This journo is an idiot. the national Hymn is pathetic, I would sooner the haka be classed as the anthem and that sorry dirge of a poem be filed where it should have been 70 years ago when it was first written, in the round file.

Great. Absolutely fricken fantastic. So all we have to worry about is our national anthem. Tomorrow I wil have a beer, with my mates and discuss how good it was, and where we can improve it. Maybe replacements. Will the anthem be ready for the world cup. Would it be beter if Deans was in charge. Maybe that is why we can't win world cups? Damn this is dumb, beyond belief. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Lets be honest. Our national anthem absolutely sucks. Long, boring and then repeat in english.

I never turn the sound up until the ref blows his whistle to start thr game. I care nothing for the anthem and less for the haka. Just get on with the game

Its fine to expect that the All Blacks belt out the National Anthem but the New Zealanders in the crowd should do the same. I have been to plenty of home test where you can hardly hear the crowd singing. Whats good for one is good for all.

Let's hear it for the "Star Spangle Banner". No one can sing that one right!

What a load of rubbish, if we had a decent national anthem instead of the bland one we do have then maybe (at least it's better than the aussie one...) but this seems like a non issue raised by a journo with nothing better to write about and a looming deadline! It matters to me and no doubt many kiwis and A B's fans globally that they perform the haka well (the challenge), then play well and win the game (the battle).

oh dear ... some rather classic and dismal comments here.

Starter for ten must be that real men don't sing... just what they'd have said at Gallipoli or anywhere else when our people were spilling blood on our behalf I'm sure. I don't think that's something done for our benefit to think about one day a year. I for one want to acknowlege the legacy of those who died laying a foundation and privilige for us to work out later what's what.

I think a sad day for rugby is when when 'fans' fail to recognise that national pride enables people who don't give a shit about your stupid game to share in the occasion and, hopefully, triumph of the event.

And, please, any moron jumping up and down about the sanctity of rugby in nz - please check the ACC stats and tell us all about it ... i.e. you're subsidised to buggery, you 'dole-blugging, no-hoper, loser', or have i quoted out of turn just becuase the boots on a different foot?

Though few ever comment on the appallingly violent rugby commentary - I don't mind watching the game, but aren't that keen to hear about smashing, war, hitting etc or other euphemisms on the way...

Further, if you don't understand the point of an anthem, I genuinely struggle to understand why you what an 'international' test match. Come on. Please. Show some logic. I offer you at least that much respect.

And generally to those other lawnmowing fans (i.e. tall poppy cutters) - a depressingly large number in the classic nz tradition - it's hard not to refer you to FIFA or soccer or 'football' as it's known in almost every other country on earth. . . so, the heads/sand question gentlmen. Let's start to address and undo the embaressing small-minded mentality that this country consistently demonstrates.

Show respect where it's due, inspire us all to rise to occasion, let's build tradition and pride in a country that has generally 'punched above its weight' across the board.

rant over.

If we want the All Blacks to sign the anthem, we should all have o too. Both the English AND Maori versions.

Those clowns probably think they look "staunch" when they stand there, stony-faced, as the anthem is played. What a bunch of dorks! Singing is a pleasant thing to do, even if you're not much chop at holding a tune.