Australia mean business against All Blacks with epic response to Haka
It was quite an emotionally charged Haka by the All Blacks in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of their first Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia, but the Wallabies fought fire with fire.
James Slipper’s side set up in an arrow formation during the visitors’ performance of Ka Mate, but marched forward midway through to meet the All Blacks. This is a pretty incredible response to the All Blacks’ challenge, and usually sets up for an intense match. The Wallabies were actually careful not to get in trouble with this though, as teams have before, by stepping into the All Blacks’ half. Teams have stepped over the halfway whitewash before and incurred some fairly hefty fines.
Take a look at Australia’s response at Marvel Stadium:
Auahi Ana! | How good was that!
🎥 @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/7KaXSetChk
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 15, 2022
This was not too dissimilar to England’s response to the Haka ahead of their meeting with the All Blacks at the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final, and everyone in New Zealand will not have fond memories of how that one unfolded.
This was England’s response:
Wallabies XV to play New Zealand at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
1. James Slipper (c) (121 Tests)
2. David Porecki (5 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (58 Tests)
4. Jed Holloway (4 Tests)
5. Matt Philip (26 Tests)
6. Rob Leota (12 Tests)
7. Pete Samu (26 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (25 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (14 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (71 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (49 Tests)
12. Lalakai Foketi (2 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (19 Tests)
14. Tom Wright (16 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (16 Tests)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (31 Tests)
17. Scott Sio (73 Tests)
18. Pone Fa’amausili (1 Test)
19. Darcy Swain (15 Tests)
20. Fraser McReight (6 Tests)
21. Nic White (54 Tests)
22. Reece Hodge (59 Tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (20 Tests)
All Blacks XV
1. Ethan de Groot (8)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (15)
3. Tyrel Lomax (18)
4. Brodie Retallick (96)
5. Samuel Whitelock (138)
6. Scott Barrett (54)
7. Sam Cane © (84)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (10)
9. Aaron Smith (109)
10 .Richie Mo’unga (39)
11. Caleb Clarke (9)
12. David Havili (20)
13. Rieko Ioane (54)
14. Will Jordan (19)
15. Jordie Barrett (43)
Replacements
16. Dane Coles (83)
17. George Bower (18)
18. Fletcher Newell (3)
19. Akira Ioane (17)
20. Dalton Papali’i (16)
21. Finlay Christie (10)
22. Beauden Barrett (107)
23. Quinn Tupaea (13)
