Ireland fans' controversial haka response as England's 'crass' behaviour angers

Ireland's players will face the Haka before going toe-to-toe with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.

There is often controversy before a ball is even kicked with games involving the All Blacks due to how supporters inside the stadium react to the haka.

TV pundit and former rugby coach Matt Williams hit out at England's fans in his Irish Times column over how they attempted to drown out the haka ahead of New Zealand's 24-22 at Twickenham last Saturday.

READ MORE:Ireland v New Zealand: A tale of seven Ireland related hakas

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He wrote: "I deeply enjoyed the Kiwis’ triumph against England last weekend, mainly because of the lack of respect handed out to the men in black leading up to the match. The behaviour of their English hosts can at best be described as crass.

"The fact that the English RFU could not find a few quid to hire a vocalist to sing the Kiwi anthem God Defend New Zealand was an embarrassment. Far beneath the standards of respect that I experienced with teams visiting Twickenham.

"You will not be surprised to learn that the RFU had a baritone belting out God Save the King.

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"The home crowd doubled down when they attempted to drown out the haka by singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot. This jingoistically ugly act still did not match the cringeworthy depths of the South Africans, who had their sponsors provide a low level flyover of an A380 airliner as the haka was being performed at this year’s Test at Ellis Park.

"As George Ford’s last-second drop goal sailed to the right of the posts, one word sprang to my mind. Karma."

Ireland fans also caused controversy when they drowned out the haka by singing The Fields of Athenry when the sides last met in Dublin in 2021, with a number of people complaining on social media.

One person at the time said: "Lads, I want to hear the Haka with silence like it used to be. We’re supposed to be some of the most respectful fans in the world and there we are chiming in with ‘Athenry’. I’m not into it."

Another commented: "Bit disrespectful to start singing during the Haka lads...I don't think the haka should be allowed at the World Cup or competitive matches but respect it when on tour."

Someone else added: "Maybe it's just me but I found the singing of 'The fields of Athenry' while the All Black's were in the middle of the Haka disrespectful and disappointing."

Ryan Tubridy even weighed into the debate as he defended Irish fans for their reaction to the war dance, saying: "I was lucky to be there and it was amazing because the haka was going on and you could hear it in the crowd.

"When the haka is going on, you can either do one or two things - go deathly silent and let them off or, as happened in the stadium the other day, actually we're going to out hak you ourselves with our song, The Fields of Athenry.

"I know a few people were trying to [shush those who were singing], but actually it felt like all is fair in rugby and war.

"They're doing their thing, this is our haka so suck it up boys and if you don't like it get out."

He added: "I was in two minds but the more it went on the more I said 'well hang on they're doing this war dance, why can't we have a war cry?' It's fun."

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