All Blacks Legend Christian Cullen Sets The Record Straight About Controversial Ireland Haka

Former All Black Craig Dowd made headlines yesterday after he slammed the All Black’s use of the Kapa O Pango haka against Ireland.

The game marked the first time Ireland had played a test match following the tragic passing of Anthony Foley.

Ireland lined up in a figure of eight as they faced New Zealand, but Down has said that the wrong choice of Haka was used.

“I have to say I watched the haka and cringed,” wrote Dowd in a column for ESPN.

“Someone didn’t do their homework in the All Blacks camp.

“Knowing a little bit about the Irish mentality and having had a 64-Test cap veteran and ex-Munster coach Anthony Foley die recently, with all the players wearing black armbands and having a moment’s silence for him before the game, and knowing what that meant to the Irish team and the public, I thought pulling out the Kapa O Pango haka was disrespectful.

SKY Sport New Zealand’s The Breakdown have taken issue with Craig Dowd’s assessment, claiming that it was in fact the complete opposite.

Scotty Stevenson was frustrated by Dowd’s assessment, as he and guests labelled it “extremely ignorant” and “factually incorrect”, and said that Kapa O Pango is purely ceremonial and not a war challenge, as Dowd has stated.

All Black legend Christian Cullen added:

“That’s a mark of respect for the Irish, for ‘Axel’ Foley… they bring it out (Kapa O Pango) for special occasions, when they know it’s gonna be a challenge.”

Now there you have it. Now can we please put this to bed and get back to the rugby?