The haka is a traditional New Zealand Māori challenge, made famous by the All Blacks national rugby side. That doesn’t mean junior players can’t do it just as well.
A video has been released the Taranaki Whanui Maori Rugby League showing a junior team doing a haka of their own that would make the mighty All Blacks proud.
In it they salute ancient Māori culture and a war dance that was traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace.
They may only have won two out of five games of their tournament that preceded their haka on Sunday, but the parents of the 11-year-old players couldn’t be happier.
“It’s mind blowing to watch the commitment they give to it. The chills you get from the mana [spirit] of it all,” the side’s coach and mother of player Jax Morgan, Belinda Morgan, said.
“They are pretty fierce and staunch about where they are from and what they represent.
“The parents are just blown away. They are just so proud. It’s a pretty proud feeling to see your children up there giving it their all.”
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