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Scott Robertson’s frank take on controversial South African response to haka
By Finn Morton
Scott Robertson took a couple of seconds to think after being asked about the Ellis Park crowd’s behaviour during the All Blacks’ haka. As TJ Perenara led the team on Saturday, it was more than just the crowd that drowned out the visitors’ pre-match tradition.
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The All Blacks wore black armbands to acknowledge the passing of Maori King Tuheitia, with Perenara also paying respect to the late King by saying a prayer. But then it was time for the haka, with the New Zealanders laying down the challenge with Kapa o Pango.
To an extent, a hostile reception was always expected from a passionate Johannesburg crowd of about 60,000. It’s one of the toughest venues for away teams to visit in Test rugby for a reason, but the reaction has still come under fire.
Flyhalf Damian McKenzie certainly didn’t agree with the crowd’s behaviour during that moment after playing in Johannesburg for the first time. It wasn’t just boos or cheers from the crowd, music began to play at the world-famous venue as well.
But the one moment that couldn’t go unnoticed was the iconic plane flyover just before kick-off. It might’ve been unfortunate timing for the Emirates jet to fly over during the haka, but it was still a moment that ruffled some feathers.
“It’s a pretty iconic tradition, isn’t it, in our game, and everyone has their own way with receiving it,” Robertson told reporters on Sunday morning.
“We’d prepared for that, it wasn’t the first time. They try and take their advantage on it, take away our advantage they believe that we’ve got in the haka, and I think it just adds to the theatre of all.
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“It’s not going to change so you just embrace it.”
The All Blacks didn’t let that moment distract them from the challenge that awaited. Just a few moments after the haka, a highly anticipated Rugby World Cup Final ‘rematch’ between two of the sport’s greatest rivals got underway at an iconic venue.
New Zealand looked far more threatening early on, with backrower Ethan Blackadder coming close to scoring on two occasions inside the opening 10 minutes. That set the tone for the early exchanges, with Codie Taylor eventually breaking the deadlock from a rolling maul.
Caleb Clarke scored a try late in the first half, and the winger was back on the scoresheet early in the second term. In between those two scores, Jordie Barrett had raced away for an intercept try that put the visitors in good stead.
But whether it was the altitude, the experience of the Springboks’ bomb squad’ off the bench or a combination of the two, the All Blacks couldn’t hold onto their 27-17 lead with less than 15 minutes left to run on the clock.
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Replacement prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was sent to the sin bin and the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage with Kwagga Smith and Grant William scoring decisive tries late in the piece. It was one that got away from the All Blacks as they’ll be left to rue what could’ve been.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity to win probably the biggest Test in the hardest place to win a Test in world rugby which is Joburg,” Robertson said.
“There was so much good and then there were a couple of moments that didn’t quite go our way, a couple of swing moments and that’s footy, that’s Test footy, that’s the big stage.
“There was just some individual moments and just around that maul and just a little bit of offside stuff,” he had explained earlier in the press conference after being asked about the penalty count.
“They did put pressure in different areas and you’ve just got to be cleaner, you’ve just got to trust your system and yourself and minimise all those opportunities for them to be in your 22.
“Look, there’s some pretty upset boys and really, really upset changing room because we knew some key moments that we didn’t own in that past 15 but we had such a brilliant 65 (minutes) in their efforts and our ball play and everything.
“Our job now is to make sure that we deal with the things that we can get better (at) but also acknowledge what we did well.”
I found it disgraceful, made me squirm in embarrassment being a Bok Supporter. We were always taught at school/Rugby to respect the opponent. As for booing the kicker a disgraceful trend worldwide. The old values are unfortunately being destroyed.
Funny what upsets people. Waikato have cowbells sometimes and that drives some people nuts.
Lots of people hated the loud comments of English supporters in foreign pubs - so much so they would cheer for any opposition.
Fake injuries will do it for me and messages attached to an army of waterboys.
I still cant understand why kiwis believe it is the Allblacks god given right to perform the haka on foreign soil. Fair enough on your own soil go for gold but on foreign soil you should only perform the haka if asked to by the opposing team. Otherwise why arent all teams allowed to perform their own culturally significant rituals (if they have them) before all games they play. It just feels like an entitlement that the Allblacks have that no one else has.
U really think that we believe it's our God given right ..come on mate it's Tradition ..watch Samoa..Fiji.. Play ..we don't care if other people do their thing ..
France could break dance (see Olympics) and RSA can Kwaito
Include Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands in your rant. It's tradition and if England want to introduce Morris Dancing then go ahead. Japanese go around and bow to the crowd at the match ending.
People who get upset by the haka have underlying reasons, such as thinking the haka has some mystical power or just a dislike of the ABs.
As a Kiwi I'm greatly in favour of the haka, but really don't agree with those who get all worked up about it giving ABs an advantage. The home nations in particular make such a fuss of what their response will be that they end up giving us an advantage. It's a challenge for times of war- war doesn't respect cultural sensitivities. Crack on with the haka no matter what the other side or crowd are doing.
DJ to much, but the plane and singing of ole I think is turning into a tradition it self, all blacks need to deal with it just as other teams have to deal with the haka.
Great spectical
That "Ole" has been borrowed from Waikato who sang Mooloo Ole Ole etc. An outrage! :)
At least the Saffas don't have those hypocritical "respect the kicker" signs at their stadiums lol.
Interesting fun fact - Protocol for haka etc in tests outside RWCs is the host nation issues invite, NZ, Fiji, etc accept or decline.
Spectators are free to respond however, which is fine. But I don't really see the point of 60,000 people drowning out 23 people tbh.
Silence of the lambs on goalkicks but erupt if they think its a forward pass, high tackle or another problem by the visitors / opposition. No problems with trying to influence the ref though.
funny how you lot voted and helped to bring down the previous government. The people of South Africa now have majority rule and you are still complaining about 60,000 vs 23. Majority rules, you helped to set it up.
The opposite team and their fans can respond however they like. But the plane and DJ definitely crossed the line and were unnecessary.
Agree, except i'd like to believe the planes timing was unfortunate, but that DJ deserves to be stood in front of the next Haka.
Kind of hoping they stuffed up the timing with the plane, can respect the crowd can do and act however they feel,but the DJ was definitely on the arrogant side. Still possibly used by the abs as motivation, they certainly came out of the blocks full of fire.
This is the Collesium of rugby. The Fans will behave as they behave. We will haka as we do. This is a battle.
Josh Kronfeld did a nice description of what it's like playing the Springboks at Ellis Park a few years ago. Check it out on YT.
I love the haka, and I love it when the opposing team responds in some way. It is a perfect match for the aggressive nature of rugby. The crowd, the DJ, the plane responses - not so much.
Its team v team. It's a call to battle for both teams. Nothing sneaky - here we are, here we come, are you ready? Not unlike a duel or WWF or weighing at the boxing. Don't need the crowd or 737s. In fact rugby anywhere doesn't need the DJs or the "music".
The DJ was just disrespectful
Great attitude Razor. It is what it is.