The Haka: just a song & dance about nothing, intimidation, or a stirring start to a`sporting contest?

You decide!

Here's a view from the stands with all the associated crowd noise, as well as an HD tv version close up.

Does this form of pre-match ritual have a place in sanitised modern sport, does it just rile the opposition or put them off psychologically? 


Do opponents spend time analysing their response to the haka rather than foussing on the first few vital exchanges of the game?


It hasn't always been thus, of course. This 1973 version from the acclaimed Barbarians match in Cardiff looks less threatening, not least because many of the the pakeha (those New Zealanders of non-indiginous descent) appear to be trying to follow the lead of the legendary Bryan Williams.

But even then, listen for the crowd reaction! The crowd goes wild!