The best pre-match war dance confrontations

Last updated 10:59 05/11/2008

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Over the past month, two of the best traditional pre-match confrontations have taken place in Australia involving Pacific Island and indigenous rugby league players.

The rugby league World Cup has been highlighted so far by the showcasing of war dances by the NZ Maori, Tongan, Samoan and Australian Aboriginal sides in rare games where they have faced each other.

The first confrontation took place as a warm-up to the Kiwis side's opening pool match against Australia where an NZ Maori team faced off against an Australian Dreamtime team.

Secondly, the fierce Pacific rivalry between Tonga and Samoa was brought to life in Penrith during their pre-game statements.

View the two videos below and let us know which confrontation you prefer and if there are any others that have occured the past that rate as highlights in your mind. 

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- © Fairfax NZ News

19 comments
angelo   #19   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

i think the tongan sipi tau was the best out of all of them... as i viewed the war cry from the side line i was privilaged to be a Tongan... MATE MA'A TONGA...

Mini Me   #18   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Why dont the Fijian and PNG teams do their war dances?...they usually have one,it makes the RLWC more of a spectacle be it for a minute or so before the game starts.

Mele Maea   #17   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Tongaaaa Smaashedd Every Team In The War Dances. Tongaaaaa Is The Forceee Of Thee Horce. Mate Maa Tonga

ALLBLACKSTILLIDIE   #16   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

THE NZ MAORIS ONE FOR SURE..BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY THE NZ MAORI RUGBY TEAM HAS THE BEST HAKA FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY KAPA O PAONGA..

Nakmuay   #15   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Muay Thai pre-fight dance beats all.

BNH   #14   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Niue by far

jt   #13   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

liked all the war dances(haka's) but got 2 say the nz maori and indegenous team haka's wer the best. I dont know y the kangaroo's and wallibies dont do something like that.

Bots   #12   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Lets cast our minds back to the pre-colonial days. Samoa and Tonga have a history of conquering one another, which filters down to the classic rivalry you see today. Alas no such luck with the Aborigines and the Maoris. Lets just stick with the good ol Trans-Tasman rivalry shall we? All the props and extras are getting a tad rediculous. Go Samoa!!!!

Ryan Holland   #11   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I like em all, but Niue by far takes the cake!

atothek   #10   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

the best i've seen and been involved in is the haka's before schoolboy rugby games. pretty cool experience having all of new plymouth boys high giving you a haka at their home ground with its steep terraces.


Show 1-9 of 19 comments
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