 The "throat-slitting" gesture can easily be misinterpreted |
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has hit back in the row over their new haka, which was introduced last year. Australia boss John Connolly has laid into the Kapa O Pango, which features an apparent "throat-slitting gesture", ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations match.
In Maori culture the gesture is an energising one and Henry said: "We don't have the arrogance to tell them what they're doing wrong.
"I think it's a smokescreen for the Test match on Saturday, quite frankly."
On Thursday Connolly said that while he did not have a problem with the traditional Ka Mate haka, he was unhappy about a certain aspect of the Kapa O Pango haka.
"As custodians of the game, we are continually talking about setting an example to young players and throat-slitting probably doesn't send a good message," Connolly said.
A testy Henry dismissed Connolly's concerns, insisting: "We take role modelling seriously.
"The actions in the haka are traditional Maori actions and what you interpret might be quite different to what they really mean," he said.
"All those things have been gone into in great depth by people who make good decisions, by people who are responsible for the game in New Zealand."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said they would have no hesitation about performing the Kapa O Panga in Brisbane.
"The haka is about where we come from as New Zealanders and it's about what feels right for us. It doesn't matter who we're playing against, it's what we feel's right," he said.
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The haka is about where we come from as New Zealanders and it's about what feels right for us