ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

History repeats itself as All Blacks Haka and Tongan Sipi Tau get set to face off

BY Grant Constable  ·  Friday Oct 9, 2015

The All Blacks and Tonga meet in today’s only game of the RWC, the last match for each side in the pool stages. While Tonga’s tournament is all but over, they will be sure to take it to their not too distant neighbours, particularly when it comes to the pre-match war dances.

Tonight will be the third ever World Cup meeting between the two sides, as St James’ Park in Newcastle will be treated to a thrilling spectacle just before kickoff, when the two sides go head to head with the Haka and Sipi Tau respectively.

Here is a quick look at the last two times they met, and how that went down.

2003 Rugby World Cup

At the 2003 tournament Tonga and New Zealand met in the pool stages at Suncorp Stadium, and what took place will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic moments of the showpiece event.

As both sides lined up and Carlos Spencer led the All Blacks Haka, nobody realised that Tonga would respond with their Sipi Tau a few seconds later, creating a spectacular scene that had both sides going for it at the same time.

Back then teams didn’t have to be separated by a certain amount of meters either, so the two sides got within spitting distance of one another, and history was made.

2011 Rugby World Cup

At the last World Cup in New Zealand, both sides met again in the opening match of the tournament. Everyone watched and wondered if the same scenes would be repeated, but on that occassion Tonga went first, with the All Blacks allowing them to finish before starting the Ka Mate.

Again, it was another stirring renditon by both sides and a great way to start the tournament.

Sipi Tau against the HakaTonga and New Zealand met on the opening night of #RWC2011 – four years on and they meet at St James’ Park in both of their final pool matches of #RWC2015We expect more fireworks #NZLvTGA

Posted by Rugby World Cup on Friday, October 9, 2015

2015 Rugby World Cup

We don’t know what will happen tonight, but due to the rules put in place by the IRB a few years back, both sides will no doubt stand on their 10m lines and go for it from there. Will we ever see a repeat of that famous moment back in 2003?

“I think for the island nations because it’s a war dance you pretty much expect to do it at the same time,” says Tonga’s Siale Piutau. “It’s a face-off. I think now when the All Blacks do it to nations that don’t have a haka, they accept it and take the challenge that way.

“We were thinking they would do it at the same time (in 2011), but they stood there and accepted the Sipi Tau and so we stood there and accepted the challenge from the haka. It’s great drama.”

The chances are it was a once off, but whatever happens, and whatever you think of pre-match wardances in general, it’s a unique part of the sport and one that continues to intrigue and entertain fans around the globe.

In today’s edition of RWC Daily they take an insightful deeper look at the Tongan Sipi Tau, and then we get to see a classic try scored by Mils Muliaina for New Zealand in that match in 2003.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    World Cup winner to return after year long...

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby league golden boot star set for huge...

  • 54 WEEKS AGO

    Hurricanes miss the memo as New Zealand clubs...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'I have win!' Mathieu Raynal's hilarious player interaction caught on ref mic

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All