There is nothing like the intensity of the All Black haka to get the hairs down the back of 80,000 odd necks standing in firm anticipation.
It is a ferocious invitation to battle by lone men on an open field, no cavalry, no backing band, no fireworks.
Nothing can match it for a pre match aperitif, except maybe, two hakas.
Tonight, when Tonga take on the might of New Zealand, two challenges of war will come face to face in the pre match ritual, the first time seen at Rugby World Cup 2003.
There is more than one dance
While the All Blacks 'Ka Mate' haka has travelled the corners of the globe victoriously, it is not a custom unique to their nation’s rugby team. Fiji has their war dance - the cibi, Manu Samoa has one called the Siva Tau and Tonga have the Ikale Tahi.
New Zealand - The Ka Mate
The famous Ka Mate’s origins stem back to the 19th century most likely to a warrior chief named Te Rauparaha.
However the popularisation of the dance came later when the All Blacks took it on their rugby tour of Great Britain in 1905.
'Ka Mate, Ka Mate' the literal translation of which being ‘I die, I die’ is a song full of the depths and heights (both literal and metaphoric) of human existence, but such powerful connotations are not the sole domain of the All Black dance.
The three pacific islands who participate in RWC 2003 also interpret their own war dance before each match.
Fiji - The cibi
The Fijians pre match performance is the cibi. Pronounced ‘thimbi’ it was first used on the rugby field in 1939, but as a dance, it’s ancient origins are difficult to date. It is believed to have come from a Bauan war cry called cibi ni I valu.
When the Bauan army returned home to Fiji during times when the pacific islands were rife with war, they would perform the moving chant. The cries and actions of the warriors were met on the shore with songs of congratulations by their women.
To this day the same actions and words are used to muster courage before a rugby battle and also to celebrate when they return home.
In 1939 Fiji toured New Zealand under the captaincy of Ratu Sir George Cakobau, and it was the leaders idea to return the haka with a cry of their own.
The first words of the cibi on that tour uttered an ominous warning, Ai tei vovo, tei vovo in English meaning, 'prepare yourself, prepare yourself.'
The All Blacks did not take heed and lost seven out of eight games against the Fijians, drawing the last, a feat no team has ever been able to record since on a tour to New Zealand.
Manu Samoa - Siva Tau
The Samoan version of the haka is called Siva Tau. The true relevance of the Samoan haka emerged in the RWC 1991 when they composed a new version so as to have a stronger psychological impact on their opposing players.
And an impact it had, the small island nation reaching the quarter finals, and repeating that remarkable feat again in 1995.
Since the start of the RWC 2003 the Samoans have won their first two matches in convincing style, first against Uruguay 60-13 then Georgia 46-9. With their next match to be played against England, the warriors of Samoa will have this to say before the match:
Le Manu Samoa ia manu le fai o le faiva
Le Manu Samoa lenei ua ou sau
Leai se isi Manu oi le atu laulau
Ua ou sai nei ma le mea atoa
O lou malosi ua atoatoa
(English version)
The Manu Samoa, may you succeed in your mission The Manu Samoa, here I come
There is no other Manu (team) anywhere
Here I come completely prepared
My strength is at its peak
Make way and move aside
Ikale Tahi
The Tongans have the only cry with specific rugby reference, to be articulated in no uncertain terms for an All Black audience this evening.
'Ei e! Ei e!
Teu lea pea tala ki mamani katoa
Ko e 'ikale tahi kuo halofia
Ke 'ilo 'e he sola moe taka
Koe 'aho ni teu tamate tangata
'A e haafe mo e tautua'a
Kuo hu'i hoku anga tangata
He! He! 'Ei e. Tu
Teu peluki e molo moe foueti taka
Pea ngungu mo ha loto fita'a
Keu mate ai he ko hoku loto
Ko Tonga pe mate ki he moto
Ko Tonga pe mate ki he moto
(English version)
I shall speak to the whole world
The sea eagle is starved
Let the foreigner and sojourner beware
Today, destroyer of souls I am, everywhere
To the half back and the backs
I have shed my human characteristics
He! He! 'Ei e. Tu
Maul and loose forwards I shall mow
And crunch any fierce hearts you know
I drink the ocean and consume the fire
To death or victory my will is fine
That's how Tonga gives to her motto
To her motto, Tonga gives all
To her motto, Tonga gives all
It is all very poetic, but how in the mood for poetry the All Black juggernaut will be is uncertain. Just don’t expect any call for extended readings.