What an occasion My emotions are close to tears as they always are listening to the marvellous singing of the Welsh anthem, from a crowd who singly and certainly collectively know, not only the words but know their part in the tradition they play in their support of their team. And then, if this was not enough, came the Haka.
The Haka seems to vary depending on the occasion and this one was one of the best I have seen.
Standing in two rows the All Black players await the call to arms. Ka mate, Ka mate (It is death, It is death) Ka ora, Ka ora (It is life, It is life). A deep throated challenge from the team, crouching down on one knee, they hurl their taunting call toward the opposing team who stand a few yards away impassively waiting. Ka mate, Ka mate, the sinew bursting to the surface, the tension palpable, Ka ora, Ka ora, deep throated, the masculinity and the testosterone is paramount as the tension rises. A deep throated growl from these huge specimens of manhood as they rise to a standing position faces twisted mimicking the representation of their ancestral spirits, tongue splayed to the side they continue to taunt the opposition. Today it is theatre but when Cook stepped ashore it was for real.
The game. Wales played well and held a slender lead until the last quarter but as always it's the last quarter, just when the opposition are feeling the strain that the All Blacks kick in the extra gear and pull away to a comfortable win. We are used to it by now and might even be persuaded to switch channels and watch "Come Dancing", thereby missing the anguish.
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