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'I was wired': Ex-Ireland skipper on infamous All Blacks haka row

(Photo by Jim O'Kelly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Former Ireland skipper Willie Anderson has revealed how ex-All Blacks captain Andy Leslie unwittingly gave him the idea to infamously confront the haka by marching forward towards Buck Shelford’s team in Dublin in 1989. The 66-year-old Irishman has just written his autobiography, Crossing The Line, and graphic details of the now 32-year-old Lansdowne Road bust-up are contained in it.

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Anderson created headlines around the rugby world when he led a V-shaped Ireland advance over the halfway line which resulted in them going nose to nose pre-game with Shelford’s New Zealand.

It was an incredibly raucous piece of theatre but what has now emerged in a book that is being published this month by Reach Sport (click here to purchase) is that the seed for Ireland’s confrontational approach was planted by Andy Leslie, the ten-cap ex-All Blacks skipper who went on to live in Limerick in the early 1990s where he coached Garryowen in the early days of the All Ireland League.

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How to handle the haka was on the top of the to-do list of Jimmy Davidson, the Ireland coach at the time, and how Munster had lined up directly opposite the All Blacks at Musgrave Park in 1989 dominated the conversation between the coach and Anderson on their drive home from that match in Cork.

In the end, though, what Ireland decided to do with the haka for the subsequent Test match versus the All Blacks stemmed from a casual chat with Leslie. “In the week of the game we got some interesting insight from Andy Leslie, the former New Zealand captain,” wrote Anderson in The Flag, the Haka and Facing My Life, the entertaining book of his life and times written in collaboration with Brendan Fanning.

“Jimmy knew him [Leslie] well from Ireland’s tour to NZ in 1976. Andy was in town leading a supporters group and we met up for a chat. Off his own bat, Andy mentioned how the All Blacks loved it when teams wouldn’t meet the challenge of the haka full-on. Better still if they conceded ground. ‘It’s like we’re taking your territory – that’s the mental advantage,’ he said.

“Andy wasn’t giving us advice. He had no idea what we planned, but the moment the words came out of his mouth I could hear the wheels spinning in Jimmy’s brain… The plan was to link arms on the halfway line, look them in the eye, and stand our ground. I was wired. From the moment the All Blacks were getting into their wee shape my focus was locked on Shelford. I started shouting at him: ‘We’re gonna bate ye! We’re gonna bate ye!’

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“Then I started inching my way forwards towards him. He had the loosehead prop, Steve McDowell, sharing the leadership role. They were out in front with the rest of the team spread out behind them. Shelford was already halfway to ‘Kamate Kamate’ land with his nostrils flaring and eyes bulging. And I was en route to joining him.

“The march forward was spur of the moment stuff. It just felt right. They were able to stomp their feet and make all sorts of gestures and we had to stand there and admire them? No, I wasn’t having that. But it rattled some of our lads who weren’t sure how this was going to end Davy (Irwin) and Phil (Orr) managed to find a balance between supporting the cause and not starting World War 3!

“Not easy in the circumstances. If anyone had taken my lead it would have been mayhem,” reckoned Anderson, the no-nonsense second row who was capped on 27 occasions by Ireland before embarking on a varied coaching career that included stints with Dungannon, London Irish, Leinster, Scotland and his native Ulster.

“I wasn’t thinking about that at the time. It was incredible how quickly the mood escalated. In an instant, the crowd were on board and my heart was beating out of my chest. Thankfully we hadn’t made contact before Shelford got to the last line, by which point the crowd were going mental. I was nose to nose with him. McDowell was pretty close to Nick Popplewell, a few yards to my left, who was winning his first cap.

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“As it all broke up Sean Fitzpatrick was hovering with a menacing look on his face. We didn’t budge as the All Blacks broke up to take up their positions for the kick-off. That wasn’t planned either but the wee pause added dramatic effect. Then we broke ranks and I waved my arms to encourage the crowd as we went to receive the kick. The noise was incredible. Honestly, I’ve never been as pumped in all my life. My adrenaline rating would have been off the charts.”

Ireland’s confrontation of the haka ultimately didn’t work in their favour as the All Blacks ran out winners on a 23-6 scoreline. “When the media asked me about it I said New Zealand won the game and we won the dance,” continued Anderson. “On the day they recovered quickly enough to win well. That’s what good teams do, and they were excellent.”

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TI 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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