Among the most well-known hakas of the professional era is this one.
Haka. Possibly the most recognisable feature of rugby, it’s a custom that goes beyond athletic bounds to provide a spectacle that appeals to all.
England’s 2019 fight against the All Blacks and Wales’ historic standoff at the Millennium Stadium come to mind when one thinks about memorable haka moments.
However, it appears that the internet has spoken its opinions about which haka is the most memorable based on raw watching numbers. With an incredible 81 million views, New Zealand’s haka against France from the 2011 Rugby World Cup is the most-watched haka video on YouTube.
And this game included quite a number of the greatest rugby players ever.
The players who played for New Zealand that day included Piri Weepu, Richie McCaw, and Ma’a Nonu; the latter led the ‘Ka Mate’ haka in the video. Famous half-back Morgan Parra and famous captain Thierry Dusatoir were among the French players that faced the Maori war dance in Test matches.
However, France did not merely observe. They questioned the powerful Kiwi tradition, much like Wales did in 2008. The French prepared for combat and marched forward to face the All Blacks, forming a V-shape that England would adopt eight years later. As Weepu led the pack, the tension on the ground was evident.
This clip was thought to be the most-viewed haka video of any kind until a few months ago. But last month, the Maori party protested a proposed new measure in the New Zealand parliament by performing a haka in front of other MPs.
That video has received 26 million likes and over half a billion views.
