Howlett pondering Haka response

NEW ZEALAND’S top try scorer Doug Howlett could have a shock in store for his beloved All Blacks when they take on Munster in Thomond Park on Tuesday.

It’s possible Munster might try to match New Zealand with a version of the Haka, but Howlett insists it wouldn’t be intended as an insult.

Ahead of this eagerly awaited encounter, a repeat of the 1978 game when Munster stunned the rugby world with a 12-0 win, Howlett said he would look to Maori expert Rua Tipoki for guidance.

The Haka has sometimes courted controversy. There was the famous time at Lansdowne Road when Irish captain Willie Anderson was alleged to have insulted the Maori by moving towards the visitors as they performed the ritual. The then New Zealand captain Wayne Shelford was accused of bringing the Haka to unprecedented levels of intimidation during his reign, but he always argued it was just a challenge to be treated in a respectful manner by opponents.

Howlett admits to having experienced different reactions: “I’ve formed the Haka many times but was never to the forefront, so we might have to consult our resident Maori, Rua, to come up with the correct response.’’

So what’s the best way to deal with it? Howlett admitted to being somewhat confused, saying: “I suppose it depends on how you have been brought up and your understanding of the Maori culture. Back home it’s not uncommon to Haka back, which is probably the correct response.”

If that happens, Howlett insisted that it wouldn’t be done in isolation by himself, Tipoki and Mafi. He said: “To Haka back is certainly an option but I would be thinking of recruiting all of the other guys in the squad if that were to happen!”

The Haka aside, Howlett is excited about the game. “In the rugby context it’s the type of game that may never happen again, it’s a one-off, the biggest game that some of our Munster players will ever get a chance to play in; from that perspective it’s especially important,” he said.

It’s amazing that 30 years have elapsed since Munster’s last meeting with New Zealand, but that may change if the International Rugby Board (IRB) succeeds in getting agreement on proposals for future tours. Those proposals suggest a return, in part, to more traditional tours involving games against local teams rather than just jetting in and out for Test rugby.

Howlett wouldn’t mind a return to the old days but admits to reservations. “I think you only have to look to get the excitement in Limerick this week, because the All Blacks are coming to town.

“The other side of that, of course, is that it’s a tough season for players these days, there are matches nearly every week and they bring a lot of pressure. It certainly would have to be managed very well and the squads travelling overseas would have to be bigger to take account of any extra matches. Yet, there is no doubt that it would serve to raise the profile of rugby and that’s important too,” he said.

Howlett has already been in touch with some of his former colleagues. “The texts have been flying, but while the guys are very excited to be here, they’re totally focused on Saturday for starters. We won’t know the team we’re going to face on Tuesday until the weekend, but I reckon it will be close enough to the team that played Scotland.

“Given that they put 30 plus points on Scotland gives us an indication of how difficult it will be, but we’re going out there with a positive attitude and in the belief that it is a game we can win.”