Top rugby scribe says All Blacks' haka should be scrapped

Cape Town - A renowned Irish rugby scribe has suggested that the All Blacks should not be allowed to perform the haka prior to Test matches.

Ewan MacKenna, writing for the Pundit Arena website, said the haka gives New Zealand "an unfair advantage" and "needs to stop".

In the article he also hits out at World Rugby's regulation that opposition teams must stand on their own 10m line when facing the haka and why they were not allowed to react as they'd like.

"We know this because, in 2011, the French federation were fined £10 000 for having the nerve to shuffle forward aggressively as a response," Mackenna wrote.

"We know this because our own authorities needed special dispensation to form the figure eight in memory of Anthony Foley when facing it in Chicago (in 2016).

"We know this because they fawned a diplomatic incident when Brian O’Driscoll had the sheer temerity to hurl some blades of grass into the air."

He also gave a practical reason why the haka should be scrapped.

"While it provides a psychological edge through self-inspiration and via an attempt at opponent intimidation, it also provides a small physical edge as others are forced to stand still and go briefly cold."

MacKenna said he did not back his countrymen to go deep enough in the World Cup to face the All Blacks, but if they somehow managed, he had some advice on facing the haka: "(They) should spend their time doing stretches and engaging in drills and practicing kicks".

Ireland, who thumped Scotland 27-3 at the weekend, are likely to top Pool A and look set to face the Springboks in the quarter-finals.

If, as expected, the All Blacks top Pool B they would likely only meet the Irish in the final.

MacKenna revealed he received hefty criticism for his article, saying on Twitter he's "enraged the idiocy of New Zealand".

Christ, I've enraged the idiocy of New Zealand. "Heritage". "Pride". "Warriors". "History". "Culture". Eh no, it's marketing and exploitation. Because if any of above nonsense wasn't via modern marketing campaign, this Haka wouldn't exist so recently.https://t.co/AQ2YSBMJRM

— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 25, 2019