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Wales' electric haka response (From South Wales Argus)
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Wales' electric haka response
6:10am Monday 24th November 2008
NEVER before has the haka been faced down as it was by Wales on Saturday in a blood-tingling bonanza before kick-off at the Millennium Stadium, more than living up to pre-match predictions that something special was in the air.
The roof was shut and flames shot up into the air all around the ground as Wales emerged from the tunnel in a cloud of red smoke.
The anthems were duly sung and the noise reached a crescendo as the All Blacks performed their blood-curdling haka, but the challenge laid down was not so much resisted as hurled back at them.
For the 22 Welsh players lined up against them refused to move an inch, they just held their ground as the atmosphere built and built.
The All Blacks were clearly rattled as they expected Wales to just turn away and get on with the game, but they point-blank refused and referee Jonathan Kaplan dashed from one side of the halfway line to the other, trying to get the game started.
Sensing something quite different was happening, the noise from the crowd just grew and grew as one side waited for the other to blink first.
Eventually it was the All Blacks who were forced to give ground, one or two of their players even applauding the unprecedented response to the traditional haka.
“We wanted to show it was our stadium, our pitch and our fans’ pitch,” explained Wales captain Ryan Jones after the game. “It was something we came up with during the week. We weren’t prepared to give up the ground and we showed that in the opening exchanges of the game.
“We were confident going into it. We had belief in the heart and soul of this team and the individuals who wore the jersey.”
But he added: “If we tighten up on some of the technical things and don’t give the best team in the world too much territory through our indiscipline we won’t be a million miles away.
“It’s a bitterly disappointed changing-room. As individuals and as a group we have got to review this and move on.”
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Your Say YourGwent
Dai the Milk, Newport says...
11:21pm Mon 24 Nov 08
1. Self belief. The AB's, Boks and Wallabies (much like the Germans at football) actually belive they are better than the opposition. We believe we are second best. Always have done. We need to change our mind set. The SH teams play till the final whistle. They dont only stick the knife in. They enjoy turning it too.
2. Strength in depth. In NZ,rugby is THE game. For every Dan Carter there is another one, two, even three waiting in the wings. How many players are queuing up in Wales to replace our current stock? Think of the Canada game. We urgently need to expand our playing base. Too much emphasis on 'elitism' in junior rugby not enough on participation. We dont allow for late developers and write people off too soon. The worst offenders are the WRU development/destruct
ion officers.
Your sayYour Gwent
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Mervyn James, Newport says...
3:54pm Mon 24 Nov 08
After 10 minutes of the second half I wanted to go on myself and shake someone...