalf, Tommaso Allan in the fullback position and wing Ange Capuozzo as part of their attacking backline selection.
The only change from that opening 52-8 win over Namibia sees prop Marco Riccioni, who played in the victory over Uruguay, in for Simone Ferrari.
Faiva and Halafihi were both selected on the bench.
The two sides have met on 15 occasions, and New Zealand have won them all.
Italy still have one more game after this, when they face hosts France, again in Lyon, on October 6.
– SuperSport/AFP
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