On a day in which a long-serving former All Black branded New Zealand's haka versus Ireland "disrespectful" within the context of Anthony Foley's death, Irish rugby is bracing itself for two more on-field Maori rituals in the coming fortnight.
The New Zealand Maoris have already arrived in Limerick ahead of their fixture versus Munster beneath Friday night lights at a sold out Thomond Park.
In the spirit of what promises to be another great entry to the odd but fascinating Munster-Kiwi timeline, Munster Rugby decided to run a competition for schools in the promise. The prize was an opportunity to train with the Maori All Blacks squad (which includes two full internationals). The task was to perform the best haka possible to welcome the visitors to Munster soil.
The winners were CBS Clonmel of Tipperary who produced a fairly spine-tingling rendition of the Maori war-dance, with one young man wielding a hurl as he led his class through proceedings.
The result was the most perfect amalgamation of Irish and Maori culture since Hector Ó hEochagáin performed an 'Irish haka' at the end of his 2005 docu-series, Chasing The Lions.
The CBS Clonmel Haka
Today High School CBS Clonmel will train with the Maori @AllBlacks.
Their winning Haka is worth a watch!#HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/8GqVOxQtET— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 9, 2016
Absolutely fair play, boys. That is one hell of an effort. Who said Rockwell were the rugby pride of Tipp?
And sure enough, they were quick to put some of the Maori lads through their paces over in Thomond.
High School CBS Clonmel recruit a few Maori @AllBlacks for @TipperaryGAA!! #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/67WDEoFXBw
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 9, 2016
